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When Claudia Presto quit her corporate job in New York City to pursue her passion for rescuing greyhounds, she knew shed be leaving a lot behindher friends, her family, and her stable career.
But she was prepared for the distance from her former life to build a new one dedicated to creating a sanctuary for greyhounds in rural Utah. What she didnt expect was the distance from a major medical center.
Facing a Diagnosis Far from Care
Claudia had established a new life in Kanab, Utah, a home for her rescued dogs, and an organization advocating to end greyhound racing. She loved her new life in rural Utah.
But in 2023, one of her dogs accidentally bumped her nose so hard she thought it was broken. After months of pain, she saw a specialist, who, after several appointments and biopsies, diagnosed Claudia with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) inside her nose. SCC is a type of skin cancer that usually appears on the face, ears, or hands. In Claudias case, it had developed in her nasal cavity.
The tumor caused constant, painful throbbing. It felt like there was movement in my nose, like there were bugs moving inside, Claudia says. Claudia made an appointment at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake Citya 5 翻 hour drive from her home in Southern Utah.
She underwent multiple biopsies, surgery to remove the inner linings of her nose and a portion of her septum, plus more than 30 radiation treatments. Driving over 10 hours roundtrip for every treatment wasnt feasible, so Claudia often stayed in temporary housing in Salt Lake City. For some appointments, she used Angel Flight, a service that connects patients with volunteer pilots. Other times, she made the long drive herself.
Finding a Purpose in Writing
The distanceon top of the grueling treatmentswas isolating and exhausting. But a service at Huntsman Cancer Institutes Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness and Integrative 泫圖弝け Center brought her comfort and connection: a writing workshop for patients experiencing similar struggles.
Led by Susan Sample, PhD, MFA, Huntsman Cancer Institute Writer-in-Residence, the writing workshops offer people affected by cancer a reflective space to reflect and process their experiences through creative writing.
When you become a patient, you often lose a sense of yourself and your voice, Susan says. Writing gives you a chance to reflect, imagine, and hopefully reclaim your voice. That can be incredibly healing.
The group workshops also foster what Susan calls a writing community, where participants share their experiences with each other through journal entries, stories, poems, or other creative forms.
Writing gives you a chance to reflect, imagine, and hopefully reclaim your voice. That can be incredibly healing.
Susan Sample, PhD, MFA
Claudia first attended in-person, but like her medical care, traveling to the workshops was challenging. She began attending virtually and found a strong sense of connection with other patients.
When you are being vulnerable with other people who are in the same boat, your capacity for compassion opens up even more, Claudia says.
The workshops also help Claudia feel more confident as a writer. She began writing personal essays on her experiences with cancer and sharing them with the group.
I always wanted to be a writer, but I never felt I was good enough. Being part of this stellar program gives me hope and joy, and I can now look in the mirror and say to myself, Youre a writer. That is a giftand that gift came from Susan, Claudia says.
Connecting from a Distance
Claudia is grateful she can still attend the writing workshops, even from hundreds of miles away. And shes not alone. Other participants join from across the Mountain Westfrom Southern Utah to Boise, Idaho, and beyond.
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Mountain West, Huntsman Cancer Institute aims to improve access to the benefits of comprehensive cancer care, especially for those who live far from a major medical center.
One way we're improving access is by building a new location in Vineyard, Utah, which is expected to save patients like Claudia more than two hours of travel time per visit.
But expanding access isnt just about physical buildings; its about meeting patients where they are. Programs like the virtual writing workshop reflect Huntsman Cancer Institutes commitment to increasing access to compassionate care, extending support and healing beyond hospital walls.
Building this community of writers who are able to find connection and healing together, no matter where they live, is so powerful to witness, Susan says. Where someone lives shouldnt affect whether or not they can be a part of this community.