Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Samolovitch
Hi Stephanie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA with my mother, father, brother (Jimmy- 3 years older), and sister (Jeanine- 6 years older). I loved spending time outdoors and engaging in different sports. Fortunately we were a healthy family. Graduating high school, I had no idea what I wanted to earn a degree in; I just knew I had to go to college because that was the expectation. While I had my core group of friends in high school, I always tried being friendly with everyone. I was on homecoming court and had played almost every sport except volleyball and soccer.
I spent my freshman and junior year at California University of PA (only 45 minutes away from home) and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh main campus because I decided to apply for pharmacy school. In 2005, just 2 weeks before my junior year began at Pitt, I had developed several symptoms including random bruising, rashes, bleeding, extreme fatigue, water weight gain, and ultimately a high fever. I was interning at a local pharmacy in a grocery store at the time, came home from a 10 hour shift on a Wednesday evening, and immediately fell down on my parents’ couch. I remember talking to a friend on the way home saying, “I’m so tired I feel like I’m going to die”. My parents called my PCP but since it was in the evening, the doctor on call answered and immediately suggested taking me to the hospital. So, we drove to a local hospital and I spent the night having blood drawn and different tests done.
The next day, my dad was in the room with me and a doctor came in, notifying us that he suspected I had Leukemia from the blood work results he reviewed. A bone marrow biopsy would confirm that. My immediate thought: what the heck is a bone marrow biopsy?! After he showed me where, on my body, it took place, the tears fell down my cheeks. I was terrified. The next day, I was transferred by ambulance to a different hospital that was reputable for treating oncology. I had the biopsy and spent a night in that hospital. The next day (now Saturday), I was alone waiting for my family to arrive when an oncologist walked in and told me that I had A.L.L. Leukemia. While known to have a good prognosis, he had no bedside manners and rattled off what this entailed, the side effects to expect (one of which was the risk of infertility), and said that chemo had to start on Monday (2 days from then!).
I didn’t know that leukemia was cancer. I thought it was a blood disorder. I didn’t know when I’d return to school, if I’d survive, or how chemo was even administered. We couldn’t wait though, as I asked later on what would’ve happened if I ignored my symptoms. The answer? I wouldn’t be here had I ignored them for 2 more weeks. I celebrated my 20th birthday 2 weeks after being diagnosed; single at the time. I never knew if I wanted kids so thankfully not knowing my future of being a mom or not didn’t affect me. Through intense chemotherapy, brain radiation, and spinal taps, I survived and returned to school the following year.
Chemo brain is REAL. I was failing classes, beyond tired, insecure, and just felt lost between my identity and future. I ended up changing my major to social work and engaging in any speaking opportunities that allowed me to speak about my cancer experience since it was hard finding other patients/survivors who were also young adults. Not kids or teens…young adults.
Three years later (2008), I tried transitioning back into my social life and dating. My friends, thankfully, were so supportive but the challenge was me feeling guilty if I needed to leave early or skip an event because I was too tired or not feeling up for it. Remember: Facebook was just being offered for college students (no Instagram, Twitter, TikTok). It was a lonely time trying to navigate this new life as a cancer survivor. Did I wear that hat, or the Social Worker hat, both?? That was such a hard year for me.
Fast forward to December 2010, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work degree and ended my first “real relationship” post-cancer. I was definitely not ready to date but how do you know unless you try? I began working at a local Pittsburgh cancer charity as the Director of Support Services and had an “aha!” moment in 2012 when I was excited to try and build a young adult cancer community. It started by facilitating in-person support groups in a private room at a cafe that was central in Pittsburgh. Suddenly, I’m speaking more, my confidence is much better, and I feel this new purpose shine a light on my future and tons of opportunities.
In 2012, I was living at my brothers and commuting almost an hour each way to and from work. To keep up with my workouts, I became a member at a gym that was on my way to work each morning. That’s when I met someone and soon after went on a 3-hour first date with him. The next day, I called my dad and said, “I’m marrying him”. He and I were on cloud 9, our energies matched, we loved living the healthy lifestyle and became world travelers; got married in 2016. Through those few years, I think we both learned a lot about ourselves and the future we envisioned, wanted, and needed. I ended up building the model of providing emotional, social, and financial support to young adult cancer patients/survivors in the community; only to realize there was more to be done and my resources were too limited in order to fulfill the additional gaps. By December 2019, I established Young Adult Survivors United and launched it on March 1, 2020.
The pandemic taught us all many lessons! It put a dent in my marriage and huge impact on this new nonprofit. I never imagined a virtual platform knowing the impact it made to laugh in person or hug someone who needed support in that moment. I was again in survival mode. Now I have this nonprofit and need it to survive the pandemic. If I could achieve that, the rest is history. In September 2021; I didn’t realize at the time but I knew I was not happily married and planted that seed with my (now) ex-husband. In June 2022, I received the divorce decree in the mail. Building YASU and filing for divorce was traumatic to say the least. However, with my blinders on and staying laser focused, I refused to fail. And by that, I mean with the organization.
Now living on my own with no husband, kids, or pets, I am navigating this new chapter by traveling alone at times, enjoying daily exercises, I’ve learned more in the 39 years of being alive than I ever thought would be imaginable. Life is FULL of transitions and grief, milestones and setbacks, surprises and disappointments. What’s important is that you believe in your heart that all you can do is your best and be reminded every day of how precious life is. Happiness must always take priority.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
They’re included in my last description but overall: it’s never a smooth ride. If it was smooth, everyone would do it. I’ve learned that the obstacles we face and challenges we overcome only teach us new lessons, provide new skills, and force us to pause sometimes and reflect versus always trying to keep up. Initiating a divorce while building a brand new nonprofit was one of the most challenges for me. Separating my personal from professional identity can be challenging at times from being a cancer survivor and leading a cancer charity. Most of the time it helps since I share my story with anyone interested in learning about it; but there are rare occasions when I wonder who I would be if cancer wasn’t in the story. Some things we’ll never know. Balancing life overall right now, at the age of 39, is challenging and sometimes reminds me that I’m “behind” compared to my peers. Imposter syndrome is also a real obstacle when being involved in this type of work. People don’t like to admit it but I will on behalf of those who can’t or don’t.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the founder and executive director of Young Adult Survivors United (YASU), a nonprofit that provides emotional, social, and financial programming to individuals diagnosed with cancer when aged 18-45 and support for their caregivers. I specialize in public speaking, nonprofit management, and advocacy. I oversee the organization including staff, budgeting, event planning, board governance, programming, marketing, and strategy. I am known for advocating on behalf of this cancer population since I’ve been doing so since my personal diagnosis in 2005 and professionally since 2012. I am most proud of building a new nonprofit during the height of a pandemic and also witnessing the impact this organization has on those we serve. After reading testimonials year after year, it keeps me humble and is also a reminder that it is a much needed resource. I think what sets me apart from others is seeing the beauty in life after experiencing so many setbacks. People often ask how I’m able to carry so much energy and be able to support so many patients/survivors knowing how many we’ve lost over the years. It’s from my experiences and knowing the impact being made.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Don’t let fear stop you from chasing your dream, whatever that is. If you aren’t happy, find the reason for why that is because our time is limited. Remove the stigma and shame of needing a therapist. They are there to help and have been the answer to my prayers many times. Remember that everyone has mental health just like physical health. They are equal priorities! Anytime you feel the sunshine down on you, it is a sign that you have a purpose, and I believe in you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yasurvivors.org
- Instagram: @yasurvivorsu
Image Credits
Dominique Murray Photography and LJ Reed Photography