About Us

What is Stepping Stones?

We like to call it, “your path from cancer’s hell to being well.” Consider us your introduction to cancer. Not a medical introduction, as there are a lot of sites out there that cover that aspect. Think of us as your practical introduction. We have no medical training, just valuable in-the-trenches experience, from a variety of perspectives.

We made our way through cancer’s terrifying maze and are now sharing what we’ve learned (most we did, the rest we should have done). Hopefully we’ll save you the frustration of reinventing the wheel and help make your road a little less rocky.

In addition, our store is filled with practical goodies with sass, items to inspire, sparkly stuff and other things you just can’t live without! Each and every item in our store has been chosen and used by us. (We add new items and categories on a regular basis.)

Over the years we've acquired a wealth of knowledge covering many aspects of cancer, from a variety of perspectives. We feel it would be a waste to let this hard-earned knowledge go to waste.

Ronni Shehorn-Maestas

Battling cancer is something Ronni knows a little bit about – since 1994 she’s had her own battle with lymphoma. Her fight with Hodgkin’s Disease has included a dozen surgeries, radiation, chemo, different chemo, bone marrow transplant, clinical trial, more chemo and finally a clinical trial bone marrow transplant in 2005. And she’s been cancer-free since then (knock wood).

Ronni has been treated in a local clinic, major university, cancer research center, and a comprehensive cancer treatment facility. In fact, she knows the back halls of some hospitals better than its staff. (Not necessarily something to put on a resume.)

One of the things Ronni strongly believes in is the importance of becoming your own advocate. It was primarily through her own research that she found two different clinical trials, and was knowledgeable enough to go against the recommendation of a highly respected specialist. And by understanding her disease, treatments and own body, she was able to identify and proactively battle potentially life-threatening conditions on more than one occasion.

Cancer impacts more than just your physical-self. The mental struggle can be just as debilitating. That’s why Ronni believes attitude is everything. She learned early in her fight that the only thing you can truly control is your attitude. And humor can make even the most horrendous situations bearable.

So, after spending more than a decade battling cancer, why would she want to launch Stepping Stones and introtocancer.com? She believes cancer is the most hideous wonderful thing that’s ever happened to her and wants to share her hard-earned knowledge with those facing the same challenge. She hopes to calm the chaos and help others take back control. And in doing that, hopefully leave this place just a little bit better than when she got here.

Vicki Shehorn

For most of Ronni’s battles with cancer and related issues, Vicki has been Ronni’s primary caregiver, putting many parts of her life on hold to care for her. Additionally, in 2003 and then again in 2005, Vicki moved out-of-state with Ronni while she underwent bone marrow transplants, each stay six months in duration. That time spent away from home, family, friends, and all that she had known as her security blanket was gone – and it was the most grueling and liberating experience she’s ever had. Vicki grew so much out of the time away that she wouldn’t want to go back to how she was before then. She not only had the opportunity to help someone who was in need, but also had the privilege of being Ronni’s bone marrow donor, an experience she wouldn’t trade for anything, and something she would do a hundred more times if needed – for Ronni or anyone else!

Being a caregiver is the toughest job she’s ever endured. Some of these tips she was able to do, others are things she learned along the way, and some are things she wishes she had done.

As a sister, and not a parent or spouse, Vicki felt she really didn’t fit into any particular caregiver “group.” One of her goals is to make sure that whoever the primary caregiver is, be it family or friend, everyone feels connected and supported and that they don’t lose sight of their own needs, despite the challenges of caregiving.

Through this medical journey, she has learned who her true friends are; who she can and can’t depend upon; and that chocolate, Dr. Pepper and a good chardonnay are wonderful creations. She feels strongly about family; saying “I love you” to those you truly do; the power of the color pink; taking care of yourself through diet and exercise; getting routine medical checkups and screenings; the importance of donating blood routinely; taking the step to join the National Marrow Donor Program; living your life with no regrets; and most importantly never taking a person or a single day for granted.

Her hope is that some part of her experience resonates and hits home with people, and for folks to not feel so alone in care giving. Then she will know that Stepping Stones has helped and had an impact on others who are facing an unknown path.

Charities We Support

Ronni and Vicki (and Stepping Stones) participate in the following events (or have in the past) and support these organizations financially:

Stand Up To Cancer

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Fight2Win.org

In 2004, Ronni was in need of a bone marrow donor, so she and Vicki hosted a bone marrow drive. While they were unable to find a donor for Ronni, they were able to place more than 200 people in the national registry. One of whom has already donated to someone anonymously, and at least four others have been contacted as potential donors.

In addition, Ronni has chaired her local Relay for Life and served on several other fundraising committees. Vicki has completed two marathons through Team in Training (serving as a mentor one year) and has served on several fundraising committees.