In the Magazine

Photo by Neil Gore, Inner Space, Yoga in the Village​

Esther Brandon

Jamaica Plan, Massachusetts
Stage II mucinous carcinoma of the breast at age 66 in 2015

Today: Drawing on her decades-long interest in yoga and meditation and her former career mentoring student teachers, Brandon works as a life coach and as a trainer bringing mind-body practices to schools. She is involved in programs that train teachers to do yoga with students and to engage in their own self-care. Brandon’s yoga practice deepened during her cancer treatment. One teacher from her yoga studio accompanied her when she went into the hospital for surgery, and another came to her home to help her practice as she recovered. Mindful breathing and poses like forward bends helped calm her when she was fearful or overwhelmed. “Cancer became my teacher,” she says.

Photo by Kimberly Peeples​

Randy Lopez

Claremont,  California
Stage III colon cancer at age 34 in 1998; Stage IV colon cancer at age 36 in 1999

Today: A 19-year survivor, Lopez does brand marketing and strategy for restaurants. He says that cancer affected the outlook of his entire family, including his wife, Beatrice Casagran, and their two daughters, who were ages 10 and 6 when he was initially diagnosed. “We tend to be a little more open to new things,” he says. “We don’t stress about little things.” Five years ago, Lopez, Casagran and their older daughter started a theater company called Ophelia’s Jump. Lopez, who has served as a spokesperson and speaker for various cancer-related organizations, currently serves on the boards of the theater company, the Colon Cancer Coalition and two loc​al business organizations. He also participates in community activities, such as emceeing the Claremont July Fourth parade (shown above). As a survivor, he says, “you feel like you have to live almost five lives.”