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"This book is many things: a pragmatic and practical handbook on dealing with the details of cancer treatment, a book with helpful and inspirational vignettes, and most of all, a story of friends."

P. Kelly Marcom, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine

Meet the Authors

Susan Moonan, Pam Leight, Terri Schinazi, Nancy Emerson

Nancy Weaver Emerson
Nancy Emerson, who lived with cancer for more than 20 years, was a noted spokesperson for many cancer-related causes and organizations as well as a successful businesswoman. Recognized as North Carolina’s Most Distinguished Woman in Business in 1996, she focused much of her energy on supporting cancer patients and advancing research. She was a volunteer during the establishment of the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, and had a long association with the hospital and university, winning a number of awards for her service. She is the honoree of the endowed annual Nancy Weaver Emerson Lecture in Medical Ethics at Duke Medical Center. She served on the board of the National Patient Advocate Foundation, and was Coping magazine’s Cancer Survivor of the Year in 2002. She made presentations to the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and President Clinton’s Cancer Panel in Washington, D.C. She was interviewed extensively in both print and broadcast media, including Dr. Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power and NBC Nightly News. Her commitment and contributions to helping others with cancer survive her with the publishing of Finding the "CAN" in Cancer.

Pamela Davis Leight
Pam Leight has over 25 years of experience being a cancer caregiver, and has been a cancer patient as well. As the daughter, sister, wife, and mother of doctors, she has extensive knowledge of medical practitioners of many kinds. She has previously written a well-received medical index and a toxicology manual distributed by pediatricians nationwide. Her deep spiritual faith has led her to find ways to help those who need assistance, particularly patients with long-term illness. She has been an active volunteer and fundraiser for many causes, including the American Cancer Society. She has been a supporter of the Caring House in Durham, the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice in Winston-Salem, and her family has endowed a scholarship program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. A close friend and supporter of Nancy Emerson, Pam was instrumental in the inception and publication of Finding the "CAN" in Cancer.

Susan Comerford Moonan
Susan Moonan was a tireless advocate for cancer patients, amputees, and the disabled while battling cancer and its effects for over 20 years. She wrote and spoke often about cancer and surviving in a distinguished career of public service. She served on a number of boards and commissions, and was president and executive director of the United Amputee Services Association. She was an editor of Amputee Review and ACA In Motion, and a member of the Florida State Speakers Bureau for the American Cancer Society, receiving the Courage Award from the Florida Division of the ACS in 1988. She was a volunteer and volunteer coordinator with a number of patient support organizations. Susan received a Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service in 1991. She contributed to Finding the "CAN" in Cancer as a way to continue her service to cancer patients.

Terri Lynn Schexnaildre Schinazi
Terri Schinazi has lived with cancer for over 16 years. Her energy and enthusiasm have allowed her not only to persevere through her treatment, but also to volunteer in patient support and clinical research. She has been a long-term volunteer with the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program, and was an honored survivor at Duke’s annual Power of Knowledge seminar. She has received a number of honors and awards in the cancer community, including the Maureen Thomas Jordan “Spirit of Survivorship” award from the North Carolina affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and has been a sponsored guest survivor at the national Race in Washington, D.C for the last four years. She has been the opening ceremonies guest speaker at the Relay for Life in Durham, N.C. She has also been recruited by her oncologist to participate as a guest speaker in informational seminars with medical students going through their oncology rotations at Duke and with visiting pharmaceutical companies who rarely get to interact with the subjects of their work. Terri has great hopes for assisting cancer patients by co-authoring Finding the "CAN" in Cancer. Recently, Terri has established a non-profit organization, Wings For A Cure, for the express purpose of buying and distributing books to those patients who cannot afford them.