Coping with cancer has been a way of life for 48-year-old Joann Meyers. The North Tonawanda native has been treated for three different types of cancer. The first cancer was diagnosed in 1975. Joann was just 16 years old when doctors discovered a malignant tumor on her ovaries. She underwent surgery and two years of chemotherapy and then remained cancer free for eight years. In 1983, during a routine follow-up visit, cancer of the uterus was found. Again, surgery and chemotherapy, followed by 20 full years without cancer.

Fast forward to 2005. Although Joann suspected her cancer had returned, she delayed seeking medical care. Joann ignored the pain and symptoms for as long as she could until one excruciatingly difficult night; Joann’s husband, Mel took her to the emergency room. At the time, a tumor in Joann’s rectum was so large, doctors were unable to operate. For the third time in her life, Joann was facing a cancer diagnosis and she wanted to be treated at Roswell Park.

Her physicians and nurses worked for a month to strengthen Joann’s weakened body to prepare her for another surgery. Ten hours of surgery and two weeks in the hospital were followed by months of chemotherapy. Joann believes she is still here for a reason. “There is work to be done,” she says, “Contributions to the world to be made.”

“I know I am a walking miracle. I have been going to Roswell Park since I was a teenager and I have been cured three times. It is amazing. I am doing great,” Joann exclaims. “I never felt like I was going to die. As sick as I was, I always knew that Roswell Park was going to fix me.”

And as for her care at Roswell Park, Joann can’t say enough about her doctors.

“Some people have sports heroes or movie star idols. My doctors at Roswell Park are the true heroes. Dr. Bullard Dunn is wonderful and Dr. Fakih is the smartest person I know. I am here because these doctors saved my life.”

Joann’s message of hope for the holidays: “It is an awesome feeling to be a survivor. Think about the future, never give up and always, always believe in miracles.”