Cancer Survivor Doctor Heads to Space on Blue Origin

After surviving breast cancer twice, Dr. Linda Edwards is about to achieve something she's dreamed about for decades: flying to space.

The retired obstetrician-gynecologist will launch aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket this Thursday at 7:30 a.m. from West Texas. She's one of six crew members heading beyond Earth's atmosphere on Mission NS-38.

Edwards joins a diverse crew of accomplished Americans on the flight. Tim Drexler, a former asphalt company CEO from Arizona, brings his experience as a helicopter and airplane pilot to the mission.

The other crew members include Alain Fernandez, an international real estate developer and lifelong athlete who sees spaceflight as his next challenge. Alberto Gutiérrez has spent years writing travel guides and leading tours around the world, but this journey takes exploration to a whole new level.

Jim Hendren, a retired Air Force colonel and former F-15 fighter pilot, brings combat experience and aerospace knowledge to the crew. Oklahoma native Andrew Yaffe, who has dedicated his career to the recycling industry, rounds out the team of six space travelers.

The launch will take place at Blue Origin's facility near Van Horn, a small Texas town that's become a gateway to commercial spaceflight. The New Shepard rocket has carried dozens of passengers to the edge of space since the program began.

Why This Inspires

Edwards' journey shows that life's biggest dreams don't come with expiration dates. Facing cancer twice could have dimmed her aspirations, but instead she kept her eyes on the stars.

Her story reminds us that setbacks don't have to define our futures. Whether it's a health challenge or any other obstacle, we can still reach for goals that once seemed impossible.

The mission also represents how space travel is opening up beyond career astronauts. Regular people with extraordinary determination are now getting their chance to see Earth from above.

This Thursday morning, when Edwards lifts off into the West Texas sky, she'll carry with her proof that resilience and hope can take you anywhere.