Drain for the Cure Stories

Allyn Edwards, a Springfield Plastics' employee, shares his father's cancer story and why Drain for the Cure means a lot to him.

Retired Auburn High School teacher, Amy Phalen, shared her story and how cancer has impacted her life. She is so happy to support the efforts of Drain for the Cure to fight this disease.

Annette Barton is the wife of Springfield Plastics sales representative James T. Barton. In this video they both talk about Annette's cancer journey and the importance of Springfield Plastics' Drain for the Cure fundraiser.

Karen Giberson, a Springfield Plastics employee, shares the courageous story of her best friend, April, who lost her fight against cancer in May 2024. April fought hard during her battle against breast cancer, even trying experimental treatments because they might help her daughters or someone else's daughter in the future. "Drain for the Cure is not just a fundraiser," Karen said. "It's not just something we do. It's hope. Drain for the Cure offers money for research; those experimental trials that April wanted to do are funded by research."

Ashley Beisiegel was only four years old when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her parents, Paul and April, were kind enough to share her journey with Drain for the Cure. Check out this video to see how Ashley is doing now, and learn how Paul (a Springfield Plastics customer) is giving back to Drain for the Cure.

When Chris Dalton lost his voice, he didn't think too much of it until it didn't come back. The Springfield Plastics employee and his wife, Rebecca, shared his cancer journey with us. Chris' story is nothing short of a miracle, which is why Drain for the Cure is so important to the Daltons.

Cancer survivor Doug Shipley shares why he chose John Stoddard Cancer Center for his treatment.

Katie is a 30-year-old who loves being outdoors and challenges herself through extreme sports like snow skiing, mountain biking, ultra-running, and climbing. In the spring of 2022, Katie was diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma, a tumor on her brain.

She traveled to Des Moines to be treated at John Stoddard Cancer Center and used the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) program.

“Having a cancer diagnosis at a young age has changed my outlook on life,” Katie said. “I felt a lot of pressure to recover because of my age, and AYA helped me acknowledge and talk about the emotions of starting treatment and how to look at the future with a respect I didn’t before.”

“You supported me through a traumatic and isolating part of my life and made it as comfortable as possible," Katie added. "I’ll always be grateful for you."

Mayln is a busy woman. She runs her salon and is a single mother of nine children (four biological children and five adopted). She has a heart of gold and is willing to help friends, families, and even strangers.

During a routine self-exam, Mayln felt a lump in her left breast and was in total shock. She immediately made an appointment with her primary care physician. After many tests and scans, Mayln was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Mayln turned to John Stoddard Cancer Center for her care. “I am so grateful for my oncology team and everything they did to ease my mind throughout treatment,” said Mayln. “When I was first diagnosed, I was confused and worried about my financial situation, but oncology navigator, Jacqui, went above and beyond for me.”

When Reagan was 23, she was working hard and sailing in her free time. Then she started getting sick. After being sick the month of August 2023, Reagan went to a quick clinic where she was diagnosed with strep throat. But she was getting worse. The next diagnosis was mono. Eventually, Reagan was told there was nothing they could do.

So Reagan made an appointment with a primary care doctor who ordered a biopsy. On November 15, 2023, just days after her 24th birthday, she learned the diagnosis was lymphoma. However, before she could see a specialist, her condition worsened. Her father took her to the emergency department, and she was quickly transferred to the Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Her care team started Reagan on chemotherapy and a targeted therapy called Brentuximab. She responded well and is now living a happy and healthy life.

"To everyone who's given money to medical research, you might never see the benefits of it personally or from stories, but there are people out there that are doing a lot better now because of it than they would have without it," Reagan said.

Lisa Newby shares her father Robert's story and how she got involved in Drain for the Cure.

Stephanie had worked with the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in her role with the Colts but never imagined she might be a patient.

When she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at age 37, one of her first calls was to the Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. "I didn't want to be anywhere else," Stephanie said. "I knew that what we were dealing with was literally a life or death matter. And knowing the kind and caring, compassionate, and brilliant people that were there, there was no question in my mind that that's where I needed to be."

After going through chemotherapy and surgery at the Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stephanie shows no evidence of the disease!

When asked how she feels, Stephanie said, "Thankful for the doctors, researchers, donors who have invested so much into making sure that research continues to evolve."

In 2019, Terri did not feel like her normal self. She visited her doctor, and after many tests, a biopsy, a series of scans, and eventually surgery, Terri was diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial adenocarcinoma. Three years later, after being cleared of cancer, Terri’s appendix ruptured, and she was rushed to the emergency department. During a CT scan, Terri’s doctors noticed her cancer was back. Thankfully, the team at Stoddard Cancer Center was there, helping her navigate through her cancer diagnosis.

“Your donations support people during some of the most vulnerable moments in a cancer diagnosis,” says Terri. “Knowing there are people, like you, who care enough to give to this program is inspiring. Thank you.”

"Without these services, I would have felt alone, lost, confused, dazed, and at times, a bit hopeless," Terri added. "Because of you, I feel supported.”