Along Came Cancer author to carry on fundraising legacy posthumously
Northport resident and author of Along Came Cancer, Valerie Mortimer, with her husband Jim and their sons Ryan and Christopher, at a past “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event. Photo via Facebook.
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In 2010, just two months after her 50th birthday, Northport resident Valerie Mortimer was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. “The news didn’t shock me completely. I had already been a registered nurse for 28 years and was well aware of how prevalent cancer was. What surprised me, though, was how little I knew about cancer and how much it would impact my life,” Mortimer wrote on the website she launched in 2022, in conjunction with the publishing of her book, Along Came Cancer: Helpful Advice on Living Well in Spite of Cancer.
The book was a direct result of her cancer battle; in 2010, Mortimer underwent a series of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and a double mastectomy. She overcame her initial fight with cancer, but it returned in 2016, when she was diagnosed this time with metastatic breast cancer. The medications and treatments that became available due to research and fundraising efforts extended her life, and the quality with which she lived it, despite having incurable cancer.
In 2017, after 38 years as a registered nurse, Mortimer retired from the Northport VA Medical Center to focus on her health. She volunteered for organizations including Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, the American Cancer Society and AARP, and became a cancer educator and research advocate.
During her fight, Mortimer wrote Along Came Cancer, a useful guide for readers to navigate expectations, care and the many challenges presented by a cancer diagnosis. “I am not saying that having cancer in any way is easy, but I will say cancer really has taught me some meaningful things. First, it has enabled me to live each day with purpose. It has shown me how capable and truly loved I am. But, most importantly, I have learned to live mindfully instead of living with a full mind,” she wrote.
“The book answers so many questions and gives firsthand insight to be able to thrive while living with cancer,” said Jim, Mortimer’s husband of 36 years. The two met in 1983, while Valerie was a registered nurse caring for his mother at what is now Nassau University Medical Center. When Jim’s mom, Betty, passed away, Valerie mailed a condolence card to Betty’s husband. Jim responded with a “beautiful thank you card on behalf of his family,” Valerie recounted in a “Long Island Love Story” Newsday article. In the card, Jim included his phone number and wrote that he wanted to take Valerie out to dinner. They married three years later.
Valerie Mortimer passed away in March 2023.
To honor her memory, Mortimer’s family, friends and supporters, including readers of Along Came Cancer, will be walking again in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” event on Sunday, October 15 at Jones Beach. Even after her death, Mortimer’s spirit and legacy will contribute to the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Mortimer’s team, commonly referred to as Val’s Pals, has already raised $30,000 for the American Cancer Society. “Participating in this walk inspires hope to everyone and anyone who is fighting their cancer battle today,” said Christopher, Mortimer’s oldest son. In a Facebook post promoting the event, Christopher added: “The fundraising done by this organization added so much quality time onto my mom’s life and now it’s our turn to help other moms, wives and sons in their fights.”
Along Came Cancer is available for purchase on Amazon or the book’s dedicated site, www.alongcamecancer.org. Proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to Strength For Life, a cancer wellness nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping cancer survivors (and thrivers) moving forward with strength and confidence, free of charge.
Donate to the Val’s Pals team efforts to support the American Cancer Society here.
