On Thursday, May 8th, at 11 AM, the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich will host the American Cancer Society’s annual Women Leading the Way to Wellness luncheon. Among this year’s honorees are Sue, Lauren, and Morgan Gulliver—three extraordinary women whose journeys with cancer have inspired many. Lauren and Morgan will be recognized for their individual battles against cancer, while Sue is being honored for her unwavering dedication to fundraising and cancer initiatives. Let’s meet these remarkable women.
SUE Gulliver
Meet Sue Gulliver, mother of Lauren and Morgan. Sue vividly recalls the moment she learned of her daughters' diagnoses. “My first reaction was shock. Each situation was different, but both were overwhelming, and I felt completely unprepared. Especially with Morgan—she was just 17. I had no idea what lay ahead. And, of course, there was fear—fear of how they would get through it. No parent ever wants to face that.”
The Gulliver family found strength in the unwavering support of relatives, friends, and an outstanding medical team. Sue emphasizes that supporting a loved one through illness requires presence and understanding. “No one can truly understand, and everyone seeks support in different ways. I appreciated friends and family who acknowledged the reality of our situation and met me where I was emotionally, in any given moment. Sometimes you need someone to sit with you in your fear and anxiety; other times, you need a distraction or encouragement. And sometimes, words aren’t necessary—just being there is enough.”
For those looking to support a loved one, Sue offers this advice: “Ask what they need in that moment and follow their lead. Try not to project your own fears onto them or rush to say, ‘It’ll all be okay.’ I understand the instinct, but nobody wants to hear that constantly. Just because someone is strong doesn’t mean it’s easy, and just because they appear okay doesn’t mean they truly are. The most important thing is to let them know you’re there, exactly where they are, every step of the way.”
MORGAN Gulliver
Morgan Gulliver was diagnosed at just 17. Through her darkest days, the love and support of her mother, family, and friends carried her forward. Her doctors worked tirelessly to put her in remission in time for two major milestones—prom and high school graduation.
“The day my mom dropped me off at college, she told me, ‘Nothing here is life-threatening, and you just made it through something that was.’ That advice stuck with me, and it helped me face the stress and challenges of college—and everything that came after.”
Morgan has since adopted a mindset of acceptance and resilience. “I’ve learned that life isn’t about perfect outcomes but about finding peace in uncertainty. That perspective has allowed me to focus on what brings me joy and trust that, no matter what happens, I’ll be okay.”
She also highlights the importance of continued support. “Often, once someone appears ‘better,’ the support fades. But that period can be incredibly isolating. Healing doesn’t have a timeline. Even over a decade later, I’m still processing what I went through and how it affects my life. It’s okay to still need support, and it’s okay to feel scared, angry, or like you’re just getting by. Being strong isn’t about ignoring those emotions—it’s about moving forward while allowing yourself to feel them.”
LAUREN Gulliver Travers
Meet Lauren Gulliver Travers. Lauren’s diagnosis came while she was pregnant, shifting her concerns immediately to her baby. “My first thought was, Is my baby going to be okay? I was willing to do whatever it took, as long as my baby and I would both be okay.”
Having witnessed her younger sister battle cancer, Lauren had a sense of what was ahead. “In a way, that was comforting. I wasn’t prepared, but I had a peripheral understanding of the road I was about to travel.”
She attributes much of her strength to the love surrounding her. “I am beyond lucky to have a huge support system. My mother is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people on the planet, and because of her, people were eager to help. The whole Gulliver family reaps the benefits of that generosity. I also have my Curtain Call Theatre community, which has been a part of my life since 1993. My closest friends—including my husband—came from that theatre. Through every moment of this fight, I was never alone.”
Lauren stresses that small gestures of support can be profoundly meaningful. “Everyone is different, but during treatment, the most helpful things for me were having my house cleaned and my kids taken out for fun activities—things I physically couldn’t do at the time. But even something as simple as a message saying, ‘I’m thinking of you,’ meant a lot. At first, everyone checks in, but as time passes, life gets busy. Continuing to reach out, even months later, makes a real difference.”
Her final thoughts: “Tomorrow is not promised. I’m going to show up for the people I care about and do the things that bring me joy—now.”
Join the Cause
The Women Leading the Way to Wellness luncheon is dedicated to the prevention and early detection of cancer. Since its inception, this event has raised over $1 million for the cause. Join us in celebrating the Gulliver women and supporting this critical mission.
For event tickets: https://e.givesmart.com/events/E8c/page/tickets-donations/
To make a donation if you cannot attend: https://e.givesmart.com/events/E8c/
Let’s stand together in the fight against cancer.
Sometimes you need someone to sit with you in your fear and anxiety; other times, you need a distraction or encouragement. And sometimes, words aren’t necessary—just being there is enough.