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Progress in Proton Therapy
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Survivor Spotlight: Leska Cipolla
Breast Cancer
Pregnant with her oldest son, Leska Cipolla found out that she was BRCA positive, which meant she had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. With a family history of breast cancer (her mom and two sisters), and being a nurse herself, Leska was proactive in her healthcare.
Survivor Spotlight: Barry Showalter
Prostate Cancer
Barry Showalter explored other options before choosing proton therapy for high-risk prostate cancer. Barry Showalter is a 10-year prostate cancer survivor who encourages others to not worry if they are diagnosed with prostate cancer and to look into proton therapy for their treatment.
Teen Patient Continues Cheerleading Through Proton Therapy Treatments
Pediatric Cancer
Mya Thibodeau is a 15-year-old young woman passionate about cheerleading and exercise. It was a shock in December 2023, when Mya was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She feared her cheerleading days would have to end.
Survivor Spotlight: Abbie (Dunn) Few
Brain Cancer
In April, Abbie (Dunn) Few and her husband Mike celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary. The anniversary is more than a celebration of marriage for Abbie and her family. It’s a reminder that Abbie is thriving and moving forward after a brain cancer diagnosis in 2013.
Proton Alumni Spotlight: Drew Rogers
Head and Neck Cancer
Drew Rogers recently returned from Germany where he coached a world-class team of USA athletes in various distances at the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.
Anastasia Spiecker - Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor
Hodgkin Lymphoma
“Any time whatever I am facing in life starts to feel challenging, I remember where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. It reminds me of how strong I really am and how I’ve been guided and blessed even in the darkest times in my life,” said Anastasia Spiecker.
Survivor Spotlight: David Bruyn
Gastrointestinal Cancer
David Bruyn has been through a lot. Following two strokes and brain surgery, he faced another challenge when a hemorrhagic brain stem stroke impacted his ability to swallow, leading to the installation of a feeding tube.
Survivor Spotlight: Denise Hawks
Sarcoma
Denise was diagnosed with a spinal chordoma in 2017. Chordomas are an extremely rare type of sarcoma (cancer) that occurs in the bone, with fewer than 300 people diagnosed annually in the United States.
Survivor Spotlight: Toni Renna
Lung Cancer
Toni Renna and her husband Ronald live in The Villages in Central Florida. They are surrounded by friends and a supportive community. It was the fortune of having a friend who had treated his prostate cancer with proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute that would change Toni’s own battle with lung cancer.
Progress is Personal
Stories from Cancer Survivors. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Survivor Spotlight: Leska Cipolla
Breast Cancer
Pregnant with her oldest son, Leska Cipolla found out that she was BRCA positive, which meant she had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. With a family history of breast cancer (her mom and two sisters), and being a nurse herself, Leska was proactive in her healthcare.
Survivor Spotlight: Barry Showalter
Prostate Cancer
Barry Showalter explored other options before choosing proton therapy for high-risk prostate cancer. Barry Showalter is a 10-year prostate cancer survivor who encourages others to not worry if they are diagnosed with prostate cancer and to look into proton therapy for their treatment.
Teen Patient Continues Cheerleading Through Proton Therapy Treatments
Pediatric Cancer
Mya Thibodeau is a 15-year-old young woman passionate about cheerleading and exercise. It was a shock in December 2023, when Mya was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She feared her cheerleading days would have to end.
Survivor Spotlight: Abbie (Dunn) Few
Brain Cancer
In April, Abbie (Dunn) Few and her husband Mike celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary. The anniversary is more than a celebration of marriage for Abbie and her family. It’s a reminder that Abbie is thriving and moving forward after a brain cancer diagnosis in 2013.
Proton Alumni Spotlight: Drew Rogers
Head and Neck Cancer
Drew Rogers recently returned from Germany where he coached a world-class team of USA athletes in various distances at the 17th World Dragon Boat Racing Championships.
Anastasia Spiecker - Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor
Hodgkin Lymphoma
“Any time whatever I am facing in life starts to feel challenging, I remember where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. It reminds me of how strong I really am and how I’ve been guided and blessed even in the darkest times in my life,” said Anastasia Spiecker.
Survivor Spotlight: David Bruyn
Gastrointestinal Cancer
David Bruyn has been through a lot. Following two strokes and brain surgery, he faced another challenge when a hemorrhagic brain stem stroke impacted his ability to swallow, leading to the installation of a feeding tube.
Survivor Spotlight: Denise Hawks
Sarcoma
Denise was diagnosed with a spinal chordoma in 2017. Chordomas are an extremely rare type of sarcoma (cancer) that occurs in the bone, with fewer than 300 people diagnosed annually in the United States.
Survivor Spotlight: Toni Renna
Lung Cancer
Toni Renna and her husband Ronald live in The Villages in Central Florida. They are surrounded by friends and a supportive community. It was the fortune of having a friend who had treated his prostate cancer with proton therapy at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute that would change Toni’s own battle with lung cancer.
Interviews
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See More Patient Stories & Testimonials
Want to know what it's like to be a patient at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute?
View Stories
20th Anniversary Events
Featured Events
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For all community events at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, visit our community calendar page.
Cancer Resource Navigation Event – UF Health Jacksonville
Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 10AM - 1PM
Location: UF Health Jacksonville Clinical Center, Main Lobby, 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Stop by to find out more about what UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has to offer as we join the UF Health Jacksonville cancer team at the next Cancer Resource Navigation Event.
For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Cancer Resource Navigation Event – UF Health Jacksonville
Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 10AM - 1PM
Location: UF Health Jacksonville Clinical Center, Main Lobby, 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Stop by to find out more about what UF Health Proton Therapy Institute has to offer as we join the UF Health Jacksonville cancer team at the next Cancer Resource Navigation Event. The oncology departments will be available to answer your questions, as well as representatives from programs providing social and emotional support. Additional community organizations including the local American Cancer Society office will be there with information for cancer survivors and caregivers.
For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A Day of Hope and Healing
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 @ Time TBD
Location: UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL 32206
Save the date! On January 22, 2026, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute will host Living Beyond Breast Cancer: A Day of Hope and Healing. This survivorship event will feature speakers, resources and community support for patients and survivors. Join us for an inspiring day designed to uplift survivors and empower those still on their journey. Hope, healing and community are the heart of survivorship, and we are honored to bring these together.
For More Info: Contact Tamara at (904) 588-1293 or tsorrye@floridaproton.org.
Western North Carolina Prostate Support Group - Presentation
Tuesday, March 03, 2026 @ 6:30PM - 7:30PM
Location: Online via Zoom or in-person at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC
Join speaker, Christina Mershell, from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, as she meets virtually with the Western NC Prostate Support Group to discuss the role of proton therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. This meeting will be an opportunity to ask of your questions, find out what this targeted treatment is all about, and hear some of the latest proton therapy research. If you are in the Asheville area, we hope you can join the group in-person. Support group website: https://wncprostatesupport.org/.
For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
People of Proton Therapy
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