From Megan Deeter
April 27, 2026
For Donna Snider, what began as persistent fatigue and frequent trips to the bathroom quickly became something far more serious. In 2023, Donna noticed she was urinating as often as 20 times a day — a pattern that left her exhausted and concerned.
“I just knew something wasn’t right,” Donna recalls. “I finally went to my primary care doctor, and even though there was no infection, she didn’t like what she was hearing.”
That decision led to further testing and a referral to a urologist. Soon after, Donna received the news no one expects to hear: she had stage III bladder cancer. She was 75 years old.
“I don’t know if I was numb or just determined,” Donna says. “But I made up my mind that this wasn’t going to beat me. I still had too much living left to do.”
Expert Care, A Steady Path Forward
Donna’s treatment journey brought her to OHC, where she began working with medical oncologist and hematologist Evan Z. Lang, MD, MS, alongside her urology care team. The coordination between specialists became a cornerstone of her care.
“From the beginning, Donna’s care required close collaboration and careful monitoring,” says Dr. Lang. “But what stood out immediately was her mindset. She approached treatment with determination, trust, and an incredibly positive outlook — and that matters more than people often realize.”
Donna began immunotherapy with Keytruda, initially receiving weekly treatments before transitioning to an every‑three‑week schedule. While treatment can often be physically draining, Donna’s experience was remarkably steady.
“I never had a single day where I felt sick from treatment,” she shares. “I just kept going. I felt good — and I still do.”
Now, with ongoing monitoring and cystoscopies every six months, Donna feels reassured knowing her care team remains vigilant.
“I don’t mind the follow‑ups,” she says. “It means they’re watching out for me.”
A Team That Feels Like Family
Throughout her treatment, Donna found more than medical expertise at OHC — she found consistency, reassurance, and people who truly listened.
“They never rush me. They want to hear what I have to say,” Donna explains. “I couldn’t ask for better doctors or nurses.”
She frequently sees the same care team members, building relationships that have made treatment feel less overwhelming and more like a shared journey.
“The staff treats you like a person, not just a diagnosis,” adds Donna’s daughter, Megan. “You build this support system you didn’t even know you needed.”
Turning a Personal Journey into a Mission
As Donna focused on healing, Megan found herself channeling that experience into something bigger.
Bladder cancer, she discovered, isn’t talked about nearly enough.
“I want to spread awareness so that other people are aware of what this is and can then be saved earlier,” Megan says. “Because stage 3 is a late stage and there are greater risks involved with a later diagnosis.”
Searching for ways to get involved, Megan and Donna attended a Bladder Cancer Walk in Columbus just months after her mother’s diagnosis. They went again the following year. And then she noticed something missing.
“There wasn’t one in Cincinnati,” she says.
So Megan decided to change that.
What began as notes scribbled during a family road trip quickly evolved into months of planning, outreach, and determination. Megan worked with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), reached out to local businesses, coordinated volunteers, and promoted the event across the community — all while balancing work, raising three kids, and supporting her mom.
“Cancer brings people together,” Megan explains. “And awareness has to start somewhere. If we want better outcomes, we have to talk about it.”
Raising Awareness, One Step at a Time
This year marks the very first Bladder Cancer Walk in Cincinnati, an event designed to honor patients, support families, and raise critical awareness for a cancer that’s often diagnosed later than it should be. OHC is proud to be a sponsor of this inaugural walk.
“Bladder cancer is frequently under‑recognized,” says Dr. Lang. “Efforts like Megan’s raise awareness to symptoms, the importance of early diagnosis, and the progress we’ve made in treatment. Advocacy directly impacts lives.”
For Donna, watching her daughter lead this effort has been deeply meaningful.
“I admire her,” Donna says. “She never stops when she puts her mind to something. She’s always been there for me — every appointment, every step. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Megan, in turn, credits her mother as the inspiration behind it all.
“She’s the strongest person I know,” Megan says. “If sharing her story helps even one person catch something earlier, or feel less alone, it’s worth it.”
Walking Forward Together
As the Cincinnati community prepares to gather for the Bladder Cancer Walk on May 9th, Donna and Megan hope the event does more than raise funds — they hope it starts conversations.
“Bladder cancer can feel invisible,” Megan says. “This walk makes it visible.”
Donna agrees.
“If telling my story helps someone else hear their body and speak up,” she says, “then this journey means even more.”
Through expert care, unwavering family support, and a shared commitment to awareness, Donna and Megan Snider are transforming a cancer diagnosis into a movement — one step, one story, and one walk at a time.
OHC is a proud sponsor of the BCAN walk and is honored to be the care provider to Donna and her daughter. If you’d like to request an appointment at OHC, or a second opinion, visit ohcare.com.
