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“I was home alone when things really started to feel off,” Hasley says. “I actually did end up sending my friends a text like, ‘I think I’m having a stroke.’”
Woman, 22, recalls the early signs she was having a stroke that doctors dismissed as vertigo
At first, Aubrey Hasley thought she was having a migraine. As the room spun and she struggled to walk, she realized something worse was occurring.
www.today.com
May 7, 2025 at 12:29 PM
“I was home alone when things really started to feel off,” Hasley says. “I actually did end up sending my friends a text like, ‘I think I’m having a stroke.’”
“We will never know the many stories of those with disabilities that have been denied such access and have died as a result, their lives taken too soon due to discrimination,” she says.
Her life was saved by a heart transplant. Many others with Down syndrome don't get the same chance
The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Act would end the practice of denying transplants to people with Down syndrome.
www.today.com
March 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
“We will never know the many stories of those with disabilities that have been denied such access and have died as a result, their lives taken too soon due to discrimination,” she says.
“Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, you could still have cancer,” he says. “Those are things I never knew, and I wish I would have heard about more.”
Dad, 35, thought he had hemorrhoids. It was the 1st sign of colorectal cancer
Two weeks after finishing a marathon, John Johnson was diagnosed with Stage 2 colorectal cancer. He shares his story to raise awareness and offer hope.
www.today.com
March 4, 2025 at 8:50 PM
“Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, you could still have cancer,” he says. “Those are things I never knew, and I wish I would have heard about more.”
“Sarcoma tends to happen in a lot of younger people. We all hear about pediatric cancer. We hear about geriatric cancer. But young adults are stuck in this awkward middle ground where it’s like being invisible,” she says.
Woman, 22, describes the cancer symptom she mistook for growing pains
At 16, Eldiara Doucette felt arm pain. It was 1st sign of rare soft tissue cancer that led to amputation.
www.today.com
March 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“Sarcoma tends to happen in a lot of younger people. We all hear about pediatric cancer. We hear about geriatric cancer. But young adults are stuck in this awkward middle ground where it’s like being invisible,” she says.
“At first, I was confused because I thought once the heart is bad, the entirety of it is bad,” Kinsey said. “But once she explained to us that they can use pieces to help other children, my next question was ‘Where do I sign up?’”
EXCLUSIVE: 1 heart saves 3 girls in a unique surgery that could help other children
Journi Kelly, 11, needed a new heart. But her heart valves helped 2 other girls and allowed doctors to perform the 1st living mitral valve replacement.
www.today.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
“At first, I was confused because I thought once the heart is bad, the entirety of it is bad,” Kinsey said. “But once she explained to us that they can use pieces to help other children, my next question was ‘Where do I sign up?’”
“Flu is more than just a cold. It is serious. People forget about that."
College student who didn't get flu shot this season details how flu A and B led to sepsis: 'I almost died'
“Flu is more than just a cold. It is serious,” Kaitlyn Covert says.
www.today.com
February 21, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“Flu is more than just a cold. It is serious. People forget about that."
“She always said, ‘Be an advocate for yourself. Nobody knows your body more than yourself. If a doctor isn’t addressing or acknowledging the issue that you’re having, then get a second opinion,’” Caden Hutchins recalls.
Husband of Bailey Hutchins, TikToker who died at 26, details her colon cancer journey: 'Happened so quickly'
In his first interview since his wife's death, Caden Hutchins tells TODAY.com about her early symptoms and positive attitude over the past two years.
www.today.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
“She always said, ‘Be an advocate for yourself. Nobody knows your body more than yourself. If a doctor isn’t addressing or acknowledging the issue that you’re having, then get a second opinion,’” Caden Hutchins recalls.
“It sucks that I’ve had seven cancers, but at the same time, too, what doesn’t suck is I’m here,” she says. “My purpose every single day is to make sure that someone not only knows my story, but somebody can reach out to me and say, ‘How did you tackle this?’”
Woman, 41, diagnosed with 7 types of cancer advocates for early detection: ‘I feel very fortunate’
Lainie Jones has Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which makes her predisposed to having cancer. She's undergoing treatment for glioblastoma, her 7th cancer.
www.today.com
February 13, 2025 at 1:35 PM
“It sucks that I’ve had seven cancers, but at the same time, too, what doesn’t suck is I’m here,” she says. “My purpose every single day is to make sure that someone not only knows my story, but somebody can reach out to me and say, ‘How did you tackle this?’”
“My friend was like, ‘Go to the freaking hospital. That is not heartburn,’” Earlie Smith, of Columbus, said. “On the way to the hospital, I went from just having annoying heartburn feeling to feeling like someone drained all my energy. It was like all I could do just to stay focused on the road.”
These siblings had identical cardiac events one after the other: ‘Worse than any heartburn’
In fall 2023, Earlie Smith experienced an aortic dissection. Months later, her brother, Larry Smith, also had one. The same doctor helped them both.
www.today.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“My friend was like, ‘Go to the freaking hospital. That is not heartburn,’” Earlie Smith, of Columbus, said. “On the way to the hospital, I went from just having annoying heartburn feeling to feeling like someone drained all my energy. It was like all I could do just to stay focused on the road.”
“I went six-plus years in pain and was told I was crazy,” she says. “I went through so much and no one should have to do that.”
For 6 years, doctors dismissed this college athlete's pain. Finally, she received a diagnosis: 'I went through so much'
Sidney Barbier learned she had Nutcracker syndrome and underwent surgery. Now the college cross-country skier is able to compete without pain.
www.today.com
February 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
“I went six-plus years in pain and was told I was crazy,” she says. “I went through so much and no one should have to do that.”
“I use my story and my experience to change the perception of lung cancer and to raise awareness that it’s really a cancer that can affect anyone,” she says. “It was random luck that rogue cells became cancerous in my lungs.”
Non-smoker diagnosed with cancer at 34 after car accident led doctors to find mass in lung
Yovana Portillo felt stunned that she had lung cancer because she never smoked. But she hopes people realize that lung cancer can happen to anyone.
www.today.com
January 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
“I use my story and my experience to change the perception of lung cancer and to raise awareness that it’s really a cancer that can affect anyone,” she says. “It was random luck that rogue cells became cancerous in my lungs.”
“Most ovarian cancers are detected at an advanced stage,” Campbell says. “That’s a really hard cancer to detect because of lack of symptoms, lack of screening, and women deserve better.”
Woman, 34, says doctors ‘brushed off’ her symptoms. She had ‘extensive’ pre-cancerous tumors
Emily Campbell visited several doctors before undergoing an ultrasound that led to a diagnosis. Now, she's encouraging others to advocate for themselves.
www.today.com
January 13, 2025 at 1:35 PM
“Most ovarian cancers are detected at an advanced stage,” Campbell says. “That’s a really hard cancer to detect because of lack of symptoms, lack of screening, and women deserve better.”
“We were like OK we’re going to build this around his bravery and his positivity,” Cody Moorse says. “Our oncologist told us very early on that he’s going to feed off your emotions. So, if you stay positive it will be a positive experience.”
Boy, 3, had a bloated belly. It was the 1st sign of this childhood cancer
Clayton Moorse's parents couldn't slip a T-shirt over his torso because of his distended stomach. Tests revealed the toddler had a Wilms tumor.
www.today.com
January 7, 2025 at 9:28 PM
“We were like OK we’re going to build this around his bravery and his positivity,” Cody Moorse says. “Our oncologist told us very early on that he’s going to feed off your emotions. So, if you stay positive it will be a positive experience.”
“I was like, ‘I’ll get this checked out. Get a biopsy.’ But I was like, ‘There’s no way that my sister and I both have breast cancer at the same time.’”
Woman, 27, is diagnosed with breast cancer just 2 weeks before her sister, 32, receives the same diagnosis
Katie and Lyndsay Cooper have the BRCA1 mutation and started screening early. They both discovered lumps in their breast, leading to their diagnoses.
www.today.com
January 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“I was like, ‘I’ll get this checked out. Get a biopsy.’ But I was like, ‘There’s no way that my sister and I both have breast cancer at the same time.’”
“You feel some sort of soreness, and you think that maybe you slept weird or something,” Niemi, 20, a sophomore at The Ohio State University in Columbus, says.
College student, 20, thought he pulled a groin muscle. It was the 1st sign of testicular cancer
Grayson Niemi learned he had Stage 2 testicular cancer shortly after his freshman year of college.
www.today.com
December 30, 2024 at 5:15 PM
“You feel some sort of soreness, and you think that maybe you slept weird or something,” Niemi, 20, a sophomore at The Ohio State University in Columbus, says.
“Be aware of what your body is telling you. Don’t dismiss it like I did. Don’t think, ‘Oh it’s because you’re 60,’” she says. “Just go to the doctor and get checked out.”
Daughter thought her mom was having a stroke because of this 1 sign. She likely saved her life
When Chris Kirmsse told daughter Christine Kirmsse that her blood pressure was 200/100, Christine Kirmsse made her get medical care.
www.today.com
December 18, 2024 at 8:49 PM
“Be aware of what your body is telling you. Don’t dismiss it like I did. Don’t think, ‘Oh it’s because you’re 60,’” she says. “Just go to the doctor and get checked out.”
In hindsight, Pastuovic realized that he had trouble breathing for a while.
“It became more labored. That was beside the chronic cough, like a hacking cough,” he says. “It was really hard to get a deep breath in.”
“It became more labored. That was beside the chronic cough, like a hacking cough,” he says. “It was really hard to get a deep breath in.”
Exclusive: Dad thought long COVID caused his breathing troubles. It was a watermelon-sized tumor in his chest
While facing a rare cancer diagnosis was tough, Nick Pastuovic transformed his mindset about life, becoming a more positive person during treatment.
www.today.com
December 16, 2024 at 8:54 PM
In hindsight, Pastuovic realized that he had trouble breathing for a while.
“It became more labored. That was beside the chronic cough, like a hacking cough,” he says. “It was really hard to get a deep breath in.”
“It became more labored. That was beside the chronic cough, like a hacking cough,” he says. “It was really hard to get a deep breath in.”
“No one thinks, ‘Oh maybe I’m walking around with a brain tumor when you’re having no other signs,’” she says. “That’s part of what makes it a surprise to get the diagnosis.”
Mom diagnosed with brain cancer at 37 recalls her first symptoms: 'Something doesn't feel right'
Molly Young's twin daughters had the flu so when she experienced a headache, nausea, she assumed she had it, too. She felt surprised she had a brain tumor.
www.today.com
December 6, 2024 at 1:48 PM
“No one thinks, ‘Oh maybe I’m walking around with a brain tumor when you’re having no other signs,’” she says. “That’s part of what makes it a surprise to get the diagnosis.”
“Life is so precious and so fragile and even in a really, really scary, hard time, there’s still so much beauty to be found and happiness to be had.”
www.today.com/health/disea...
www.today.com/health/disea...
Mom diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at 38 recalls her 1st symptom: ‘I ignored it’
Casandra Costley thought bleeding and rectal pain were normal. She wishes she would shared her symptoms with her doctor sooner to avoid a Stage 4 diagnosis.
www.today.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:38 PM
“Life is so precious and so fragile and even in a really, really scary, hard time, there’s still so much beauty to be found and happiness to be had.”
www.today.com/health/disea...
www.today.com/health/disea...
“I knew it was something serious,” Owens says. “But I didn’t know it was a brain tumor.”
Mom says doctors dismissed these early signs her 2-year-old had a brain tumor: 'Didn't feel right'
When Gracelyn Stiffler struggled with headaches and started walking strangely, her mom knew something was seriously wrong, even though doctors dismissed her.
www.today.com
November 29, 2024 at 3:11 PM
“I knew it was something serious,” Owens says. “But I didn’t know it was a brain tumor.”
“I was giving so many excuses of why I was feeling certain ways — so tired, so thirsty. Some days I would wake up and my legs wouldn’t really work,” Bass, 45, tells TODAY.com. “I was just (thinking), ‘Oh I’m tired. I’m older. I’m lethargic.’”
Lance Bass chalked up being exhausted to aging. It was Type 1.5 diabetes
Doctors first diagnosed Lance Bass with Type 2 diabetes, but lifestyle changes and medication didn't work.
www.today.com
November 26, 2024 at 6:27 PM
“I was giving so many excuses of why I was feeling certain ways — so tired, so thirsty. Some days I would wake up and my legs wouldn’t really work,” Bass, 45, tells TODAY.com. “I was just (thinking), ‘Oh I’m tired. I’m older. I’m lethargic.’”
“I didn’t know he would go get real fancy,” Hardin says. “I know my child’s taste … I thought he would go more so toward the crab legs.”
At 7, he received a new heart. 2 years later, he made crabcakes to raise money for Make-A-Wish
At only 9, Prince Wise has refined food tastes. When Make-A-Wish needed a past recipient to make a signature meal as a fundraiser, the organization turned to Prince.
www.today.com
November 20, 2024 at 9:24 PM
“I didn’t know he would go get real fancy,” Hardin says. “I know my child’s taste … I thought he would go more so toward the crab legs.”
“My joke is that in four short weeks I’ve gone from a Virgo to a Cancer,” he says. “I’ve tried to retain a sense of reality but also a sense of humor about it.”
EXCLUSIVE: Dave Coulier of 'Full House' reveals he has non-Hodgkin lymphoma: ‘I’m OK if this is the end’
The star shares the first symptom that led to his Stage 3 cancer diagnosis, how he's coping and why he wants others to be vigilant about their health.
www.today.com
November 17, 2024 at 8:13 PM
“My joke is that in four short weeks I’ve gone from a Virgo to a Cancer,” he says. “I’ve tried to retain a sense of reality but also a sense of humor about it.”
“Suddenly I’m surrounded by eight doctors,” Malone says. “That’s when one of the doctor’s first question was, ‘Has anyone in your family ever dropped dead with no explanation? And I was like, ‘Whoa, what?!’”
EXCLUSIVE: Woman, 35, hospitalized with heart condition reveals 1st symptom she almost ignored
Jessie Malone considered taking a nap but her Apple Watch kept 'blaring' a warning that she needed medical attention.
www.today.com
November 17, 2024 at 8:13 PM
“Suddenly I’m surrounded by eight doctors,” Malone says. “That’s when one of the doctor’s first question was, ‘Has anyone in your family ever dropped dead with no explanation? And I was like, ‘Whoa, what?!’”