John Yoder had some help beating cancer. Now he’s helping others.
After a successful stem cell transplant and radiation therapy, John Yoder dedicates his time to helping other cancer patients and survivors.
John Yoder of Danville was 44 years old when he developed hip pain that would not go away.
“My doctor said, ‘Let’s see what’s going on. You’re 44 and shouldn’t be having this yet,’” says Mr. Yoder.
After an X-ray revealed a tumor, further testing confirmed a type of cancer called multiple myeloma. This rare blood cancer develops in bone marrow and can spread throughout the body. Besides his hip, Mr. Yoder had tumors on his chest, head and near his spine.
That was nearly 10 years ago. Mr. Yoder’s treatment at Geisinger Medical Center included radiation therapy and a stem cell transplant — which saved his life.
Innovative cancer treatments in rural Pennsylvania
Mr. Yoder says he’s deeply grateful for the care team at Geisinger and the cutting-edge cancer treatment — and how he didn’t have to travel for either one.
“I was very grateful to be so close to Geisinger. Some of the most remarkable people on the planet took care of me,” he says.
Mr. Yoder had an autologous stem cell transplant. In this procedure, the stem cells restore a patient’s bone marrow and immune system after high doses of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Doctors collected Mr. Yoder’s own healthy stem cells from his blood, then reinfused them after his radiation.
“The doctors were wonderful,” he says. “The nurses and physician assistants were lifesavers. They put their hands on your hands and walk you home.”
Inspiring others with cancer
Mr. Yoder is vice president of commercial lending at Northumberland National Bank. He travels often, and says that inspired him.
“I go to England and we rent a house in the countryside. It was my motivation to get better,” he says.
As a patient, he reached out to many others going through cancer treatment.
Hematology nurse practitioner Jamie Weeder, who’s known Mr. Yoder since 2014, has helped connect him with others dealing with cancer.
“John is just a wonderful person. He has a big heart,” Ms. Weeder says. “We see him in the clinic every three months and he’s happy to see everyone and thank them for the care they’ve provided.”
Mr. Yoder has been in remission for eight years, and has dedicated much of his time to helping other cancer survivors. He’s starting a nonprofit, The Survivor’s Journey, and plans to do a podcast.
“Everyone’s life changes when they go through cancer. Some people give up hope, and I don’t like to see that,” he says. “I think it’s important that we talk about sensitive things that everybody deals with.”
“He is really wanting to give back to the community, developing a survivorship podcast and trying to provide resources for cancer survivors and patients living with cancer,” Ms. Weeder says. “We see more and more patients living with cancer, and to provide them with resources and community support is amazing.”
Next steps:
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Learn about cancer care at Geisinger
See how genetic testing helped another cancer survivor