'Every week is a gift:' Why Saratoga cancer survivor holds hope
World Cancer Day recognizes the millions of people affected by cancer each and every day. One cancer survivor in Saratoga Springs shared how she stays positive even during the difficult times.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- World Cancer Day recognizes the millions of people affected by cancer each and every day. One cancer survivor in Saratoga Springs shared how she stays positive even during the difficult times.
Sherry Knotek spends each morning preparing unique science experiments for her class at Saint Clements Regional Catholic School in Saratoga Springs.
“Every day I wake up it’s a gift, every week’s a gift, being in this classroom to teach is a gift," said Knotek, who teaches STEM and Technology to elementary school students.
Knotek called the classroom her happy place. She said her passion for teaching has always managed to light her up, even during the most difficult times of her life.
“In September of 2021, I was diagnosed," said Knotek. "They told me I had a tumor in my pancreas and it was an immediate you know, this is it, this is over type thing. God, my husband and I just cried in each others arms."
However, four years later, it is not over for Knotek. She was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, which she said is a rare type of pancreatic cancer. Knotek said the first surgeon she saw, told her the tumor was inoperable. Since then, Knotek has been battling this disease; including going through a year and a half of chemotherapy.
“Cancer was, to me, that's it, I just didn't think I could go on," said Knotek. "Until I realized just how many treatments there are for this and I still go out every 28 days for an injection."
According to data released in January by the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. The American Cancer Society's annual report states that the five-year survival rate is only 8% for most (90% of) people diagnosed with pancreatic exocrine tumors. However, Michael Davoli, senior government relations director, with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASCCAN) said cancer treatments have evolved enormously.
“Part of that has to do with increases in early detection, part of that has to do with reductions in smoking, and part of that has to do with advances in how we actually treat cancer," said Davoli.
From 1991 to 2022, the cancer mortality rate has declined by 34% in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society's annual report. Researchers estimate that with this data, about 4.5 million lives were saved from cancer deaths in that time period in the U.S.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025 there will be an estimated 2,041,910 new cancer diagnoses in the U.S., about 5,600 each day. But Davoli said the research is also developing each day.
“What scientists have developed in the past several decades is this notion of personalized medicine really figuring out what makes your cancer unique to yourself and things like biomarker testing, which is allowing doctors to figure out what is the make-up of your specific cancer and coming up with a plan," said Davoli.
“I want people to be reminded of how fast the research happens at this point too," said Knotek. "And know that there’s hope. Not not only is there hope but beyond that, I just think you have to live your life. I am not dying of cancer I'm living with cancer."
Between Knotek's classroom and her family, she wants others to know there is always a reason to fight. For more information on cancer statistics and information, visit the American Cancer Society's website.
What's Your Reaction?






