In May 2007, Toni received a phone call telling her that her sister had been diagnosed with Small Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer.

“It’s not good. It’s small cell.”

Toni immediately began searching online. She found words like poor prognosis, learned how incredibly rare this cancer was, and read about the low survival rate. Her greatest fear was that her sister was not going to make it.

Toni flew to Michigan without telling her sister she was coming. By the time she arrived, treatment had already begun. Toni stayed by her side—going to treatments, radiation appointments, and doctor visits, while also sharing quieter moments watching movies together. Through it all, Toni carried the fear of losing her sister.

Her sister had been told she would likely never meet another woman with the same cancer. But through Sorority of Hope, women with this rare diagnosis began finding one another. Toni remembers the early gatherings and the power of seeing so many women come together, many meeting another small cell survivor for the first time.

Toni remained beside her sister as those gatherings began because she did not know what the future held.

“If something happens to my sister, I don’t want to be alone.”

That fear became part of Toni’s purpose. She never wanted another woman, sister, or supporter to feel alone. She traveled to be with women who had no one beside them, offering the same presence and love she had given her own sister.

Nearly 20 years later, Toni remains hopeful because of everything Sorority of Hope continues to do—bringing women and families together, supporting research, and creating a community where both those diagnosed and the people who love them have a place to belong.

Toni’s story reminds us that supporters are walking this road, too. They carry fear, provide strength, show up, and remain beside the women they love—even when they are afraid of what tomorrow may bring.

Because no woman—and no one who loves her—should ever have to face this alone.