The Head and Neck Cancer Foundation was established five years ago to support patients with head and neck cancer. As part of these efforts, the “We Fight with You” Patient Need Gift Program was created to make the holiday season a little brighter for patients affected by head and neck cancer. Throughout the year, a great deal of work goes into this mission, from educational programs to oral cancer screenings. Several fundraising initiatives are coordinated each year to make it possible to give directly to those whose lives have been changed by a head and neck cancer diagnosis. Due to this collective effort, we are honored to recognize Tracy as our 2025 “We Fight with You” Patient Need Gift recipient.
We asked Tracy’s loved ones to share their perspective on her journey.
Her Partner’s Perspective
From my perspective, the single word that best describes Tracy is resilient. Her life shifted from working hard to build her future to fighting simply to survive.
Since her cancer diagnosis after completing her undergraduate degree, Tracy has faced countless physical, mental, and financial challenges. Her focus quickly moved from managing classes and tuition to navigating treatments, insurance, and medical bills. Despite these burdens, she completed graduate school and built a career as a therapist, all while managing student loans and ongoing medical stress.
Physically, she endured radiation, multiple surgeries including a tracheotomy, and numerous hospital visits, many leaving permanent side effects. Yet she has refused to let cancer define her.
What stands out most is her mental fortitude. Tracy consistently shows up, grows professionally, and moves forward. She’s confident in herself and what she’s capable of. She sets goals, chases milestones, and quitting has never been an option and never will be.
Tracy’s Perspective
Tracy shares, “The life I had envisioned for myself changed the day I was diagnosed, and there was a lot of grief that came with losing the ‘easy’ life I saw my friends and loved ones experiencing. I’ve had to grow up fast and become fiercely independent, but I’ve learned that a little bit of grit, hope, and hard work will get me through any challenge. I am grateful for my health, my loved ones, and the life I have today.”
Her Mother’s Perspective
Tracy first mentioned a sore on her tongue while in Wisconsin for her uncle’s funeral. At the time, we didn’t think it was serious, but soon learned otherwise. Our beautiful, talented, hard-working 26-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
Her convalescence was long and arduous. She had intensive surgery to remove cancer from her tongue, including removing approximately half of her tongue and most of the lymph nodes in her neck, followed by reconstruction using tissue from her thigh. She endured significant pain, relied on tube feedings, and was unable to speak for weeks. Nearly a year of speech therapy was needed to relearn how to talk and eat, and she also faced dental complications from radiation.
Despite these challenges, Tracy showed strength and perseverance. Through it all, her resolve to live a full life has never diminished. We are very proud of how our daughter and how she has responded to this horrific ordeal, she has been a guiding force. Tracy has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to all who know her.
Her journey highlights why programs like ‘We Fight With You’ exist, giving patients the support and resources they need to move forward and build a life of purpose and positivity. You can help support patients like Tracy by donating to the Head and Neck Cancer Foundation here.