At 43 years old, Lori Williams was living a busy, active life — balancing her work as an Early Head Start teacher, spending weekends camping and four-wheeling, and cherishing time with her husband, daughter, and extended family. But one day, what seemed like a simple backache changed everything.

“I thought my back went out. I could hardly walk. I called my chiropractor, since I had been going twice a week, and she sent me for an MRI. That’s when they found the mass.”

The Shock of a Lifetime

When Lori’s MRI results came back, her doctor immediately made a referral. Within a week, Lori and her husband Jeff were driving five hours south to the Mayo Clinic for a consultation.

“The doctor came in and said, ‘You have cancer and you need surgery.’ My husband and I were devastated. I asked, ‘Am I going to die?’ He said, ‘You have a very large mass that needs to come out. We can schedule surgery next week.’”

Just days later, Lori underwent a full nephrectomy to remove a 21.5 cm by 16.5 cm tumor — a massive growth that also involved a tumor thrombosis. The surgery was long and complex, but successful.

On May 21, 2015, Lori emerged cancer-free.

The Road to Recovery

Recovery wasn’t easy. The physical and emotional toll was heavy, and the fear of recurrence loomed large. Lori went through regular scans every four months and faced each one with anxiety and hope.

“It’s been a rough year, but so far I’m cancer free. I pray every day and am so thankful I am still here. I pray like everyone else for a cure.”

Her faith — and the unwavering support of her husband, daughter, parents, siblings, and friends — carried her through the hardest moments. Together, they learned to live life more fully and appreciate every day as a gift.

A New Chapter: Climbing for a Cure

This year, Lori is joining her first Climb 4 Kidney Cancer event in Minnesota — something she had hoped to do the year prior but couldn’t because of surgery. For her, this climb represents much more than a race; it’s a celebration of survival, a way to honor others fighting the same battle, and a statement of hope for the future.

“Stay strong, everyone. Someday a cure will happen. Until then, I pray we all stick together and fight.”

Words of Encouragement

Lori’s journey reminds us that even in the most frightening moments, courage and faith can light the way. Her story is one of quick action, powerful medical care, and deep gratitude.

Her message to others facing a kidney cancer diagnosis is simple but profound: don’t lose hope. Trust your medical team, lean on your loved ones, and believe that healing is possible.