The SDH-deficient GIST family mourn the passing of two beloved group members, Cathy Freeman and Nancy Smith.
Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman was the daughter of Disney executive, George Sherman, who served as the Head of Publications and Foreign Relations at Walt Disney Studios from the late 1950s until 1974. Her father died at the age of 45 from SDH-deficient GISTs and paragangliomas. 20 years ago, Cathy herself was diagnosed with GIST and learned that she had inherited an SDHB mutation from her father. Cathy, armed with this information, became a force of nature in her search to support others and to find a cure for SDH-deficient cancers. Her determination led her to co-found a non-profit corporation and Facebook Group called the SDH-Research Advocates (SDH-RA). The hope was to harness the energy of unity of all types of SDH-deficient tumor patient groups (GISTs, pheo/para, pituitary, thyroid, and renal cell carcinoma) to speed research progress. The SDH-RA also provided a place for those with any SDH cancer to communicate and connect with each other. Over the years, she provided comfort and support for countless others while carrying the immense weight of her own private GIST journey. She will be missed…
Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith experienced a tumor growth on her stomach in 1988 at the age of 24. She was told that she had a smooth muscle tumor, and it was removed in 1989, at which point she went on with living her life. She became a teacher and an adventurer. Her adventures included bike rides which ranged in distance from 58 to 200 miles. She did an across the U.S. driving trip, alone, to see family and friends. She made more than a dozen trips to France, including one where she chaperoned high school students on an educational trip. Always in motion, she enjoyed horseback riding, skydiving, scuba diving, ziplining, camping, and roller coaster rides. In a rude awakening, GIST re-entered her life in 2022 when she developed spots on her liver. She learned that these liver spots were the metastases of her initial GIST tumor resulting from an SDHA mutation. She participated in clinical treatment, knowing that the outcome, while uncertain for her, could help others in the future. As was her nature, she became a friend to many, including those in The Life Raft Group’s SDH Support Group.
Nancy and Cathy both fought a valiant battle with their GIST. For their selflessness, sheer will, and courage, they will be lovingly remembered.
