When Ann was diagnosed with Stage IV uterine cancer, she responded not with despair, but with determination. An Irish singer grounded by her values of justice, integrity, and truth, Ann leaned into her instinct: gather information, ask the hard questions, and face her future, whatever it may hold, with clarity. 

Her first sign was abnormal vaginal bleeding, and like many, Ann didn’t immediately think it could be cancer. As symptoms persisted, though, she sought answers. Once diagnosed, she wanted two things from her medical team: a clear understanding of her prognosis and a roadmap for treatment. In her words, “There was fear of the unknown, so I gathered a lot of information.” 

She quickly learned that cancer’s toll isn’t just physical. For Ann, the emotional effects, especially loneliness and confusion, were the most difficult to bear. “Relationships with friends and family get more defined,” she says. “While a few are exceptionally helpful, most are not—and the latter surprised me.” But where others fell away, her support system shone. Ann credits her husband Tom, her sister June, her sister-in-law Clare, and her nephew James for showing up when it mattered most. 

Today, Ann is still living with cancer. She remains rooted in optimism and refuses to let illness consume the simple pleasures of her life. “I’m Stage IV with a positive outlook despite the stats,” she shares. 

Her biggest lesson? “Find your tribe. The best help will be from people going through the same experience.” That tribe, for Ann, includes not just family, but fellow survivors and the medical professionals she deeply respects. She’s grateful for the research that guides their decisions and keeps the door open to possibilities. 

In honor of Uterine Cancer Awareness Month, Ann recorded a spontaneous video message for others facing womb cancer, reminding them they’re not alone. Her voice, both literal and metaphorical, continues to be a source of strength and solidarity for others navigating the same storm.