Finding Hope in Adversity: Alyssa Fischer-Reeder’s Path to Survivorship

In 2003, Alyssa Fischer-Reeder graduated from American University in Washington, DC, with a BA in Education and Communication and decided to enroll in a Master’s program before becoming ill. At first, she noticed that the back of her tongue was a bit sore but soon realized that she could feel a very large hard mass that encompassed more than half of her tongue. The large mass was very painful, and Alyssa struggled to speak, eat, and swallow.  

She first went to a dentist where she was told to take an antibiotic and follow up with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist. Between the appointments, Alyssa started researching her symptoms online. When the search results showed “Head and Neck Cancer (HNC)” with an accompanying image that closely resembled what she had on her tongue, she was shocked. “Despite not having any of the risk factors associated with HNC, I was experiencing nearly every symptom associated with the disease” she said. Alyssa’s ENT biopsied her tongue, which revealed the shocking news; Alyssa had an aggressive and advanced, stage IV cancer.

A month later, surrounded by the unconditional love and support of her family and close friends, Alyssa underwent a 14 ½ hour life-altering surgery that involved splitting her jawbone to retrieve the cancerous tumor and affected lymph nodes, followed by a free-tissue transfer to reconstruct her tongue and upper palate and microsurgery on her tongue to ensure proper healing. Alyssa spent two and a half weeks in the hospital recovering, and then embarked on concurrent radiation and chemotherapy treatments. “It was an absolutely grueling course of therapy,” she recalls. “What should have been seven intense weeks of treatments turned into six tumultuous months. I suffered countless complications and numerous setbacks. I was rushed to the ER and hospitalized a multitude of times. Then I had another surgery to insert a stomach tube to ensure proper hydration and nutrition.”

For Alyssa, the power of hope kept her going. She remembers, “My team of world-renowned doctors and my family and friends helped me survive and thrive. I taught myself how to swallow, eat, talk, and laugh again. However, without hope I’m not sure what I would have done.”

In fact, hope also led Alyssa to her advocacy work. She completed her Master’s in Communications, writing her thesis on “The Power of Hope,” and chose jobs with health-related nonprofits. In 2013, Alyssa joined her surgeon, Dr Jatin Shah and actor Michael Douglas on a radio tour to increase awareness about Oral Head and Neck Cancers which was nominated for a SABER award.

Over the years, she had the opportunity to connect with fellow HNC patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the world while waiting in the hospital for personal medical appointments. “They would ask to keep in touch for additional advice and support,” she recalls. “Doctors began telling their HNC patients who were feeling depressed and hopeless to contact me. I quickly became aware of one consistent commonality between the patient, caregiver, and survivor. Each person was in dire need to regain hope; hope for making it through treatment, hope to make it through the day or hope to have a healthier future. It always came back to hope.”

After 15 years of survivorship, Alyssa shared with her husband that she wanted to do more to support the HNC community. He suggested she start a nonprofit and Alyssa knew that was what she needed to do. Alyssa founded the Head Neck Cancer Fund (HNC Fund) to support HNC patients and survivors and HNC-specific research.

In 2020, Alyssa won The American Society of Plastic Surgeons “Patient of Courage” award. Later that year, she faced another 12 ½ hour surgery, a Mandibulectomy Fibula Free Flap Jawbone Replacement to reconstruct her jawbone. Once again, Alyssa had to re-learn how to walk, eat, and speak again, this time, while caring for her two children.

In 2022, Alyssa was selected to join the NCCS Elevating Survivorship program. Through the program, she found support and training which allowed her to develop and execute a plan to improve survivorship care in her local community. Her plan turned into action when she began facilitating a free, monthly, online support group for HNC patients and survivors throughout the country. “Collaborating with the remarkable NCCS team and fellow Elevate Ambassadors was a joyful and insightful experience,” she says. “Being involved with such an energetic, compassionate, and dedicated group of people supporting cancer survivors through advocacy and policy work was inspiring.”

Since completing the Elevating Survivorship program, Alyssa has actively expanded her outreach and support for HNC patients. In addition to facilitating the HNC support group, Alyssa writes the Hopeful Blog series, providing tips for patients and survivors navigating the unique facets of HNC. She also presents to local youth groups, raising awareness about HNC and the importance of early detection. In April 2024, Alyssa launched the HNC Fund’s first annual Free HNC Screenings and “Heads Up,” a short film and fundraiser for the organization.

Throughout her cancer experience, Alyssa has leaned on hope and perseverance to navigate the challenges of HNC. Her message to those facing a difficult time resonates with what motivated her: “Never give up. You are not alone and most importantly don’t lose hope.”

Learn more about NCCS’s Elevating Survivorship (“Elevate”) initiative, a training and mentorship program for patient advocates interested in improving survivorship care in their community. Learn more about Elevate »