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Appalachia’s Burden
A personal perspective of Kentuckians who shoulder the weight that cancer can bring to a family and their community.
Kentucky’s Appalachian region has some of the highest cancer rates in the United States. Various factors contribute to this disparity in the region’s cancer rates, including physician shortages, challenges in health care engagement, poverty, higher rates of tobacco use and health conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Early detection and regular health care screenings can make the difference between life and death.
Early detection and regular health care screenings can make the difference between life and death.
MADISON COUNTY, KY
Little Things
Windi Rader fought breast cancer with the support of family and friends while continuing to teach science at Madison Central High School and Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky. “The kids needed me, especially my AP Chemistry students,” Rader said. “I couldn’t let them down.”
3,950
Estimated new cases in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with breast cancer
640
Estimated deaths in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with breast cancer
84%
The estimated survival rate in 2022 for Kentuckians diagnosed with breast cancer
SOURCE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY / CANCER STATISTICS CENTER
Windi Rader stands in her home by an old photo of her daughter while talking about her experience with breast cancer.
“The kids needed me, ... I couldn’t let them down.”
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KY
A Promise
The Orme family knows more than most about the toll that cancer can take. After a long battle, they lost two of their own: their mom and dad. Today, Mark and Pinky's children, Stacy and Clint, along with the rest of the Orme family, work to honor their parents’ legacy through their philanthropy, Pinky's Promise, and the bloodline of Belgian Draft horses, which dates back four decades.
130
The amount of families that the Pinky's Promise organization assisted
$48,000
The amount that Pinky's Promise has raised to help families cope with cancer
10
Number of years Pinky's Promise has been a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting families facing cancer
SOURCE: PINKY'S PROMISE
Clint Orme embraces one of his family's Belgian Draft Horses. "I miss my parents every day. I know that they're here watching out for me, but I just wish that I could still talk to them," Clint said.
"I know he is still here."
JOHNSON COUNTY, KY
Hope in the Foothills
Jennifer Goggans lives in the quiet town of Paintsville, Ky., tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. After battling ovarian cancer in 2018, she now devotes her life to her extended family and works as a full-time mother and caregiver.
260
Estimated new cases in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with ovarian cancer
170
Estimated deaths in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with ovarian cancer
34%
The estimated survival rate in 2022 for Kentuckians diagnosed with ovarian cancer
SOURCE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY / CANCER STATISTICS CENTER
Jennifer Goggans was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2018. This form of cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it is aggressive and difficult to detect in its early stages. But Goggans was determined to overcome this hardship for the sake of her daughter and extended family. Today, she has been cancer-free for almost three years.
"It's the best job I have ever had."
WAYNE COUNTY, KY
The Life of a Champion
Tim Pyles was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on Nov. 20, 2020. A year later, Pyles has shown no sign of cancer for three months. Having just fought the toughest battle of his life, he wakes up every day with a newfound gratitude for his life as a champion: filled with faith, cattle and his first grandchild, Leni.
2,540
Estimated new cases in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with colorectal cancer
880
Estimated deaths in 2022 of Kentuckians diagnosed with colorectal cancer
65%
The estimated survival rate in 2022 for Kentuckians diagnosed with colorectal cancer
45
Suggested age to talk to your doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer
SOURCE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY / CANCER STATISTICS CENTER
One-month old Leni Appleby was the spark Tim Pyles needed to push through treatment for his colorectal cancer. He considers family and faith the two most important things in his life. "That's all it boils down to," Pyles said. "Being able to hold your grandbaby for the first time is just amazing to me."
“The first thing I try to do every morning is thank God for letting my feet hit the floor.”
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KY
Sick Blood
When Shannon and Stan Stull adopted their son, Noah, they had no way of knowing what was in store for them. Noah was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was four years old and as of March 2022, has been battling the disease for two years. A battle with cancer is never easy, but the Stull’s team of family members and Kentucky Children’s Hospital doctors are there to help Noah, Shannon and Stan as much as they can.
33%
Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers
85%
Children with cancer who survive 5 years or more, up 28% since the mid 1970's
1,050
Estimated deaths in 2022 of children in the U.S. under the age of 15
SOURCE: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY / CANCER STATISTICS CENTER
Most of the time Noah Stull is full of energy, despite battling Leukemia. After consistent treatment by doctors at the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, Noah has entered the maintenance phase of his treatment. During this phase, Noah is able to see doctors less and spend all of his time at home.
“It takes a village to raise this child."
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
MARKEY CANCER CENTER
800 Rose St.
Lexington, KY 40536
859-257-4488