Patient Stories - Alliance Cancer Specialists

Sabrina

Sabrina with Alliance employees

Sabrina Escaleira, a Kindergarten teacher at McDonald Elementary, drew inspiration from her mother Ana’s cancer journey, which began in April 2011 under Dr. Reilly’s care at our Langhorne office. Witnessing her mother’s resilience during chemotherapy motivated Sabrina to launch a schoolwide project.

The “Get Well Bags” initiative engaged students from Centennial School District in Warminster, PA. Students contributed by assembling the bags, selecting items, crafting cards, and decorating them. Through the collective efforts of the school community, 200 bags were prepared for patients at Alliance Cancer Specialists, thanks to generous donations from McDonald Elementary.

Sabrina's Get Well Bags

Vicki

Vicki was a patient of Dr. Lebovic in 2014-15. She was diagnosed with bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and stage 4 lung cancer due to metastasis. At the time, St. Mary’s didn’t have trial medications, and chemotherapy wasn’t effective for her lungs. Dr. Lebovic tirelessly researched hospitals and trials, finding a promising one at Penn’s Perelman Center, where Vicki was accepted into the program. Due to her experience, she brought “Kindness Bags” into existence.

“Dr. Lebovic saved my life. I’ve been in remission for seven years, allowing me to see my children grow up, return to teaching Pre-K, and cherish time with my family and husband. God is so good!” She told us, “having experienced the hardships of treatment, I always wanted to give back. The kindness bags initiative aims to show patients they are special and loved. The heartfelt thank-yous I’ve received from patients bring tears to my eyes.”

Our Lady of Good Counsel Parishioners and Youth Group in Southampton, PA, donate items for the kindness bags. These bags include candy treats, granola bars, cookies, pretzels, chips, peanut butter crackers, mints, hard candy, popcorn, small water bottles, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and more. They have donated 150 bags to Alliance Cancer Specialists and another 150 to other treatment centers.

“This is our third year of kindness bags and OLGC Youth Group also engages in various service projects. We make over 1,000 PB&J sandwiches for the homeless, create 300 Halloween bags for needy students, donate school supplies, provide over 300 turkeys with fixings to families in need, bake goods for nursing homes, and prepare 100 meals for the sick and homebound. Wherever there’s a need, we strive to make a difference!”

Vicki is a true inspiration to all – we are so honored to have been trusted with her care during her journey and the impact she leaves on others. Thank you, Vicki!

Lisa

Lisa's patient story

For over a decade, Lisa Sucharski has been on a remarkable journey with Alliance Cancer Specialists at Lankenau Hospital, guided by the expert care of Dr. Zonera Ali and her dedicated team. Lisa’s story is not just about battling cancer but about resilience, support, and the profound impact of personalized care.

Lisa’s journey began unexpectedly in her early twenties when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Positive Breast Cancer in 2014. Despite the initial shock, she found solace at Alliance Cancer Specialists, as Dr. Ali crafted a personalized treatment plan that propelled Lisa into remission shortly after her diagnosis.

Yet another pivotal moment in Lisa’s life occurred when she received a re-diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer in 2016. Yet, amidst the challenges, Lisa found a beacon of hope in the compassionate care of Alliance Cancer Specialists. Dr. Ali’s willingness to listen and address Lisa’s concerns, even during unplanned phone calls, exemplifies the patient-centered approach that defines Alliance Cancer Specialists. Lisa expressed, “when the questions started to come hard and fast, Dr. Ali took my phone call in the middle of the day and talked me through every concern. There have been many unplanned phone calls from me to Dr. Ali’s phone and it is never long before she answers the call with ‘how are you, darling?’ That level of care and “learning together” has been a great grounding force.

Lisa recalled a moment in her journey, “on what was my ‘last treatment’ in my first go-around, I came into my appointment to find rose petals guiding me to my favorite chair that was also covered in petals. That is a core memory I will never lose.” Small but significant acts of kindness created an environment where Lisa felt not just supported, but more importantly, cherished. “That sense of still being treated as a ‘person’ and not just a ‘patient’ has been so pivotal to me and my sense of identity while navigating my life with cancer.”

Dr. Ali views Lisa’s journey as a testament to the advancements in cancer care and the power of personalized treatment plans. “We are moving away from general treatment to more personalized and targeted treatments that focus on the genes responsible for the cancer. At Alliance, we have a variety of clinical trials that are a driving force in making patients live longer while also improving their quality of life.”

Originally drawn to the study of Oncology due to the unique relationship between the patient and the Oncologist, Dr. Ali’s relationship with Lisa is the perfect example of why she continues to provide the care she does. “Every interaction with Lisa is a pleasant one. She is always so full of energy and is smiling. Lisa volunteers to talk to young patients undergoing treatment and fills them with hope.” She shares, “Lisa’s resilience and courage serve as a source of inspiration, both for her care team and fellow patients, as she generously volunteers to help others facing similar battles.”

In Lisa’s ongoing fight against cancer, Alliance Cancer Specialists serves as her steadfast ally. She stresses the significance of seeking a healthcare provider who prioritizes patient well-being above all else and urges others on similar paths not to compromise on feeling heard and respected by their oncologist and care team. Alliance feels privileged to have played a crucial role in Lisa’s narrative.

David

David with his art “After being diagnosed with Anemia in December 2023, I struggled to find a physician who took my concerns seriously until I met Dr. Lebovic at Alliance. From day one, Dr. Lebovic prioritized my health, initiating proper treatment like iron infusions. His personalized approach and the supportive atmosphere at Alliance made me feel valued and cared for and thanks to their expertise and compassion, my health has significantly improved. Dr. Lebovic took the time and effort to connect with me on a personal level by showing interest in my artwork, which means so much to me. At Alliance Cancer Specialists, every patient is treated as a unique individual, not just a number on a chart.”

– David A. Karasow, Patient and Artist

Stacy

Stacy and husband with certificate and bell

Stacy was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in May of 2022 when she was referred to Dr. Chasky at our Bensalem office. After chemotherapy and surgery, Stacy was in remission by November 2022. Three months later in February of 2023, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With this diagnosis, she needed radiation.

“I knew I wanted to continue receiving treatment at Alliance due to the amazing care I received already during my first diagnosis.” Stacy began receiving care from our Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Chang.

“Dr. Chang and the Red Lion Team are so supportive and made me feel comfortable. They took the time to answer questions, I never felt rushed. They walked me through the whole process and what it would be like. I always knew what to expect. That calmed my fears. I was immediately comfortable at Alliance. They genuinely care about their patients and are highly skilled.”

“If I could offer a piece of advice to those just beginning this journey..taking one day at a time and not thinking too far ahead is what helped me after my diagnosis. It was important for me to keep a positive attitude. Receiving a cancer diagnosis made me feel out of control. I had to calm my uncertainty and fears by focusing on what I can control in the present moment, (diet, exercise, treatment options, my attitude etc.) It is easier said than done. Especially when access to the internet allows you to research everything which increases my worry and fears. It is best to only use the internet as a tool with a greater focus on consulting with your doctor when you have questions.

Once I realized that worrying could not change my diagnosis or my outcome, I was able to focus on the present. That is how I found peace. Staying hydrated is important. I would often receive fluids in between chemo treatments which helped me feel better. The best decision I made was choosing Alliance Cancer Specialists for all my treatment needs.”

Thank you for sharing your Alliance experience, Stacy! We wish you continued health on your journey.

Leo

photo of Leo

Meet Leo Botta. He is the co-founder of Grammy’s Gifts, an organization that is committed to providing cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments with little goody bags of comfort.

Leo’s wife, Tricia, was a patient at Alliance Cancer Specialists. When she saw how many others couldn’t afford hats or jackets, she started bringing these things in to help. Tricia sadly passed away in June of 2018, and Leo has kept her mission alive.

These gift bags contain snacks, lotion, eyebrow tattoos, chapstick, socks and crochet hats made with love from friends, families and neighbors.

https://www.grammysgifts.org/

Together, we can find strength in shared experiences and inspire one another.