Remembering Erin Cummings, A Passionate Advocate for Survivors and Founder of Hodgkin’s International

We at Cancer Nation are heartbroken over the loss of Erin Cummings, founder of Hodgkin’s International. Erin was one of us. And she helped shape who we are.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 15, Erin lived more than 50 years with and beyond cancer. The treatments that saved her life as a teenager also shaped the rest of it — thyroid cancer, heart surgery, lung disease, infertility, and ultimately stomach cancer. She carried the long arc of survivorship in her own body.

Erin understood surviving cancer is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with our health, our uncertainty, and a health care system that too often isn’t built for the long haul. Instead of shrinking from that reality, Erin stepped into it.

Erin founded Hodgkin’s International so long-term survivors wouldn’t feel alone navigating late effects. When she joined the inaugural cohort of Cancer Nation Ambassadors, she joined because she believed survivors are stronger together. She often said Cancer Nation’s Elevate program helped her sharpen her voice and expand her reach, and she used that momentum to take Hodgkin’s International to the next level.

She brought survivors and clinicians into the same room. She showed up on Capitol Hill. She spoke with clarity and conviction about better coordination, survivorship planning, and real financial protections. She believed survivors deserve more than gratitude, that we deserve care that sees the whole person.

“Erin left an indelible footprint on the cancer advocacy community,” said Cancer Nation CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso. “With more than 50 years of survivorship, she was a passionate advocate for helping cancer survivors live well after their cancer diagnosis, and she helped and inspired so many people.”

“We as survivors strive to build a legacy and create meaning out of hardship,” said Veronika Panagiotou, Cancer Nation Director of Advocacy & Programs. “We hope that it will change the cancer community while we are here and it will allow us to be remembered when we are gone. Erin built a legacy through Hodgkin’s International that will continue to change the trajectory of cancer care for years to come. Her passion is alive in us and we will keep her memory alive by serving others in her honor.”

Erin ran marathons. She raised funds for pediatric cancer research. She poured her heart into motherhood. She walked by the ocean. She painted. She listened. She made people feel seen.

Even in the face of unimaginable health challenges, Erin chose connection. She chose advocacy.

Erin once said that advocacy gave her voice. The truth is she gave voice to countless others.

Cancer Nation is grieving with Erin’s family and with the global community she built. We grieve as friends. As partners. As fellow survivors.

Erin helped build this movement. We will carry it forward.

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A public memorial will be held to honor Erin’s life. Details will be announced at this link. Loved ones can also submit a remembrance of Erin here.

Read more about Erin’s life and work in our previously published Advocate Spotlight, “Erin Cummings’s Journey as a Long-Term Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor.”

The Vineyard Gazette published an obituary for Erin here.

Learn more about Hodgkin’s International at hodgkinsinternational.com.