Inspiration

We join the fight against cancer for many reasons, whether we are purely committed to the cause, have witnessed a friend or family member experience cancer, or have lost a loved one. If you are a current or former +Energy member, volunteer, or advocate, we encourage you to share with our community what inspires your fight against cancer.

If you would like to add a story to the ones below, please email <info@plus-energy.org>, and we will review and post your entry. You are not limited to length nor must you attach your name to your entry.

Submitted Stories

Tessie Paolillo is one of the primary reasons for the existence of +Energy. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Tessie lived a fulfilling life, cut too short by her battle with lung cancer. In August, 1993, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer and was given only two months to live. Exactly two months to the day of her diagnosis, Tessie lost her battle and passed away surrounded by family after a very difficult and painful battle with the disease. Her experiences with cancer continue to serve as a reminder for members of the organization to focus on and emphasize patient support through their work with +Energy. Tessie's strong will and assertive personality, even after her death, continue to guide the actions of the +Energy Board and to remind them to always place great emphasis on the values of persistence, commitment, and the conviction that truly anything is possible.

– Christine Kowal

I have witnessed cancer my entire life. The day I was born is the day doctors found my mother's cancer. Fortunately, every birthday also marks another year that my mother has survived. But unfortunately, during that time, my parents and I have seen many family and friends suffer from cancer, some if which did not survive. That is why I joined +Energy. Now, whenever I speak about +Energy, I hear another new story of someone suffering from cancer. It feels like everyone has a story; like everyone's life has been touched by this disease. And it seems like the only way to fight it, is to get everyone involved. Students can be a powerful force, and I believe that +Energy can inspire them to join the fight.

– Anonymous

At first, cancer was just the "thing" that led to the loss of my grandfather when I was 15. It was a distant disease that got the best of him because he had smoked most of his life. I could make the choice not to. Then, it became the thing that took my other grandfather when I was 18, starting in his kidneys and accompanied by other complications. While he was elderly, he didn't seen to have any unhealthy habits. Next, cancer got to the women in my family—breast cancer and ovarian cancer in my grandma and aunt, respectively. At this point, I could realize that there were some things in this world that you can't always prevent from happening but that can be fought, and fought hard, with success. Both my aunt and grandmother (currently 91 years old) are cancer-free today. For me, what began as a means to both honor my grandfathers and give myself and others an outlet to do something about cancer has become a force of hope for and dedication to continued success stories...and I believe +Energy is a strong means to that end.

– Elizabeth Guanlao

Nora Hemphill joined +Energy at the beginning of her first year at the University of Virginia (UVA), in 2005. She was recognized for her dedication to +Energy by being selected as the Special Events Committee Chair at the end of just her first semester with the organization. During her time on the Executive Committee at UVA, she organized and hosted a very successful benefit concert, and began organizing a 5K run benefiting lung cancer patients, to take place that fall. Nora passed during May of that year, having just completed her first year at UVA. She brought an enthusiasm to +Energy that held all of her peers in awe.

– Plus Energy

Lauren Munchak joined +Energy in 2005, during the fall semester of her first year at UVA. Lauren passed on during spring break that year, after a two-year battle with Ewing's Sarcoma. She was an avid supporter of +Energy, and as a member of the +Energy Team, raised the most money that any single person has to date for Relay for Life at UVA. Lauren had a beautiful spirit, which touched everyone that knew her.

– Plus Energy