Surviving Cancer, Strengthening Faith, Inspiring Others

How would you react if an unexpected cancer diagnosis meant you only had six months to live? Dr. Will Smallwood, who is leading Cedarville University’s $175 million fundraising campaign as vice president for advancement, can answer that question through personal experience.  

Dr. Will Smallwood's Cancer Story (video) on the Cedarville Stories Podcast (Audio version). 

In November 2023, Smallwood was propelled into the world of hospitals and treatment centers as he grappled with his own mortality and faith. Yet through his journey, Smallwood has developed a deeper sense of gratitude for the mercy and sovereignty of God. 

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood, came with the threat of a ticking clock of only months to live. Now, a full year later, Smallwood’s cancer is in durable remission, and he is back to work making an impact at Cedarville with a heart filled with lasting empathy for those facing the battle with cancer and illness. 

“Nearly 40% of Americans will get diagnosed with cancer, and if 40% are diagnosed, that means the lives of nearly every American is affected by cancer in some way,” said Smallwood. “Whether I meet people who are battling their own diagnoses or I meet families who are going through the loss of a loved one with cancer, I can empathize with them and care for them much more deeply having walked that road myself.” 

Smallwood first encountered something amiss with his health during Cedarville University’s 2023 homecoming activities. With unexpected, excruciating back pain, overseeing homecoming activities was difficult for Smallwood. He pushed through the pain but soon thereafter sought medical care. An MRI revealed several lesions on his spine. 

As Christmas approached, a biopsy revealed that the lesions pushing against his vertebrae were caused by bone marrow being expelled from the spine due to rapidly evolving cancer within his bloodstream. 

With Smallwood’s kidneys already showing signs of failure, treatment began immediately. The severity of the cancer’s reach was revealed to be worse than expected, as over 70% of his cells were discovered to be cancerous. 

"My wife and I received the cancer diagnosis just before Christmas, and as we wrestled with the shock of the news, the truths of Scripture were a balm for our weary souls," said Smallwood. "In prayers without ceasing, we poured our hearts out to the Lord and asked Him difficult questions. He responded with His comforting presence and strength. 

There was no guarantee that any treatment would work. As Smallwood grappled with the unexpected news and the start of his chemotherapy treatment, a change occurred in how he viewed the meaning of his life. “When you’re told you only have six months to live, fear creeps in because you no longer know that tomorrow will come, but do we ever have that guarantee?” asked Smallwood. “I could have been hit by a car just as easily as I received this diagnosis. I realized that a long life had become an idol to me and that the Lord is in control of my life just as He was when my health seemed to be good.” 

While the battle ahead remained long and difficult, this renewed trust would shape how Smallwood viewed the battle itself; He chose to trust the God who would guide him through it, no matter how it ended. 

His faith was tested as he underwent a five-month chemotherapy plan with abdominal injections twice weekly at Soin Medical Center. Smallwood credits the medical expertise of Dr. Kathleen J. Oxner, oncologist/hematologist with Soin for putting him on the path to remission. During his treatments, Smallwood turned his health crisis into a ministry opportunity with other cancer patients and Soin's medical team. 

“I knew every time I walked into the treatment center, there were people walking through battles far worse than the one I faced,” said Smallwood. “I wanted to take every chance I could to smile genuinely and share the hope I had in Jesus that was carrying me through this affliction.” 

Smallwood continued to receive chemo treatments and serve as an encouragement to the patients and nurses he encountered until the chemo was finished. In late April, another biopsy revealed the volume of cancer cells had dropped from 70% to below 15%. His improvement qualified Smallwood for a STEM cell transplant, which was the only treatment avenue that could stave off the cancer and cause remission. 

With faith in God no matter what the procedure brought, Smallwood underwent the STEM cell transplant at The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dr. Abdullah M. Khan, hematologist with a specialty in multiple myeloma cancer, guided the process for Smallwood, communicating in a way that brought his recovery forward one day at a time.

After 12 uncertain days awaiting the results of the transplant, doctors told Smallwood that the STEM cells had successfully engrafted and a recovery period would be needed to determine the effectiveness of the bone marrow transplant. 

Smallwood’s cancer did not kill him. Instead, three months later, he was in remission. 

Although the war against cancer is not over, Smallwood’s triumph over this first battle has proven that he is preserved by a sovereign God. His prayer now is to continue trusting God with control over his life and to continue being a compassionate encourager and a hopeful light for others whose lives have been touched by cancer. 

“There is still no cure for multiple myeloma,” said Smallwood, “and though I pray a cure may be developed in the future, I can trust that my life is in the hands of a good and merciful God.”  

In the meantime, Smallwood continues his work of advancing the mission of Cedarville University through the 1000 Days Transformed Campaign and its final funding goals. His thankfulness to God for His goodness and mercy persists whether he finds himself at a hospital or at his desk. Smallwood knows he can use his story to make an impact for the Kingdom in either setting.