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The New York Times repeat best-selling author Kristin Harmel is no stranger to telling stories. After her recent breast cancer diagnosis, she made the decision to share the news publicly. Her own personal story and message stressing the importance of regular screenings made just as large of an impact as one of her best-selling novels. Today, she can proudly add “breast cancer survivor” to her list of esteemed accolades. She credits the support from her FCS medical oncologist Sonalee K. Shroff, MD and her entire medical team for the world-class care she has received.

After being diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, Brian Belcastro was told he’d need an intensive radiation treatment spanning across nine weeks. After seeking another opinion, he found Dr. Luis Carrascosa at Florida Cancer Specialists’ Ocala Cancer Center, who was able to treat him in 5 sessions. Now, after completing his treatment without side effects, Brian that sharing his experience will encourage other men to get screened and treated if necessary.

After a testicular cancer diagnosis in his late 20s, Ryan Clanton didn’t believe that he’d ever be able to ever have children. Now, against all odds, Ryan is a father and is 15 years cancer-free. He recently reached out to his oncologist, Dr. Lucio Gordan, to update him on how much his life has changed since his initial diagnosis.

After experiencing nervousness and anxiety in waiting rooms during her mother’s cancer journey, Rachel Clark was inspired to make the experience better for others. Now, every month, in her mother’s memory, Rachel delivers a flower and a note to FCS Medical Oncologist/Hematologist Dr. Jennifer Byer to be given to one of her patients that day.

The healthy, active, 54-year-old father of two, John Sodeika, was shocked when he received an advanced gastric cancer diagnosis in 2019. Thanks to his loving family and friends, positive attitude, and treatment from Dr. Rubin, Dr. Wang, and his Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute team, he is off treatment and living his life to the fullest!

No one in Shannon Gunn’s family ever had cancer. Thankfully, she listened to her body and got checked out when she discovered a lump on her breast. After 10 months of aggressive treatment, the marathon runner and fitness trainer completed the Sunshine Skyway 10K race and soon crossed the finish line of the treatment phase of her cancer journey. She is grateful to her Florida Cancer Specialists medical oncologist Dr. Vikas Malhotra and team who, from day one, treated her like family.