Prior to her diagnosis, LaRae Mena lived a vibrant life. As a human resources professional at a large security company, she balanced a busy schedule of pickleball, choral singing, and regular visits with family. Her life was full, until everything changed over Thanksgiving weekend in 2022.

Florida sun burns down hot. Working outside 14-15 hours a day can be dangerous. Just ask Rodney Updegrave. Rodney burned his shoulder in 2019 while working construction and maintenance in Florida. The small burn from a cigarette ash never properly healed due to exposure to the sun. Instead, it got larger and nastier, until one day Rodney decided he had better see a doctor.

Through the foundation he created over two decades ago, Mickey Minnich has dedicated his life to supporting central Pennsylvania individuals and families battling cancer. Today, Mickey is sharing his own story—a journey that reinforces the very message he has championed for years: no one fights alone.

On Thanksgiving morning last year, 2,800 runners and walkers laced up their sneakers for the 20th annual SMT Turkey Trot in New Cumberland, making it the event’s most successful yet. With a mix of competitive racing and family fun, the Turkey Trot has become a beloved tradition, celebrating community spirit and charitable giving.

In January 2023, Patrick Donnelly, 57, a husband and devoted father of three, received life-altering news. He was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer at Cancer Care Associates of York. This news devastated his family, but Patrick was determined to fight, supported by his family, faith, medical team, and Vickie’s Angel Foundation. His story is truly one of strength. 

Cancer may invade one body, but it impacts whole families.

Paul Mickley has cancer. He's been under treatment since March. He's sick and he's hurting. He's 56, with a wife and five kids. The oldest is married. Just made him a grandpa. The youngest is 9 with special needs. He can't work now. Can't support them.

No woman wants to find a lump in her breast. Especially a 38-year-old single mother who is so steady she has held the same job at a dental practice for 19 years. But it happened to Michelle Mendez in April, and it has turned her life upside down.

When a woman is 33 years old and physically fit, when she focuses on serving healthy food to her family, when she's busy just living life, she doesn't expect a random pain to be cancer. And yet, for Megan Onofrey, that's what happened.

"You gotta do what you gotta do," says George-Ann Sweger, and if she's gotta have surgery on her birthday, then that's what she will do.