Proton Alumni Gathering Brings Together Recently Treated Patients and Cancer Survivors Several Years Out From Prostate Cancer Treatment

This November, Christina Mershell and Kasey Heilman from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute hosted a reception for proton alumni in The Villages, Fla. More than 25 people joined us for this alumnus gathering, including past patients, their spouses and caregivers. While in The Villages for a prostate cancer educational conference, the Institute team was excited to also be able to connect with past patients who were treated for many different cancers and find out what their lives have been like as cancer survivors.

This gathering was also an opportunity for these individuals to connect with other proton graduates who live in their area. It was amazing to see the connections made as new proton graduates met with graduates from 14 years ago or more. Many of the alumni who attended were also proton ambassadors, patients who volunteer to speak with people who are newly diagnosed with cancer as they explore treatment options.

Attendees shared so many positive experiences during their time receiving proton beam therapy. Some shared about the radiation therapists who treated them who they still remember by name. Others reminisced about the patient outings and events and the amazing food they enjoyed in Jacksonville with their newly made friends. The overwhelming response was that while it was a difficult time in their lives, the team at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and the fellow patients and caregivers they met while they were there, made it an uplifting and encouraging time in their lives.

Brandon was one alumnus at the gathering who had just completed his proton therapy less than a month ago. He found out about proton therapy from a neighbor who is a urologist. After consulting with multiple specialists, Brandon ended up at the University of Florida and felt confident he was dealing with seasoned professionals. At the event, Brandon had the opportunity to connect with a former patient, Dan, who had been through proton therapy for prostate cancer as well but 14 years earlier. “It was good to hear from people who had been through proton therapy years ago and were still doing so well,” said Brandon.

Dan joined the event with his spouse, Dottie. When he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer, he and his wife, Dottie knew it would all be okay as they are people of faith. He heard about proton therapy from his best friend in California when he reached out for prayer after his diagnosis. During his 39 days of treatment, Dan continued to work full time in The Villages and then drove to Jacksonville each day for treatment. What he remembers most is the friendliness of the staff and their competence during his daily treatments. “I hear the same stories of experience from patients today,” said Dan. Today, he is not afraid to talk about prostate cancer. Dan reminds all his friends to get their PSA checked and schedule their digital exams. Dozens of people have come back to thank him because they found their prostate cancer early and were able to get the treatment they needed. Each year, Dan makes the drive back to Jacksonville to meet face-to-face and follow up with his proton therapy team, which now includes Radiation Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Kerri Jarrell. Dan also volunteered the following day at the prostate cancer conference (for the 3rd year in a row), sharing his proton therapy experience with conference attendees and answering their questions.

There were so many other inspiring stories we heard from the proton alumni who joined us. Thank you to all alumni who keep in touch with their team at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, and with the fellow cancer survivors you met while you were on treatment. We are always uplifted by hearing your experiences!

Would you like to let us know how you are doing and share your story? Click here or reach out to us at Education@FloridaProton.org.