Why We Advocate For Our Cancer Patients

The Hammeras Group logo features a snowflake to represent the uniqueness of each patient. Care is not “one size fits all,” and we keep this at the forefront of our hands-on, tailored approach to patients with cancer. The snowflake in our logo is colored with the birthstones of three extraordinary women who changed founder Candy Hammeras’s life. Candy’s words are below:

Over the past two years, I have lost three incredible young ladies to cancer. I have lost many to cancer in my healthcare career, but there were three that touched me in a profound and personal way. Three that I personally grieved. Three that guides my every step. Three that keep me energized to help others.  I always wondered, "why these three?”  Recently it occurred to me that they were very similar personalities and all artists. Young, gifted, engaging, smart, successful, loving, and generous.

Meet the three ladies who continue to inspire me daily and who will walk beside me in this next journey in my healthcare career. 

julietta “Jules” Laurita-Smith

My national teen spokesperson, and she always will be; she cannot be replaced. Jules was a stunning, smart, engaging 17-year-old when she was suddenly diagnosed with Glioblastoma. We met for the first time in Los Angeles as they flew in from Colorado for a second opinion. During the very first meeting at the hotel, I fell in love with Jules and her family. I had learned that Jules was a musician and could sing. My good friend, Mike Garson, was on a short break from his international David Bowie tour, and he invited the family to his house, where they spent a wonderful time performing together. I will never forget how engaged Mike was when Jules sang her song for him while he accompanied her on piano. He was seriously impressed by her talent and her sweetness. We all felt this way around Jules; she drew you in instantly. Jules was 19 when she passed away, and I miss her daily. She was my buddy. She still is. 

Kelly Duncan-Joiner

Kelly had breast cancer that was misdiagnosed. I met her when things were not good, and I was able to get her an immediate second opinion. I can hardly type this when I think about Kelly. There was something about her, and I loved her immediately. She was in her mid 40's and she was one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, and most courageous people I have ever met in my entire life. Kelly had a successful career in entertainment and a husband she adored. She also had a young son who was in Canada filming a Steven Spielberg movie and whose existence kept her in the cancer fight. Her new oncologist was able to get her to a healthy enough place so she could travel to be with them for filming. We stayed in touch daily and she did reach a point where she had to fly home as the pain became unbearable. During our short nine months together, we shared a lot. We shared that we loved each other, and I still cannot think of her without tears in my heart. Kelly mattered greatly to me in my life, and I dreaded the day she passed away. She wanted to get well so she could be part of my cancer organization. Now she can. Now she is. 

Kate Johnson

I met Kate through a referral from her PCP. She had non-smoking lung cancer. I was able to get her an appointment with a renowned oncologist in Los Angeles within three days. By day 2, she required the ER with an urgent admission to the hospital. I walked into her hospital room for the first time to meet Kate, and I was taken aback by a regal young beautiful lady with long red hair. She was captivating, and she was scared. We sat for a long time with her boyfriend, and I promised I would do everything I could for her. The humble tears in her eyes were full of gratefulness. I later learned Kate was a successful artist, an educator, and an Emmy-winning producer. We became close friends over the following two years. Kate would produce the finale at my cancer concert, she would write a documentary for me. She would speak with me at hospital meetings. Through Kate's radiation and chemotherapy, she never stopped her work. She was passionate about her career. I would watch Kate as she created her work, and it was fascinating to me. In the end, what I admired most about Kate was her quiet and thoughtful manner. She spoke with such quiet intelligence that you had to lean in to hear every word. And every word was worth hearing! Kate was a true partner to the Hammeras Group. She will be forever. I am at this point in my career because of Kate Johnson. 

Hammeras Group is now dedicated to you, three young ladies whom I loved. I wanted you to live! You will live on in my work every day, and we will help others in their cancer journey.