My name is Beth Lambert and I am an English teacher here at Grafton High School. I also serve on the Board of Directors of a non-profit organization called No Stomach For Cancer; our focus is on raising awareness about stomach cancer.

As is the case for most people who get involved in a cause, I became involved when my family was significantly impacted by stomach cancer. My brother Steve passed away from stomach cancer on November 21, 2006. After that, we learned that it was caused by a rare genetic mutation that causes stomach, breast, and colon cancer. On November 21, 2010, my mom passed away from the colon cancer caused by the same genetic mutation.

In 2007, I learned that two of my siblings and I also carry this mutation that has an 83% risk of developing stomach cancer.  We did the recommended course of treatment—we had our entire stomach removed, which proved to be life-saving as there were precancerous cells growing in all of us.   

In 2010, working with the US Senate, No Stomach For Cancer established November as Stomach Cancer Awareness Month.  The students at Grafton High School were the first in the country to participate in Stomach Cancer Awareness Month activities. In fact, last year, the National Honor Society was recognized by Massachusetts General Hospital at “the one hundred,” which honors 100 individuals or group for their work in the fight against cancer.