In support for the incredibly courageous and resilient cancer patients who inspire us every day and deserve every ounce of support we can give them
By Audrey Silver
Cancer has had a profound impact on my life from a young age. Watching people I love endure the physical and emotional toll of this disease, and experiencing the devastating loss of aunts, uncles, grandparents, close family friends, classmates, and colleagues…it often made cancer feel like a relentless presence throughout my life. Cancer’s familiar heartache through the experience of my loved ones took on an entirely new and close to home meaning when my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of tumor the week of Christmas 2024. Receiving that diagnosis days before what should have been a holiday to celebrate family and joy was absolutely devastating for us.
For the past 15 years I have worked as an ER nurse caring for the sickest of the sick, many of whom have been affected by cancer. I have been there for the worst moments of many of our patients’ lives. Now, finding myself on the other side of the bedside as a family member and direct caregiver of a cancer patient has been an incredibly humbling experience. We are beyond fortunate that my husband has been able to receive exceptional care from my own work family at Hartford HealthCare. The way this HHC community has wrapped its arms around us in support has been overwhelming in the very best way.
When traditional treatment options for his tumor did not prove effective, we were able to leverage HHC’s partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering to access a new clinical trial. I am thrilled to share that the trial has been remarkably successful, and we are optimistic that he is nearing the finish line of treatment. We hope that his experience in this trial can also help many other future cancer patients.
So many individuals and families facing cancer are not as fortunate as us. To pay it forward, and in honor of my husband and all the loved ones who have courageously battled this disease, it felt like there was no better time to dust off my swim cap and goggles and join Swim Across the Sound. Swimming was a huge part of my life, being a competitive swimmer from a young age through college. If there was ever a reason to come out of a 15-year swimming retirement, it is for the incredibly courageous and resilient cancer patients who inspire us every day and deserve every ounce of support we can give them. I am honored to be a part of this year’s Swim Across the Sound, and look forward to the impact that it will make on cancer patients’ lives!