Cathy Tack has volunteered at Moffitt Cancer Center's Infusion Center every Thursday for over seven years. Her mission is simple but profound: to give back the hope that Moffitt gave her and her late husband, Ralph. In November 2012, ten months after they retired together, Ralph was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. What followed was nearly four years of relentless fighting, 75 rounds of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, and countless hospital stays under the care of Dr. Richard Kim and the Moffitt team.
Ralph never gave up. He enrolled in Total Cancer Care on his first appointment, wanting his blood and tissues to help future patients. Between treatments, he and Cathy traveled across the country, lived fully, and held onto hope. Ralph passed away in September 2016, just after his 70th birthday.
Cathy could have walked away from Moffitt after losing Ralph. Instead, she returned to serve. As a peer visitor, she meets patients and caregivers in their most difficult moments, sharing her story and reminding them they are not alone in their battle.
She calls Moffitt's researchers the "unsung heroes" who give patients and families hope through their dedication to finding cures. Every week, she leaves the cancer center filled with renewed faith that one day, a cure will be found.
Until then, Cathy keeps showing up, honoring Ralph's memory by being a light in the dark world of cancer.
To hear more of Cathy's journey, listen to the Moffitt "In It Together" podcast episode "We had a love story with Cathy Tack ".