Real Talk, Real Resilience: Hope Stewart on Facing Cancer and Giving Back: Hope Stewart Kicks Off NFCR’s Survivor Series on All Things Cancer
To kick off a mini-series of cancer survivor stories on All Things Cancer, breast cancer survivor and NFCR Community Ambassador Hope Stewart shares her emotional journey, the support that got her through, and the research that saved her life.
When Hope Stewart was first told, “It looks like cancer,” she didn’t hear it in a comforting doctor’s office. She was alone, vulnerable, and spoken about, not to. What followed was a harrowing but ultimately hopeful journey through breast cancer, filled with difficult decisions, physical challenges, and life-changing realizations.
Now, in the newest episode of All Things Cancer, Hope shares her full story with NFCR President and CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba, kicking off our brand-new Survivor Series — a short collection of deeply personal conversations with cancer survivors who’ve turned their experiences into advocacy, action, and inspiration.
Finding Her Voice, and Her People
In the episode, Hope recalls how she quickly realized the importance of advocating for herself. After an impersonal diagnosis experience, she chose to leave her original care provider and seek treatment at Mercy in Baltimore — where she immediately felt seen and supported.
“The doctor looked at me and said, ‘You’re so young,’” Hope remembers. “She saw me as a person, not a patient. That changed everything.”
Throughout her treatment — chemo, surgery, radiation — Hope leaned on the strength of others. From fellow patients to nurses and even clinical trial participants, she found unexpected comfort in shared humanity.
When Cancer Leads to Community
Hope’s story didn’t end with remission. She made the courageous decision to speak publicly about her experience, using social media to connect with others facing similar diagnoses.
“I had so many people reach out,” she says. “Young women who didn’t know anyone else going through it. That’s why I kept speaking up — so no one would feel alone.”
Now an official Community Ambassador for NFCR, Hope continues to advocate for early detection, research funding, and community support — especially for younger patients, who are seeing rising cancer rates even as overall statistics fall.
Celebrating Research, Honoring Heroes
One of the most moving moments in the episode comes when Hope reflects on meeting Dr. Dennis Slamon, the scientist behind the targeted therapy Herceptin, which played a key role in her recovery.
“I told him, ‘You’re the most important person in the world to me right now,’” she recalls. “It felt like meeting a rock star.”
She also pays tribute to clinical trial participants who paved the way for breakthroughs like Herceptin. “I never thought about those patients before,” she says. “They’re my heroes too.”
Looking Ahead—with Hope
Today, Hope is not only a survivor but also a storyteller, fundraiser, and soon-to-be-published author. Her July fundraising brunch in Annapolis combines three generations of family tradition with her present-day mission to support NFCR’s work.
“This event is my way of connecting my past, my recovery, and my hopes for the future,” she says.
Hope Stewart’s story is more than inspiring — it’s a call to action. A reminder that cancer research saves lives, that community makes healing possible, and that sharing our stories might just be the most powerful tool we have.
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About All Things Cancer
Each episode of All Things Cancer will spotlight the most pressing topics in oncology, from cutting-edge treatments and emerging research to personal stories of resilience and hope. More than just a podcast, it’s a platform for raising awareness, advancing cancer education, and fostering a global community of support and collaboration.
Hosted by NFCR CEO, Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., this compelling series will bring together the entire ecosystem of cancer research—including leading scientists, oncologists, doctors, patient advocates, caregivers, biotech innovators, and survivors—for powerful discussions on the breakthroughs shaping the future of cancer research, treatment, and care.
All Things Cancer is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released biweekly.
Cancer impacts everyone—whether you’re a patient, caregiver, advocate, or researcher, this podcast delivers invaluable insights from those on the frontlines of the fight against it.
