Stories

“It is our hope that the My Bladder Cancer Story campaign will be an avenue for those affected by bladder cancer to share their stories to be a voice for those who, for far too long, have felt alone in this fight against this disease.”

Andrea Maddox-Smith, BCAN CEO
Share Your Story
  • Marilu Henner Encourages Tough Talks on Bladder Cancer

    For Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, BCAN and actress Marilu Henner have partnered with Genentech, a member of the Roche group, to share her personal story and help people navigate challenging – but necessary – conversations about bladder cancer. Marilu knows firsthand the importance of these discussions. Read More
  • Renata Bladder Cancer Story About Her Husband

    We thought my husband Ahmad’s bladder cancer was well under control after the original diagnosis of low grade Stage Ta, in 2011. He had several TURBTs, a partial cystectomy, and cystoscopies every three months. Dealing with the Stage Ta diagnosis, was… Read More
  • Frank – Two Cancers Didn’t Stop Me

    I am a non-smoking prostate cancer survivor who was treated with radiation and hormones. In 2015, I passed some blood tinged urine. This sent me to my urologist who did a urineanalysis and cystoscopy along with a CT urogram.  It… Read More
  • Marge’s Bladder Cancer Story

    My husband Bill was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May 2010, just before the Memorial Day holiday. He was experiencing blood in his urine and immediately reached out to his doctor in New York City. We didn’t have a thought that it could be something serious. Read More
  • Rick’s Neobladder Story

    Like others, I had symptoms without a bladder cancer diagnosis for some time – urgency and frequency for eighteen months.  I had discussed both with my physician after about nine months. He said that I was getting old (I was only 48!) and my father had prostate cancer.  Knowing that I… Read More
  • Mike’s New Normal: Bladder Cancer

    In 2016, at age 58, I was noticing changes: I needed to urinate more frequently, my stream wasn’t as strong and I was waking up several times each night. Read More
  • Jim Zito – “Never give up hope!”

    Lynn Zito shared her reflections on her husband Jim’s experience with bladder cancer. I don’t think people take bladder cancer seriously enough. Many think bladder cancer is just a disease of older people. They can have their bladder removed, and they will have a… Read More
  • Jeff’s Bladder Cancer Story

    Only 30 at the time of his diagnosis, Jeff is not your typical bladder cancer patient. Now four years and three children after his diagnosis, Jeff views his experience as an opportunity to raise awareness as well as funds to support research to end bladder cancer. Read More
  • Bob’s Immunotherapy Story

    On March 17th, St Patrick’s day 2014, my wife and I were sitting at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in an examination room waiting for my new Oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Rosenberg to give us the news. Upon his arrival I could tell by looking at his face,… Read More