Cory's Story
Cory Zera was only 47 years old when she lost her battle with ovarian cancer.
Her story began decades earlier. At just 12 years old, Cory started experiencing chronic abdominal and intestinal pain. That pain followed her into adulthood and masked a lurking threat. For years, doctors attributed her symptoms to existing stomach issues. The real cause, ovarian cancer, remained undetected. In August 2023, after a sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain, Cory was rushed to the hospital. That night, she finally received the diagnosis.
Despite it all, Cory didn’t give up.
The 18 months that followed were a testament to her resilience. Just months after her diagnosis, on December 11, 2023, she got engaged overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the way to Stanford Hospital for surgery.
When traditional platinum chemotherapy treatment failed, Cory enrolled in a clinical trial at MD Anderson in Houston. She turned treatment into an adventure, splitting time between Los Angeles and Houston, exploring the city and making a temporary home filled with hope.
The trial showed promise. Her CA-125 levels dropped. Cory remained optimistic, determined to beat the odds. But in December 2024, headaches and dizziness signaled a devastating turn. A brain scan revealed the cancer had spread to her spine and brain. Still, Cory celebrated Christmas in Los Angeles with her family, soaking in every moment of love and life.
In January 2025, Cory suffered a series of seizures and was hospitalized under an induced coma. For two precious days, she awoke, surrounded by the people who loved her. Cory passed away on February 19, 2025.
Cory was tough, loving, kind, and sweet. Cory was a fighter.
An intellectual, she loved music, books, and meaningful conversation. She sewed and enjoyed arts and crafts. She brought joy wherever she went and made people smile. She saw the best in others and met every challenge head-on with courage and her “fighting Irish” spirit. Cory’s battle may have ended, but the fight is far from over.
Her fiancé, Howard Grobstein, started Cory Fights Back in her honor to carry on her legacy. It’s a movement to confront ovarian cancer with the same spirit Cory carried into every room.
We refuse to accept a world where women, and those who stand with them, face this disease without hope.
