“These are all poor prognostic indicators.” In late 2019 and early 2020, I was in my late thirties, finally finding a groove in the rhythms of navigating a busy professional life and motherhood. I was also, I later discovered, experiencing troubling issues that, rather than symptoms of peri-menopause, were symptoms of an aggressive and very rare cancer, adrenocortical carcinoma. The clinical notes of the first appointment that followed a fast-tracked surgery and extended hospital stay, revelated this shattering prognosis observation along with a reference to a long-term five-year survival rate of zero percent.
I was devastated, but I was also determined.
My name is Elisabeth Drabkin, and I’m the wife of a loving husband, the mother of two delightful (and growing!) children, a sister, a daughter, and a friend always ready for a good story and a laugh. I also happen to be surviving and living with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma, or ACC.
The phrase “poor prognostic indicators” haunted me for years, but it also became a rallying call to action. Desperate to see my children grow up and so that others might not face such grim odds upon diagnosis, I became determined to upend the statistics associated with ACC by outliving them. I also decided to utilize my experience and story to advocate for myself, my family, and other patients and their families through volunteering with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
Whether participating in Lights of Hope, engaging with other volunteers and community members, or meeting with lawmakers, ACS CAN has helped me fulfill my commitment to be of service to my communities. Now, as a Voice of Hope for the American Cancer Society, I’m excited to interact with and help more people find the hope and purpose I’ve been so fortunate to find.