Surviving Cancer at John Muir Health

There’s no place like John Muir Health.

I’m an employee, community member, patient, and cancer survivor, and I know firsthand about the exceptional care delivered by the most compassionate and detail-oriented physicians at John Muir Health.

I received my devastating diagnosis three years ago. I was only 34 years old at the time and had no family history of breast cancer. I felt a small nodule on my right breast and knew something was not right. A mammogram, an MRI, and, ultimately, a biopsy confirmed my worst fear. I had breast cancer.

I met my oncologist, Dr. Lesley Martin, immediately after my diagnosis. Dr. Martin began my plan for treatment knowing that any delay in care could affect my chance for survival. The thought of not being there for my three children terrified me, but Dr. Martin and her expertise kept me focused on my journey to recovery.

Dr. Martin and the oncology team at John Muir Health explained what the next steps entailed. I had to undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, prescription pills, and monthly hormone shots. The physical and emotional toll cancer had on me was unbearable. My children, however, were my solace.

So was the remarkable support I received from the entire oncology team, but especially from my nurse navigator, Shellie. Her loving spirit was instantly recognizable. I could tell she really cared about me as a person, not just as a cancer patient. She helped me find the strength to beat this disease.

And that spirit of support was prevalent among my entire cancer care team. From my nurse navigator to counselors, other physicians, and staff—I credit every single one of them for providing a level of compassionate care that helped me get through this difficult time.

John Muir Heath’s collaborative approach to treatment helped put my mind at ease. My gynecological oncologist, genetic specialist, and other experts worked as a team to ensure no other areas of concern existed.

John Muir Health is equipped with leading-edge technology and uses new treatments, such as personalized medicine, immunotherapy, and experiential therapeutics, to advance patient care. The new UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Pavilion, opening in February 2024, strengthens local access to high-quality cancer treatment in our own backyard.

Your renewed support ensures that John Muir Health continues to recruit world-class physicians and staff to deliver the most compassionate and excellent patient care.

Every month should be cancer awareness month. Cancer is a scary diagnosis, but at John Muir Health, you are not treated as just another breast, lung, cervical, or colon cancer patient among others—you are treated as an individual and as a whole person. I experienced personalized, exceptional care delivered by kind and expert medical staff focused on my health and wellness.

You are the key to everything we do at John Muir Health in the fight against cancer.

Your continued support will power the next breakthrough in research at John Muir Health…and the next, and the next.
Your support will drive innovative treatments that put us on the leading edge of healing.
Your support will enhance compassionate care at John Muir Health that sustains people emotionally and physically.

As I’ve said, I’m not just a John Muir Health employee, I’m a community member, patient, and cancer survivor. John Muir Health’s care experts turned what could have been an incredibly scary situation into one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

I’m lucky to be a part of this community of health because there’s no place like John Muir Health.

I ask that you join me in making a gift to invest in the physicians at John Muir Health who continue to pursue life-changing treatments and deliver promising outcomes for patients like me.

With gratitude,

Vanessa Lopez