We all know what it’s like to get hit by the flu. The muscle aches and fever make us want to stay in bed for a few days until we recuperate. However, for those who are fighting cancer, the flu can lead to far more serious complications.

It was 2005, and 47-year-old Rick Crowley had a lump growing in his neck. The first biopsy indicated that it was benign, but his doctors in Olean, New York, were not convinced. A good thing, too: The second biopsy found cancer.

I tried to ignore the pain and the feeling of being “off.” But one day, after struggling through a few minutes of yet another bad run, I stopped in mid-stride, pulled out my phone, and called my doctor.

Your immune system can detect and destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or unhealthy cells such as cancer cells. So why do you still get sick?

All families have their traditions. In ours, we tend to have big families, with numerous siblings – and a lot of cancer. My father was diagnosed with cancer when he was 44 years old.

Many cancer patients who are in treatment wonder what will happen if their treatment stops working. Here Ellis Levine, MD, Chief of Breast Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses how different factors can affect the options available.

Cancer is confusing, and It’s hard to find the right words to help a child understand such a difficult disease. While we can’t tell you exactly what to say, we hope these books give you a good starting point for open and honest communication. The list includes insightful and educational stories to help your entire family find comfort and inspiration when it’s most needed.

Roswell Park’s Teresa Kishel, Senior Radiation Therapist, went out of her way to provide comfort to patients by offering them a soft, colorful shawl.