Abeer Srouji Allen Honors

Abeer Srouji Allen has a lot to be grateful for this holiday season. After finding a lump in her leg in early 2020, she was diagnosed with rare cancer called pleomorphic liposarcoma and sent to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Carlisle for radiation. “You’re entering a world that you know nothing about, and you’re scared,” Abeer says of her first radiation appointment when she was in so much pain she could barely sit down.

“I find myself to be a really positive person,” Abeer says, tearing up while she talks about her experience, “but a couple of weeks into this, I was really down. I have a son at home, and I wondered if I was going to be around to see him grow up. I came into UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and shared that with them, and they all just came in to hug me, like a big group hug. They said, ‘We’re here for you, and we’re going to support you, and you’re going to get through this.’ Just getting that type of encouragement … I’ve never left here without feeling good about myself, and it’s only because of them.”

Watch her full story here.

“You are entering a world you know nothing about, and you are scared, and then you meet your care team that is constantly showing support and encouragement. They don't know anything about me, but they take the time to get to know me.”

— Abeer Srouji Allen