Frances Hornback rushed her husband to the emergency room in June after he began coughing up blood. It was only then, 18 months after her husband first began having respiratory problems, that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.

When Tom Reek was diagnosed with a rare leukemia at age 65, doctors said he might live only another three years. Today, Reek is thriving at age 72, thanks to a drug called Gleevec.

"I used to kid around and say that I feel like Clark Kent," says Reek, who lives on Long Island, N.Y., and volunteers as a peer counselor with other patients, including youngsters. "It's like a gift from God to be able to work with these children."

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.

About a week later, the couple was back in the ER. But this time, it was Frances who was ill.