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Tracy Bender lives in the North Mississippi area near Memphis, TN. After several years of being misdiagnosed she finally received a Neuroendocrine Tumor diagnosis in 2020. In order to be well informed about her condition she went on mission to find out all she could about Net cancer and eventually landed on the NCAN website. Since having two major back to back surgeries, first to remove the primary tumor and just 8 weeks later a liver debulking, she was struggling with recovery and the fact that the Gastro issues and fatigue might be her new normal. Thankfully through NCAN she received the help she needed with the TN support group. Due to the pandemic they were hosting Zoom meetings which afforded her the ability to join in and receive relevant information about her new diagnosis and tips on how to maneuver her new normal. Once the in-person meetings returned she was no longer able to join in because of distance. She has attended NCAN conferences to grow her knowledge and understanding of this disease. However, she longed for the support and sense of community she had received from the TN support group and was delighted to partner with Emily Ballard to start a North Mississippi/West Tennessee group. Her hearts desire is to help others with NET cancer navigate their diagnosis with knowledge and information and a listening, sympathetic ear.

When her husband was diagnosed with PNET in January 2024 Emily and her family were shocked beyond belief with the diagnosis. The whirlwind of tests, doctor’s visits, and second opinions quickly overtook their calendars, waking thoughts, and their emotions as they tried to comprehend this unknown, to them, disease.

During this time Emily’s family and friends were wonderful support, but she wished she could connect with others who were on the same walk as them. People who truly understood, had first-hand experience, and could completely relate to life with neuroendocrine cancer.  So, Emily quickly turned to the internet to find the local help and support both she and her husband needed, but living in the North Mississippi/Memphis, Tennessee area she found there was nothing specific to neuroendocrine cancer available.  Upon a broader search she came across NCAN and Anne Dabbs, the group leader of the TN NCAN group. Anne and the TN NCAN group were both a blessing to Emily and her family and eventually lead to connecting Emily with Tracy and Maryann and the start of this group you are on today!

Emily hopes this new chapter of the MS NCAN will be a place to provide the North Mississippi/West Tennessee NET individuals and their caregivers the support they need through their journey with living life with neuroendocrine cancer.  A place to connect both virtually and in person so that no one has to feel lost or alone as a NET individual or NET caregiver.