RaeAnne Porte admittedly went from putting her 7-year-old son with Down Syndrome, Rockton, in a box to gleefully watching him shatter glass ceiling after glass ceiling. She's cherished every step of Rockton's growth and development.

Grand Rapids Family Watches 7-Year-Old Son with Down Syndrome ‘Flourish and Thrive’ After Unexpected Diagnosis at Birth

Nolan Crockett has demonstrated a brave attitude beyond his years in the face of a sudden Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis. He's ready to win his fight with the rare bone cancer and get back to normal.

Clarkston Teen Shows Courage in the Face of Rare Ewing Sarcoma Diagnosis 

The cancer journey has turned Brian Williams, an 18-year Blue Cross human resources employee, into an advocate for bone marrow donation. 

After Meeting the Stranger Who Saved His Life, Blue Cross Employee Advocates for Bone Marrow Donation

Corktown Health is Michigan’s first nonprofit LGBTQ-focused medical home, located in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood just west of downtown. Since its opening in 2017, it has helped more than 4,000 patients.


LGBTQ-Affirming Corktown Health Center Invites Patients to Be Themselves

Lightning unfortunately struck twice for Howard Brown, who has battled both Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and colorectal cancer. He conquered both fights and now spends much of his time advocating, mentoring and spreading hope.

Birmingham Man Spreads Men’s Health Month Message of Hope After Overcoming Two Bouts of Stage IV Cancer 30 Years Apart 

Beth Jones learned she had stage 2 colon cancer when she was just 38 years old. Awareness of her family history of cancer may have saved her from a more bleak diagnosis. 

Rochester Hills Cancer Survivor Discovers the Importance of Family Health History Knowledge

Garden City's Debbie Pickworth was given two years to live following her 2013 lung cancer diagnosis. Ten years later she's as happy as she's ever been, and she owes it to newfound perspective.

Michigan Woman Focusing on ‘Things That Matter’ While Continuing to Outlive Lung Cancer Prognosis 

In 2018, Blue Cross member Latasha Davidson gave birth to preemie twins;, but one of them lived only for one day. In honor of the daughter she lost, Davidson has started a foundation to help other families with preemie babies by donating baby supplies, grocery cards and gas cards to the hospital that cared for them during one of the hardest moments of her life. 

Prematurity Awareness Month: Michigan Mom of Twins Honors the Daughter She Lost

Auburn, Michigan's Jacen Scaggs likes to say that while he may have diabetes, diabetes doesn't have him. A near-death experience as a child led Scaggs on a path of diabetes advocacy in his formative years as a college student.

Life-Threatening Bout with Diabetes Guides Michigan Teen Towards Advocacy 

Athletes with diabetes, especially those in highly aerobic sports like distance running, have to carefully monitor and manage their blood sugar levels before, during and after exercising.

Jason Warzecha poses for a photo at the end of the Detroit Free Press Marathon

Distance Runners with Diabetes Share How They Stay Fueled

Sylvia Cox was devastated by her 2022 breast cancer diagnosis. When she began her fight, she summoned strength from her support system and one very special hobby. 

‘I’m Growing Back:’ Brownstown Breast Cancer Survivor’s Love of Gardening Helped Her Through Treatment 

This October, BCBSM member Katie Edick is marking her seventh year living with terminal breast cancer – and is using her time to bring hope and help to breast cancer patients undergoing journeys like hers.

Living with Terminal Breast Cancer, Portland, Mich. Woman Spreads Hope to Others

MacKenzie Badgerow was born with a rare form of cerebral palsy that causes "floppiness" of the muscles, and makes it hard for her to stand, walk and run. But the toddler won't let the condition stop her from hitting big milestones.

The Small Moments Mean More: Roseville Mom Recognizes the Beauty in Raising Child with Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy 

Blood cancers include lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma, and they can affect anyone, at any age, at any time. Yet they are often overlooked when people think of cancer. At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September is deeply personal for many employees.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month Has Personal Meaning for Blue Cross Employees

When 10-year-old Maddie Lockwood was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia, her family was blindsided. But they stuck together, made sacrifices and got to watch their daughter triumph over cancer.

‘We Don’t Take Anything For Granted:’ Middleville Child’s Triumph Over Cancer Strengthens Family's Bond

Why does walking seem to fix everything? From mental health to physical health, stepping outside your door to take a walk brings countless benefits.

When in Doubt, Go for a Walk: Why Steps are So Good for Your Whole Health

After battling alcohol use disorder for years, Alyssa Turcsak has been sober since January 2020. Now she helps those with similar pasts connect socially, away from peer support group settings. 

‘You Can Have Fun Without Alcohol:’ Lansing Woman in Recovery Helps Others Live a Sober Lifestyle

After a colonoscopy revealed stage III colon cancer, veteran Michigan journalist Julie Mack discovered a deep history of colon cancers in her family.

Saved by a Colonoscopy, Michigan Journalist Uncovers Family History of Cancer 

Kayla Campbell’s arduous bout with cancer – which has included 60 chemotherapy sessions – began in 2019. More than four years later, she's as upbeat and optimistic as ever. 

Union, Michigan Woman Details Her Stage IV Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis at Age 28

Physical activity was a huge part of Doug Wright's life before rheumatoid arthritis scarred his lungs. Since undergoing a double lung transplant, he's back to his active ways. 

Doug Wright participates in the Fight For Air Climb at Comerica Park.

Battle Creek Double Lung Transplant Recipient Credits Exercise for Return to Normalcy

“Fight against cancer” is a phrase that signifies strength and bravery. Rochester Hills’ Amanda Crowell Itliong – who was diagnosed with a terminal case of ovarian cancer in 2015 – likes to say that she doesn’t fight against cancer, she “lives with cancer,” as in coexists with it....

Amanda Crowell Itliong has lived with ovarian cancer for close to 14 years, but you wouldn't know it judging by her remarkable attitude.

‘I Feel So Lucky:’ Rochester Hills Woman With Terminal Ovarian Cancer Dedicates Life to Advocacy

When Southfield, Michigan resident Michael Love woke up from his first double lung transplant in 2015, the first thing he did was reach for his nasal cannula, a tube used to deliver supplemental oxygen. As Love slowly realized he was breathing on his own for the first time in a long time, he broke down in tears....

Michael Love is healthier than he's been in years after two double lung transplants. Now he educates others and spreads organ donation awareness.

“I Had Another Chance:” Michigan Transplant Recipient Spreads Minority Donor Awareness 

Blue Care Network member Willette Moore shares her story of overcoming her post-COVID PTSD to help break the cultural stigma in the Black community of seeking help for mental health.

Shot of a young woman suffering from a headache.

Healing from Post-COVID PTSD: ‘I Needed Someone to Talk To’

Terri Craft had severe anxiety over a medical problem her doctors couldn't explain. After seeking help for her mental health, she helps others be their own advocates.

A woman and a man pose for a picture in the desert

'A Strong Thing to Do': Asking for Help in a Crisis

After months of unknowingly tussling with celiac disease, Flint resident Margaret Clegg was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease in 2001. It was around that time that Clegg caught wind of the disease’s lengthy list of roughly 200 associated symptoms....

Years of learning, adjusting, and coping with celiac disease – as well as witnessing it hit home, firsthand with her father – guided Margaret Clegg toward a daily mission of helping others with the relatively unknown but debilitating disease.  

Michigan Woman with Celiac Disease Helps Others Adjust with Dietary Tips and Advice 

Up-and-coming Detroit rhythm and blues artist Danielle Davis felt like she was on top of the world last summer before a sudden medical diagnosis derailed her momentum and changed her life....

Speech and concentration issues crept up on Danielle Davis out of nowhere in 2021. But the Detroit singer won't let MS keep her down.

Detroit R&B Artist Shines Despite Rare Case of Multiple Sclerosis  

Cardiovascular conditions are the leading cause of death for women during and shortly after pregnancy, according to the American Heart Association.

Routine Pregnancy Checkup Saves Mom and Baby 

At the age of 26, Georgia Leventis-Molina could not believe she had a stroke and would need open heart surgery. Now, she's an advocate for heart health.

Woman sits for a TV interview about the importance of heart health at every age after surviving a stroke at age 26

After Surviving a Stroke at Age 26, Woman Emphasizes Heart Health at Every Age 

Member Stories

Blues Perspectives

MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association