Cancer Patient Stories

As co-host of the popular morning radio show “Bax and O’Brien” on Rock 102 (WAQY) in Springfield for over 15 years, John O’Brien has conducted numerous interviews, including a monthly segment featuring Baystate Medical Center physicians discussing health topics. He never expected the subject would eventually be his own struggle with skin cancer.

Michelle Bail never thought she would be fighting for her life five years ago during the holiday season.

“The continuum of care from all the Baystate experts was great...Dr. Schalet came from Springfield to Greenfield the day of my mastectomy and readied me for my reconstruction...Now I can get back to work, and back to riding my horse, Bailey.”

It’s often easy for people to take for granted the enjoyable routines of everyday life.  Not the Stark family of Hampden, though. Like most other families who go to battle with pediatric cancer, it’s the simple and “normal” days they began yearning for a long time ago.

Ben Manzi may be just seven years old, but he's already worked up an entire lifetime of courage. Diagnosed with leukemia just six months ago, his family has already started a non-profit to help others as a way of repaying the love they've felt from both loved ones and strangers. 

12-year-old Naqi Dar of Warwick, talks about his cancer journey and how Pokémon Go helped him through his diagnosis and treatment.