Blog

Silver Lining
MCA Patient: Katie Hanney Survivor Since: 2016 Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist: Andrew Iliff, M.D. Treatment: Chemotherapy, lumpectomy, radiation and antibody infusions Even after two breast cancer diagnoses, Katie Hanney focuses on the positive. After six...

A message to our patients about COVID-19 Coronavirus
On Monday, July 6, 2020, the Columbia City Council passed a mask ordinance. Under the ordinance, everyone 10 years of age and older that is within Columbia city limits will be required to wear a mask when around people who are not household members, both indoors...

Staying Focused on Life Outside of Cancer
MCA Patient: Michael Lilien Survivor Since: 2019 Diagnosis: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma Medical Oncologist: Dr. Mark Vellek Treatment: Chemotherapy After discovering he had cancer, Michael Lilien was determined to keep running his life the same way — all the way through...

Choosing to Live
MCA Patient: Bill Carter Survivor Since: 2016 Diagnosis: Pancreatic Cancer Medical Oncologist: Dr. Uma Ramadoss Radiation Oncologist: Dr. Mark Bryer and Dr. Harold Johnson Oncology Nurse: Christy Philips Treatment: Chemotherapy When Bill Carter was diagnosed with...

FAQs – Genetic Education and Testing
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M A CANDIDATE FOR GENETIC EDUCATION OR TESTING? Genetic testing isn’t right for everyone, and genetic education and testing is an important part of the genetic evaluation. You are encouraged to talk to your doctor about your family history to...

Faith and Courage
MCA Patient: Duke Allen Survivor Since: 2018 Diagnosis: Pancreatic Cancer Medical Oncologist: Dr. Mark Tungesvik Treatment: Chemotherapy For Henry Duke Allen, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer hasn’t dimmed his zeal for life. As is common with anyone receiving a...

Start Talking
MCA Patient: Karen Singleton, Ashland, MO Survivor Since: March 2018 Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Care Team: Medical Oncologist: Liana Makarian, M.D. Radiation Oncologist: Dr. Mark Bryer Radiation: Dr. Teri Elwing Breast Surgeon: Dr. Anne Peterson Primary Care...

Let Them Love You
MCA Patient: Sunny Hoffman Survivor Since: April 2017 Diagnosis: Breast Cancer Medical Oncologist: Mark Vellek, M.D. Treatment: Chemotherapy and Radiation Chemotherapy Care Team: Amy Boyle, RN Danielle Kleithermes, RN Denise Huff, RN Erin Korman, RN Johanna Joes, RN...

Cancer Doesn’t Care About Your Plans.
MCA Patient: Pam Schilz Survivor Since: April 2008 Diagnosis: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Missouri Cancer Care Team: Medical Oncologist: Uma Ramadoss, M.D. Christy Phillips, RN Chemotherapy Care Team: Amy Boyle, RN Danielle Kleithermes, RN Denise Huff, RN Erin Swift, RN...

An Educator at Heart
By Mike Hoeferlin Reproduced with permission from BOOM! magazine, Spring 2019, page 22 Nancy Fritsch Encourages Fellow Cancer Patients Metaphorically, Nancy Fritsch hit the ground running in Columbia running in 1965 and she’s not stopped since. In fact, she still runs...
