Cancer does not discriminate. It impacts all ages, races, genders and whether or not you’ve had it in the past. This is something that Samantha (Sam) Bertacci has experienced throughout her life.

As a four time cancer survivor, 28-year-old Sam has gone through a lifetime of trials. She received her first cancer diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia when she was six years old. Her treatment plan consisted of chemotherapy and radiation.

At the age of eight, Sam relapsed. “But this time, the treatment was a little more intense,” she said. She had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, but unfortunately, the transplant didn’t take. Because the bone marrow transplant was unsuccessful, Sam received a stem cell transplant the following month that resulted in a 17-year remission.

Sam was diagnosed with a different cancer called chondrosarcoma when she was 25. This was when she was first introduced to Hope Cancer Resources. On her 26th birthday, she had her left shoulder blade surgically removed to get rid of the cancer and we were able to provide financial assistance for her hotel stay in Little Rock, where she had the surgery.

In 2017, Sam joined our 6-week Art, Healing & Hope: Collaging Your Story support group. Group participants turn their personal cancer journeys into works of art on a canvas. “It definitely opened my eyes to past things that I really didn’t want to look at, but also family and friends and the experiences I’ve had,” Sam said. “I got to picture those and put them all together so that others could see that cancer is not all bad.” During the 6-weeks, Sam met and formed bonds with other survivors, each with a different type of cancer.
Sam has also utilized our fitness and yoga services through our Wellness Center for Hope. “Hope Cancer Resources gives you a safe place to interact with people just like you,” she said.
In the summer of 2018, Sam was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She received chemotherapy and is hopeful that her PET scans will remain clear.
Despite her long and arduous journey with cancer, Sam remains optimistic. “It’s emotional,” she said. “It’s physically and mentally painful, and it’s a burden that I live with every day. But I do it cheerfully with a smile on my face as much as possible. You have to stay positive.”
With support from family, friends and Hope Cancer Resources, Sam has been able to address her emotional concerns in a healthy and proactive way. “I think Hope Cancer Resources gives us hope,” she said.