On Oct. 17, thanks to God, I celebrated 10 years of being cancer free. At this time I was living on Martha’s Vineyard. I will never forget the people who stood by me when I was walking into the valley.

I would like to thank the Vineyard community, including the Catholic community (Brazilians and Americans), Irma Maria Alves, Viviane L. Destefani and family, Valci Carvalho (pastor), Sandra Carvalho, Reinaldo E. Angela (in memoriam), Lucia Oliveira, my friend Joana Da Silva (for her compassion and love), my brother Nilson Lara, my daughters Gisely Jacob Fish, Tati Silva and especially Bob Rossignol, for standing by me all the times I went to Dana Farber Cancer Center for treatment. Without of you all I would be lost. Valci Carvalho, thanks for waiting for me at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital waiting room while I had surgery. I know for a fact that you were praying for me the whole time.

Also thanks to Ken Lay, both Island Stop & Shops and the Island cancer support group for your support. My sincere gratitude to all who went to buy a Brazilian feijoada at the Catholic church in Vineyard Haven where the fundraising took place to help on my expenses.

After five surgeries, it helps a lot. For the rest of my life that act of pure love will be in my heart because no matter you all joined for that cause.

I am living in Brazil now, but I miss all my friends I made back then.

Mara Rossignol
Curitiba Paraná, Brazil