Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

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  • Bob’s Story: “Don’t let an ostomy define you. You define how you live with it.”

    20 Years of Impact: 20 Voices of BCAN For two decades, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) has been a beacon of hope, support, and advocacy for patients and their loved ones. As we celebrate 20 years of collective progress, we honor the voices that have shaped this journey—those who have faced… Read More
  • Mary’s Story: “This has been a difficult chapter in my life, but it’s far from the end of my story.”

    20 Years of Impact: 20 Voices of BCAN For two decades, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) has been a beacon of hope, support, and advocacy for patients and their loved ones. As we celebrate 20 years of collective progress, we honor the voices that have shaped this journey—those who have faced… Read More
  • Rick’s Story: “We’re stronger than we think.”

    Before his diagnosis, Rick Lyman dismissed the subtle symptoms he noticed—tiny particles in his urine that slightly discolored the water. It wasn’t until he spotted small blood clots that he sought medical advice. That decision, made in February 2021, led to an unexpected diagnosis and a journey of resilience, hope,… Read More
  • Rick’s Story: “I was spared to help save others.”

    A seemingly insignificant black speck in his urine during a routine bathroom break turned out to be a signal of a profound change in Rick Bulifant’s life. What started as a tiny anomaly led him down a path of medical appointments, a daunting diagnosis, and eventually, a life-saving surgery. This… Read More
  • Duke’s Story: “It all comes down to the choices that we make in life.”

    Duke Dahlin never imagined that traces of blood in his urine would later lead to a diagnosis of stage two bladder cancer. After a challenging recovery and with the support of family and BCAN, he navigated this journey and has returned to doing the things he used to love. Duke’s… Read More
  • Jon’s Story: “I encourage folks to do their own research.”

    It began with subtle signs dismissed until a pivotal moment sparked urgent action. From diagnosis to treatment, setbacks to triumphs, Jon Treffert’s story encapsulates the essence of perseverance and the transformative power of modern medicine. Here is Jon’s story about navigating his bladder cancer journey through uncertainty, hope, and the… Read More
  • Anita’s Story: “We have to be our own advocates and live life as bravely and as fully as we can.”

    It started with a seemingly innocent symptom: blood in her urine. Initially dismissed as a urinary tract infection by her general practitioner, Anita sought a second opinion in December 2019. By January 2020, the reappearance of blood in her urine prompted an urgent referral to a urologist which led to… Read More
  • Jim’s Story: “It’s been a long journey, but I’ve been hopeful all the time. There is a positive out of this.”

    Blood in the urine led Jim Rieker to a startling discovery: a tumor in his bladder. Diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer, swift action was required. He braced himself for surgery to confront this relentless adversary. However, through his discovery of BCAN, as well as guidance from a bladder cancer survivor… Read More
  • Bill’s Story: “I am eternally grateful I discovered bladder preservation.”

    The concept of bladder preservation was foreign to Bill Moroney until he received the startling news of a bladder cancer diagnosis following a visit to his family doctor. In the ensuing months, he grappled with a whirlwind of emotions, struggling to comprehend the implications of his diagnosis. Determined to confront the… Read More