Debbie Ann Bonillas
Breast Cancer

I Survived - I'm Alive - I Feel and Look Beautiful.

October 2002, I survived a lumpectomy, 4 series of chemotherapy and 5 1/2 weeks of radiation (everyday). May 2005, I experienced recurring breast cancer, but fortunately

had educated myself and when I was told that I would have to go through treatment again that was when I put my foot down and told the doctor to remove my breasts stating that I am going to kill them first before they kill me. read more...

Terry Sandoval (Caregiver)
Brother: Martin Franco (Colon Rectal Cancer)

I will never forget the Saturday morning in 2003 that changed my life forever. My brother Martin, the baby in our family, called and told me he was diagnosed with cancer (colon rectal cancer). My first reaction was total shock. In the phone conversation with him I tried to stay positive. I reassured him that I would be there for him. But when I hung up the phone, all my emotions took over and I cried. I couldn’t believe that my brother, who was in his early thirties, had cancer! I was scared. read more...

Connie Franco (Caregiver)
Brother: Martin Franco (Colon Rectal Cancer)

I have been involved with the Los Angeles Police Cancer Support Group since mid 2006. When I found out that my brother, Martin had colon rectal cancer, I was in shock. I felt overwhelmed, because I knew how serious cancer was. The first two years of Martin’s treatments, I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions, which, in part, was caused by a fear of the unknown. One day Martin asked me to go to the Los Angeles Police Cancer Support Group meeting with him. He knew that cancer doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed, but affects the whole family. After going to the cancer support group meeting, I realized what a great need there was to help people who were recovering from cancer. read more...

Howard Dwayne Miller
Police Officer Ret. #17311
Pancreatic Cancer

In January 2007, I was diagnosed with “Pancreatic Cancer”. My
Doctors discovered a cancerous tumor located on the head of my pancreas along with other cancer markers. I was referred to USC/Norris Cancer Center downtown Los Angeles and assigned to Dr. Dilip Parekh, Surgeon, USC/ Keck School of Medicine, Department of Surgery. read more...
 

Don Provencio

Sergeant II

Prostate Cancer

Prior to being diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was a Sergeant II, Jail Division Watch Commander with over 31 years of service. My career intentions were to complete a few more years in the DROP program and then call it quits. After a routine annual physical which included PSA blood testing, I was told that I had prostate cancer.  read more...

Detective Amy Sundquist (Caregiver)
Husband Frank: Multiple Myeloma

As Frank’s wife and caregiver, I don’t know exactly where to begin. In October 2005, Frank was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, which is a type of blood cancer that has no cure. His diagnosis was purely coincidental, because he had no symptoms. We were simply updating our life insurance policy, which required Frank to submit to a physical examination and before we knew it, Frank was in the hospital diagnosed with Myeloma and fighting near kidney failure caused by the cancer.  read more...

Lily Ruff
Breast Cancer 1990

In 1990 I, along with Cliff, my husband of sixteen years, were raising our thirteen year old son, Travis. I had a career as a successful investment banker. We had a house in the hills, filled with dogs, cats, and all the good things that life had given us. Life was good. One morning, while getting dressed... read more
 

Mike Thies
D-III (retired ’89) LAPD

Prostate Cancer

Treatments to date: radical prostatectomy (surgery), radiation, hormone therapy
I was diagnosed in 2000 at the age of 56 through a routine PSA blood test. No symptoms were previously experienced. My initial PSA was 9.3 and the post surgical Gleason score was 4+3. These markers indicate a relatively advanced stage of the cancer.  read more...
 

Patrick B.
Motorcycle Officer
35yrs on Dept.

Colon Cancer

I'm in my 2nd round with colon cancer, however it is no longer in the colon. I had a cancerous tumor removed from the colon in 1998 and was cancer free for over 7 years. I was in a preventative chemotherapy regimen for a year afterward, with no evidence of recurrence. However...read more

Detective Chuck Knolls
Robbery Homicide Division

As a child I received radical surgery and massive radiation treatment for cancer of the left parotid gland. I came on the job and I lived cancer free for 43 years. Four years ago I had a sore throat isolated to my left side. read more...