In April 2000, Joyce Harper and her husband, David, hiked
the trail from Yosemite Valley, California to Vernal Falls.
Although Joyce was an avid hiker, this moderate trail seemed
unusually difficult. Afterwards, she sought out medical
help. By the end of the month Joyce had undergone life-saving
surgery and was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer.
Over the next three years, Joyce courageously endured chemo
regimens and two more major surgeries. In August 2003, Joyce
underwent her third life-saving surgery, but her condition
worsened within months. Throughout her lengthy fight, Joyce
worked as much as possible, spent time with family and friends,
and served the Lord. Joyce’s faith in Christ sustained
her and gave her strength and courage to endure great hardships.
Joyce was a giver and always thought of others first. When
family and friends visited, she made sure everyone had something
to eat or drink even though Joyce herself was unable to
eat or drink by mouth for the last five months of her life.
With her husband, her children and stepchildren, Don Drorbaugh,
Debi Drorbaugh and Ben Harper, her family and friends at
her side, Joyce finally beat ovarian cancer by leaving it
behind. She passed away on August 23, 2004. To learn more
about Joyce’s courageous story, visit www.JoyceLHarper.us.
The Joyce Lee Harper Research Memorial Fund was established
to carry out what was near and dear to Joyce’s heart—giving—by
helping to fund early detection research for ovarian cancer
so that others might not have to endure this horrible disease.
Joyce’s fund supports trials of a proteomic pattern-based
study for the early detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer
at The Lynne Cohen Preventive Care Clinic for Women’s
Cancers at USC/Norris Cancer Center in Los Angeles.
