2025 Recipients

Ron Worby

Ron was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy cerebellar (MSA-C), a rare, progressive and incurable atypical Parkinsonian disease that affects coordination, balance, speech, blood pressure, sleep and urinary functions, eventually ending in complete immobility.

Ron was always a very physically active individual who enjoyed working out, camping, fishing and cooking. In 2020 he began acting out his dreams (REM sleep disorder) and had difficulty using his hands at work. He also had trouble walking and began slurring his words. After two years of traveling to physicians and specialists and undergoing medical tests, he finally was diagnosed. His illness progressed, and at age 56, he regretfully retired early from his 22-year building/maintenance job at HACC Lancaster that he so enjoyed. He also had to close the small BBQ business he’d longed to pursue into his later years.

There are no current treatments for Ron (or others with MSA), other than to maintain his symptoms. Ron searched for clinical trials, knowing they may not heal him, but perhaps his participation could help other patients in the future. He found and participated in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt University for a year. His symptoms stabilized, but two weeks after the last dosage he had his first big fall, and his walking and speech quickly worsened. But there is hope! Initial trial data reported in February (2025) was positive. When it becomes available, he wants to qualify to participate in the final phase. He also took part in a study at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia to test an early-detection method (none currently exist).

Doing what he can for the cause, he was a patient-participant at the first NeuroIMPACT Coalition Workshop for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and currently serves as a patient-advocate on a Registry Advisory Board with Mission MSA, a U.S.-based nonprofit research and support organization committed to finding a cure. Throughout his incredibly challenging journey, Ron continues to maintain a positive outlook, moves his body as much as he is able, enjoys spending time with his wife, family and friends, and prays to keep hope alive for new treatments and a cure to help him and others live.

Sharon Linnus

My name is Sharon, Sharon Joy. Funny, right? I am primarily a positive woman with rose-colored glasses, although I have a realistic perspective on life. I live life one blessed moment at a time. I am tenacious. However, that mindset was tested when cancer rocked my world on February 13, 2024. Let’s go back a bit. My children, Colin (18) and Liz (28), also mother to Arlo (5), who made me a GiGi, have been a grounding source of motivation in my life. I am a 47-year-old single woman, mother, friend, sister, daughter and registered nurse. Working out and being fit and busy are a big part of who I am.

After losing my job in marketing as a 20-year LPN, I went back to school. Three grueling years later -- working full time, going to school and caring for my home -- the stress was insurmountable. Never have I given up so much. My children and friend-family, imperative to my life, supported me the whole way. Little did I know those awful, challenging, exhausting and sometimes painful days were preparing me for my quite undesirable and mind-blowing next chapter.

Graduation from St. Joseph College in Lancaster took place in December 2023. Oh, the relief! Colin and I went to the gym together on January 2 so he could train me for a tough mudder in May. Two days later, I began to have pain in my right hip. Thinking it was just a strained muscle, I kept going. Weeks went by. I was using lidocaine patches and hot water bottles to help the pain. Work during that time consisted of three 12-hour shifts. Painfully, I powered through. Each step I took, noticeably limping, shot waves of pain through my hips.  On Monday, February 12, I walked into work and left in a wheelchair. After a primary care physician (PCP) visit, of which they had no idea what was going on with me, an MRI was completed on February 13. I was using crutches, as walking was incredibly painful.

The PCP call came at that same time I was reading results on my portal. Bone metastasis vs multiple myeloma (MM). Multiple lesions in hips, pelvis and sacrum. My brain was exploding with questions, fear ... and relief that we had some answers. My physical, emotional and mental strength were about to be challenged in ways I could not imagine. Valentine’s Day, 2024. I awoke at 5 a.m. I could not walk well on land, but if I didn’t actively work my muscles, I was fearful of losing mobility altogether. I texted a lifeguard friend at the Lancaster Y and asked him to get me into the water for aqua therapy. And, so it began. This journey fueled by determination that I was going to walk and live successfully. I went daily for my own aquatic therapy, as well as sauna time to rejuvenate.

A week later, after intensive oncology testing, I received a call from an oncologist at Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute. Her words: Your calcium is at detrimental levels. Your bones are breaking down, releasing calcium into your blood stream. This is affecting your heart and other organs negatively. Go home, pack a bag and come to the ER immediately. We will do your workup in-patient. I called my long-time sister-friend, April, who took me in that day. During a five-day hospital stay, and after a plethora of testing, multiple physician teams preparing me for multiple myeloma diagnosis, and countless medications, I was on my way to learning about this new life. A bone-marrow biopsy confirmed MM. The oncology nurses were amazing, offering support and comfort. One day, after a bone-building infusion, I was so sick that my children came in to sit by side and hold my hands. Honestly, I thought I was dying. Turns out, it wasn’t my time yet!

My family and friends were there with me every step. Colin and Liz braved this diagnosis with me. We spoke openly about cancer, treatment and plans if I died. I am so blessed also with the friend support my children received, which helped to carry them through this unnerving event. People came out of the woodwork to help. My niece, Wilay, checked in daily for any assistance she could offer. My neighbor and other friends took me to radiation and chemo, brought meals, took me to lunch. My girlfriends constantly picked me up for social hour or fun events, accommodating my crutches or ensuring I had a chair to relax in during an outing. A friend’s mother came weekly to clean, do laundry and help organize. I couldn’t have made it without ALL the support. The fear of the unknown had been replaced with tenaciousness. I was not going to break. Last year I was able to see Colin head off to Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia for his freshman year in college! What a blessed moment!

I lost my job during diagnosis, as I had forgotten to sign up for short-term and long-term disability at the end of my school year. I couldn’t walk and my employer could not accommodate me in a wheelchair. My friend, Kate, spoke with me about a GoFundMe page. Oh. I thought, I can’t do that! Because of being in school, I had taken lower-paying positions to accommodate my schedule and was barely making ends meet. The GoFundMe helped with my mortgage and other bills while I embarked on radiation and chemotherapy.  The radiation offered such pain relief! Chemotherapy was weekly, and tolerable. I began doing hot yoga again. A longtime friend, Kent, offered use of his yoga studio. At the beginning I needed to use the elevator to the second floor. Weeks later, I was able to use stairs with crutches. By mid-April I was crutch free!

I needed employment that offered flexibility. Of all positions, I was offered a role with hospice as an RN case manager. Yes, a newly diagnosed cancer patient working as a hospice nurse. Wow, this journey was baffling. I completed treatment in June 2024. I felt good and made fun memories that summer! My children and I spent a week in North Carolina, running the beaches after receiving a gift from the foundation, A Week Away. It was a fabulous time with my children. Four months after diagnosis, and not knowing if I would walk normally, I was chasing Arlo on the beach! Running!! Playing football, finding ghost crabs. I continued aggressive hot yoga four to six times per week. This was my healing. The meditation calmed my soul. And the practice strengthened my body. I began hiking again. Completing my own lawn care was such a joy! I recall telling April, whose husband helped with my lawn for a few weeks, I mowed my lawn today!

October 2024 revealed new heart issues, which required surgical intervention and eventually new medications. MM has stayed under control. There is the underlying thought it can return at any time. I do not allow this to impede me enjoying each day. This journey is a work in progress. Many days I remember looking in the mirror and saying you can do this; get up, go be better than this disease. Sometimes I cried, like I am now, recalling these events. Liz and I recently celebrated my one-year diagnosis anniversary with champagne, flowers and a delicious dinner. She called me a warrior. I love the meaning and my children so very much. Ever changing, I have learned so much about my inner spirit, my warrior, our world, the kind souls that embrace us, our community, and relationships long built or new. I will always appreciate the hug from a friend, a kind word, the laughter brought by enjoying time with those I love, seeing the sun rise or set, the peace and soul comfort from a hike. This universe is beautiful! My heart is grateful every day. We aren’t here for a long time, we’re here for a good time!

Blakely Kling

As a sweet and almost 2-year-old, Blakely woke up one morning in early July refusing to walk or bear any weight on her right foot. Not thinking much of it, we continued our activities for the day. Noticing that her foot didn’t seem to be improving, we took her in for X-rays, the results of which didn’t show any physical abnormalities. They soft-casted her leg for the weekend and encouraged us to follow up with an orthopedic doctor. After meeting with the orthopedic, we obtained more X-rays, which also showed nothing. We were told that they would be putting Blakely’s leg into a hard cast as a preventative measure. 

This did not sit well with Spencer or me. Something just did not make sense. The symptoms she was exhibiting did not justify a hard cast. We were told to keep her in the cast for three weeks and then follow up. Five days into having the hard cast, we accidentally got water inside of it, prompting the need for it to be removed. This visit occurred on the weekend, so we were told to follow up with the same orthopedic doctor on Monday to re-evaluate. They soft-casted her leg and I called to schedule a follow up with a different provider. 

We met with a new orthopedic doctor who wanted to X-ray her entire leg. Upon viewing the X-rays, the doctor said to us, “I see something here in her bones, but I don’t know what it is. I will put in an order for blood work, and you need to do this immediately.” That afternoon, our lives changed forever after obtaining Blakely’s blood-work results. Immediately seeing them come through on “MyChart,” we knew something was very wrong. Within minutes the doctor was calling us instructing us to get to Hershey Medical Center’s ER immediately. There, Blakely endured a plethora of tests, which led to a diagnosis of B-cell acute (B-ALL) leukemia. By the grace of God, we were told that this type of leukemia is the most common cancer in children and has a very high cure rate. 

We were then told her treatment would be conducted over an intense 2-1/2-3 years. Since stepping foot into Hershey Medical Center for the first time (and every time after), we have felt God walking each step with us and seeing his blessings over Blakely despite how challenging this road has been so far. This has put Tori’s capability to work on hold. And amidst all these abrupt changes, our family also welcomed our second baby, Weston, in November! It had been such a whirlwind, but we are so thankful for organizations such as Field of Hope that can assist us in alleviating some of the financial burden. This allows us to focus on caring for our “Sweet B” with a bit more ease.  

Patrick Herr

On October 5, 2023, life as we knew it changed. Our hard-working, loving father and husband, and avid sports coach, Patrick Herr, was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As a result, he had to undergo surgeries, ultrasounds, CT scans, biopsies, PET scans, chemo and lots of bloodwork.

It became clear that cancer was taking a toll. Patrick was no longer able to work, and coaching became difficult at times, due to appointments and treatments. The bills began stacking up. After battling for several months, the lymphoma stopped responding to treatment, prompting a transfer to the Penn State Cancer Institute in Hershey. He began immunotherapy with the end goal being a stem cell transplant. 

On Oct 2, 2024, almost a year from his diagnosis date, Patrick received his stem cell transplant. He was hospitalized for 20 days and continued to quarantine while at home in order for his immune system to grow. During his hospital stay, Patrick’s wife, Keri, cared for their two children Lucas (10) and Jackson (5) while traveling to Hershey daily. Once Patrick was home, Keri was deemed his primary caregiver and was not allowed to work for 30 days during this delicate time in his recovery. 

Patrick’s immune system is slowly returning, along with his strength and endurance. He continues to fight fatigue and the lingering side effects from his treatments. On February 17, 2025, the Herr family received news that Patrick is officially in remission! Despite being in remission, Patrick still has some work to do. At the 12-month mark, post-transplant, Patrick will be allowed to return to normality.

Through the support of their community, the Herr family has been able to continue this fight. The financial burden that cancer caused the family was overwhelming. The Herr family thanks their community for standing behind them throughout their journey. Their journey isn’t quite over, and the rebuilding will take time, but with the love and support of our family, friends and community, we will continue to fight and get through this!

Moriah Freeman

 When I was born I suffered shoulder dystocia with brachial erbs pausy in my Left arm. This injury left me with permanent disability to my arm. I literally came into this world with an injury and that started a lifetime of sickness and more injuries. People would often joke and say I should live in a bubble because of how often I got hurt. People didn’t understand why I experienced so much pain. I started dealing with back pain as a young teen. I was told to lose weight or that I was exaggerating. I always knew something was “wrong” but couldn’t figure out what and doctors never had answers. After giving birth in 2020, my back got a lot worse but still doctors just dismissed me as needing to lose weight.

In November of 2022 I was hospitalized for a week due to H pylori and 7 stomach ulcers. This began the downfall of my health. I watched my body rapidly decline. My stomach issues got 10x worse and I suffered an injury to my Right arm and L knee. In 2023 I saw a tiktok video about hypermobile EDS and POTS and remember thinking “that’s me”! I finally found a neurologist that believed me and sent me to a specialist where I was finally diagnosed 5 days before my 31 birthday with Hypermobile EDS and POTS.

I’ve lost count of how many endoscopy’s I’ve had in the last 2 years along with so many scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood test, ER visits and specialist. I had my 8th, 9th and 10th surgery from July 2023-august 2024 and have more in my near future. On top of becoming so sick, I have been fighting a journey of mental illness for most of my life and I am raising my son that has autism as a single mom. I haven’t been able to work since March of 2023 and if it wasn’t for friends, my son and I wouldn’t have our home still.

With a very small village, things have been hard to say the least. I spend most days in bed due to all my pain and if I’m not in bed I’m at the several doctor appointments I have a week or taking care of my son when he’s not in school. This disease has no cure and I will forever cling to the hope that my body can one day get stronger again. My friends and son keep me going and clinging to hope. Even on my worst days, I always manage to find something to be thankful for and I know my story doesn’t end here! 

Sara Mitchell

Sara’s life has always been driven by passion, adventure, and a deep love for the West Coast. After spending over a decade in Los Angeles, she fully embraced the city’s vibrant culture, incredible food scene, and the unique mix of energy and relaxation that makes it so special. Those years shaped not only her career in Product Design but also her outlook on life—spontaneous, fun, and always ready for what was next.

That same spirit carries through in everything she does, even as life has taken an unexpected turn. In recent years, health challenges have put her career on hold, but Sara’s resilience has never wavered. She faces each day with strength, grace, and an unshakable determination to keep moving forward.

At home, Sara is surrounded by love—her wife, her parents, and their two cherished cats, River and Louis, who bring endless comfort and joy. Her deep affection for animals is just one reflection of her caring and compassionate nature, something that has always defined her. Sara’s health struggles began in 2020 when doctors discovered a benign cyst. At the time, she was assured it wasn’t life-threatening and that it could be addressed in the future.

But as the years went on, her pain only worsened. What followed were years of frustration, countless medical visits, and an exhausting cycle of misdiagnoses, conflicting opinions, and dead ends. She endured excruciating pain daily, gradually losing strength and the ability to function as she once had. Simple tasks became overwhelming, and her once-active lifestyle was slowly stripped away by an illness no one seemed to take seriously. In 2023, she finally underwent surgery to remove the cyst, hopeful that relief was finally in sight. But instead of recovery, her health took a drastic turn. Within weeks, she faced sudden renalfailure, landing her in the hospital once again. The complications kept piling up, and the search for answers became more urgent than ever.

After months of grueling tests, hospital stays, and moments of sheer exhaustion, the answer finally came—though it was one no one wanted to hear. On February 14, 2024, Sara was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer.

Since her diagnosis, she has endured aggressive treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and both internal and external radiation. Each treatment has come with its own set of life-altering side effects, forcing her to adapt to a new reality. The toll on her body has been profound—loss of normal function, constant fatigue, and pain that lingers no matter how strong she is. But through it all, she has never stopped fighting.

Despite the immense physical and emotional challenges, Sara continues to face each day with courage and an unwavering spirit. She is preparing for another round of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, knowing the road ahead will not be easy. But if there’s one thing that has remained constant through all of this, it’s her strength. Sara is so much more than her illness. She is a force of resilience, love, and determination—a person who, even in the face of unimaginable hardship, continues to bring warmth and light to those around her.