Valentina Londono

Coral Springs, Fla.
Stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma at age 14 in 2011

Today: Londono, 16, is a sophomore with Broward Virtual School. Despite needing chemotherapy to treat a spot on her lung in August 2012 and starting radiation to treat a soft tissue sarcoma this March, Valentina continues to pursue her hobbies, which include drawing and taking photos. One of her best teen moments yet: having Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter escort her last May to A Prom to Remember, an event organized by the Unforgettable Prom Foundation Inc. and held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “It was really amazing,” she says. “You just truly forget about everything. It was a lot of fun.”

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Photo by Jim Foster

Beth Foster

Richmond, Va.
Stage I breast cancer at age 28 in 1999, stage II breast cancer at 39 in 2010

Today: Foster, 42, was recently certified as a life coach and intends to focus her business on life coaching for cancer patients and survivors. She is an avid bike rider who cycles about 30 miles a week. She completed the longest race of her life—65 miles—while halfway through a six-week course of chemotherapy for her second bout with breast cancer in 2010. “I do believe you can create anything with a vision and perseverance,” Foster says. “I will always know that, heck, if I can do this, I can do anything.”

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Photo by Lynne Knowlton

Michael Knowlton

Durham, Ontario
Stage IV Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia at age 46 in 2006

Today: Knowlton, 52, is doing well on Rituxan (rituximab), which is used to treat his very rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This photo was taken in October 2012. That’s when high-dose chemotherapy caused him to begin losing his hair—leading a few of his friends to shave their hair and mustaches at his home in a show of support. “There were a lot of tears shed that night,” says Knowlton (upper right). “It became much more than just supporting me. It was also in support of every cancer patient around the world who had to face the adversity and difficulty of dealing with [this disease].”

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Photo by Beverly Brehl

Beverly Brehl

Salt Lake City
Stage IV breast cancer at age 33 in 2011

Today: Brehl, 35, is the associate director of the Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and an assistant professor of family and consumer studies. Last year, Brehl combined one of her favorite hobbies with cancer fundraising by organizing a Karaoke for the Cure event at Burt’s Tiki Lounge in Salt Lake City. It raised $1,400 for the city’s Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Without question, her favorite activity is spending time with her 2-year-old son, Jack. “I document his life,” she says. “I take a picture of him every day.”