More than 18 million people in the United States today have faced cancer and have emerged as survivors. National Cancer Survivor Month recognizes their journey from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. Throughout the month of June, we will feature stories from Aultman Cancer Center patients in honor of cancer survivors everywhere.

As kids, Debbie Eichler and her older sister Vallerie knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. Debbie planned to work in business, and Vallerie dreamed of being a nurse. They achieved their aspirations, and looking back, Debbie believes Vallerie’s calling to the medical field was divine intervention that saved her life.

Debbie is a Northeast Ohio native, and her family has a history of longevity. She had decades of good health, which meant she never got around to getting established with a primary care physician. Then, three years ago while Debbie and her husband were in Florida for the winter, she became extremely nauseated and had little appetite. At the wise counsel of Vallerie, Debbie sought medical care. She underwent immediate surgery and learned she had a cancerous tumor and that part of her colon would need to be removed.

Debbie received treatment in Florida, but she knew that she would need follow-up care when she and her husband returned home to Ohio. While still a patient in the Florida hospital, Debbie answered a call from a social worker at AultCare, her health insurance provider.

That social worker connected Debbie to Sunitha Vemulapalli, M.D., with Aultman Hematology and Oncology and even set up her first appointment.

“I did not know what my next steps were once I returned to Stark County, and the call from the social worker made the transition so smooth,” Debbie said. “I am just blown away by how seamless the care has been at Aultman."

Navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment plan can be overwhelming, but Debbie feels confident and reassured by the care she has received from her oncologist. “Dr. Vemulapalli is thorough and never makes you feel like you can’t ask questions,” Debbie said. “She is always upbeat and cheerful, regardless of what other challenges she may be dealing with.”

Because of her innate sense of curiosity and desire to pay it forward, Debbie enrolled in two clinical trials supporting cancer research. “I feel it is imperative to further cancer treatment,” Debbie said. “Someday, we will be able to determine the cause and identify those at most risk, and that only happens through research.”

Debbie encourages others to get established with a primary care physician and to find their own healthcare advocates.

“I am grateful for my sister Vallerie, who strongly encouraged me to seek medical care,” Debbie said. “In addition, without the AultCare social worker making the call at the right time, I would not have been connected to the Aultman Cancer Center, Dr. Vemulapalli and Kristin Shine, an oncology nurse with clinical trials.”

Today, Debbie enjoys daily life with her family and continues to prioritize her health and cancer treatment. When asked what’s next, Debbie said, “I hope one day to be able to volunteer with the Aultman Cancer Center in some way, continuing to give back and share my experience with others.”

To support cancer patients in their treatment journey, consider a gift to Aultman’s CancerCare Fund. This fund assists patients with expenses such as transportation, groceries, prescription assistance and medical supplies. One hundred percent of donations to the CancerCare Fund go directly to cancer patients, to alleviate the burden of other costs often incurred during treatment.