Noelle Kneidinger

Co-Director, Ambassador Program

My mother, Tinamarie (pictured) was just 54 years young when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I was 22 at the time, had just graduated nursing school, with a little sister still in high school, along with an older brother. It was March 15, 2018 when we got the news- gastroesophogeal adenocarcinoma- our hearts sank. This was a cancer that we had never even heard of- “who the heck gets stomach cancer?” we all thought. 

The battleground was laid out and her oncologist came up with a plan- chemo, radiation, then removal of her stomach- “Don’t worry too much, Tina, we’re fighting for a cure here”. In April my warrior of a mother underwent chemo and radiation, as planned, and finished it June 15, 2018. In July we came to realize that we weren’t just fighting for a cure- but for her life. On August 5, 2018- less than 5 months after her diagnosis, my beautiful mother joined her parents in Heaven, after a VERY hard fought battle. 

I have decided to become an ambassador to make this horrible disease, that is too often underestimated, and overlooked, better known- to help parents to live long enough to grow old with not only their own kids, but with their grandkids. Raising awareness for stomach cancer and project periwinkle has become a huge part of my life and I am always open to talk about people’s personal or family struggles with this disease.