‘You can’t give up’: South Florida teacher shares cancer survival story ahead of Survivors Day

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — There are more than 18 million cancer survivors living in the United States, a number that continues to grow thanks to earlier diagnosis and an expanding range of treatments.

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This Sunday is Cancer Survivors Day, and a South Florida educator is sharing her story of survival, resilience and hope — one she says shows how attitude can be just as important as medicine.

Mary Suppe has spent more than two decades educating children in South Florida classrooms.

The 58-year-old says she loves teaching her second graders, but now she is offering a different kind of lesson.

“You cannot go cry in the corner,” she said. “You may want to do that, but you can’t give up and you can’t go cry in the corner.”

Suppe was first diagnosed with melanoma and later learned the cancer had spread to her brain.

“It wasn’t until five years later that I woke up with a headache and my vision was not right,” she said.

Suppe calls herself a survivor and says her outlook played a major role alongside cutting-edge treatment in her recovery.

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“You have to believe that you’re going to get better,” she said. “You can do this!”

Dr. Atif Hussein of the Memorial Cancer Institute said science is only one part of the treatment process.

“It’s a long journey. There are ups and downs. Positive attitude matters a lot,” Hussein said.

Suppe also credits her family, faith and community support during her treatment.

“I have a strong faith background,” she said. “All the prayers, I know, made a difference. I had everyone in the community praying for me.”

Hussein said he often sees differences in outcomes tied to mindset and support systems.

“I can see two patients — the same stage, the same cancer in two rooms and I leave one room saying ‘my God, this person isn’t going to do great,’” he said. “And then I go to the other room and say, ‘oh my God, this person is going to do great!’ Positive attitude, support system, having someone with them, faith helps, praying helps.”

Today, Suppe is a grandmother enjoying time with four generations of her family.

“I am very, very, very blessed,” she said.

Suppe was diagnosed with brain cancer 20 years ago.

She participated in one of the early clinical trials for immunotherapy, in which medications are used to supercharge the immune system to attack cancer cells.

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Today, she shows no signs of cancer.