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 remains grateful to her Baystate Health “family” after tough leukemia treatment.

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 talks about his cancer journey and how Pokémon Go helped him through his diagnosis and treatment.

“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.”

The results of Nancy Boistelle’s treatment were truly amazing to her Baystate “dream team.”

Former flight attendant grateful for Baystate’s world-class skin cancer treatment close to home.

“I’m doing fabulous. I still think I’m going to live to be 100.”

Colon cancer survivor proves value of regular colon cancer screenings.

Lung cancer treatment hasn’t stopped Teddy Papoutsakis from getting back on his mountain bike.