Encompassing Cancer

For our 2nd encore episode in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're re-airing an episode that was released early 2023. Lauren shared an inspiring conversation with Lisa Thompson, who is a Seattle-based mountaineer, author, and breast cancer survivor. In this episode, she talks about what first inspired her to get into mountaineering, how climbing gave her the motivation she needed to get through her breast cancer diagnosis, how the mountains have shaped her as a woman, overcoming the limiting beliefs we put on ourselves, women in the wilderness and so much more!

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about Lisa Thompson
• Cancer Pathways Support Groups
• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• Breastcancer.org
• Team Survivor Northwest

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - making this conversation especially timely! Terri had the opportunity to chat with Leslie Woodfill (Executive Director) and Denise Moss (Patient Services Manager) about the impactful work they do at the Childhood Cancer Coalition. Based in Spokane, the Coalition provides holistic community support, including financial assistance, support groups, grief support, and resources to help navigate a cancer diagnosis.

Learn more about the Childhood Cancer Coalition.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! Lauren is joined by Ted Healy, who is a stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer survivor. They talk about his diagnosis, screening and treatment options, signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, the genetic component to the disease, Ted's advocacy work in the space, and the benefits to joining a support group.

Additional Resources:

• Cancer Pathways Support Groups
• Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer
  • Financial Resources
• Understanding Your Prostate Pathology Report (American Cancer Society)
• Gleason Score and Grade Grouping (Prostate Cancer Foundation)

In this episode, Lauren is joined by Brianna Mercker and Natalie Phelps to talk all about their upcoming Seattle Walk to End Colon Cancer. They each share their personal experiences being diagnosed with young-onset colorectal cancer, initial signs and symptoms to look out for, why raising awareness is so critical, the importance of colorectal cancer screening, and how the community can participate in the upcoming walk. With what they have planned, it's clear they've set out to make this Walk an empowering, accessible, meaningful, and fun experience for the entire community!

Additional Resources:

• Colorectal Cancer Alliance
  • Seattle Walk to End Colon Cancer
  • Mariners Event: Strike Out Colorectal Cancer Day
• Related Encompassing Cancer podcast episodes:
  • Raising awareness about early-onset colorectal cancer and screening with Anita Mitchell Isler (3/4/24)
  • Parenting and communicating with children through a colorectal cancer diagnosis with Esther Hyun (3/11/24)
  • Tips for preparing for a colonoscopy with Michael Schofield (3/18/24)
  • Colorectal cancer screening (FIT Kits, colonoscopy, Cologuard) and reducing health disparities with Dr. Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS (3/25/24)

It's our first encore episode! For back-to-school season, we're re-airing an episode from last year where Jana Mastrogiovanni (Student Education program manager) joins the podcast to share more about our online educational platform. This platform is full of resources, lesson plans, and eLearning modules for teachers, students, and the general community. Lauren also talks with Hanna Safley, who shares her perspective on how teachers, schools, and other students can best support a student who is diagnosed with cancer. Hanna also talks about why it's important for all teens to learn about cancer and the benefits of having a counselor or social worker as part of your support team.

Additional Resources:

• Online Platform
• Student Education (Cancer Happens® curriculum)

Are you ready for a sweet, heartwarming episode? Lauren takes you along to get a glimpse into what a week at our summer day-camp is like. Campers and counselors share how Camp Sparkle has been helpful for them, what their favorite activities are, and what we did throughout the week. Don't miss one camper's very important polling question for the group, too!

Additional Resources:

• Related Encompassing Cancer episodes:
• • Hear about the magic of Camp Sparkle (5/23/22)
  • Tips for talking to children about cancer with Michelle Massey, LICSW (5/15/23)
  • Campers share their shine at Seattle Camp Sparkle this summer (8/21/23)

Have you heard of cord blood before? In this episode, Emily Pajcic and Chelsea Price join Lauren to share more about the Cord Blood Donation Program at Bloodworks NW. They talk about how cord blood donation works, what to know prior to donating, how expectant mothers can prepare to donate, the many diseases and conditions that cord blood can help treat, common misconceptions people have about the process, and powerful anecdotes from the community.

Additional Resources:

• Bloodworks NW Cord Blood Program
• Related Encompassing Cancer podcast episodes:
  • Save a life by swabbing your cheek (6/3/24)
  • Giving blood is giving life: Become a blood donor and learn how you're helping cancer patients (1/23/23)

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month! In this episode, Lauren walks listeners through what sarcoma is and the different types, symptoms, risk factors, and resources for how you can get more involved. We encourage you to check out our upcoming golf tournament and sign-up to get a free swab kit from NMDP to enter into the bone marrow registry.

Additional Resources:

• Cancer Pathways 17th Annual Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament
• Northwest Sarcoma Foundation
• Sarcoma Alliance
• Join the NMDP.org registry
  • Get a test kit through the Cancer Pathways campaign! Visit my.bethematch.org or text CancerPathways (all one word, capital 'C' and capital 'P') to 61474.

For National Cancer Survivors Month, we're spotlighting another amazing survivorship program - the LIVESTRONG® program at the YMCA. Mary Jo Kester, with the YMCA of the Inland Northwest, shares what inspired her to first get involved with the program, how groups at the Y gave her strength to get through her own breast cancer diagnosis, how to join, the power of community in healing, and stories of individuals who have gone through the program. If you don't live in the Inland Northwest/Spokane, check out your local YMCA to see if they offer the LIVESTRONG® program!

Additional Resources:

• Cancer Pathways 17th Annual Bryce Fisher Golf Tournament
• YMCA of the Inland Northwest - LIVESTRONG® program
• Join the NMDP.org registry
  • Get a test kit through the Cancer Pathways campaign! Visit my.bethematch.org or text CancerPathways (all one word, capital 'C' and capital 'P') to 61474.

We're kicking off National Cancer Survivors Month with an impactful episode and a great way for YOU to get involved! Lauren is joined by Tami Nesting who is an acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor, and Sara Rose Hansen who is the NMDP (formerly Be the Match) member recruitment coordinator for the northwest U.S. Tami shares what her experience was like getting a bone marrow transplant and how truly life-saving these donations are. Sara Rose shares more about NMDP, what the donation process is like, how to submit a sample, and what to expect if you receive that life-changing call that you're a match! She also dispels some common myths about the process.

Interested in getting involved? Sign-up to join the registry and receive your free swab kit by texting CancerPathways to 61474.

Additional Resources:

• Learn more at NMDP.org
  • Get a test kit through the Cancer Pathways campaign! Visit my.bethematch.org or text CancerPathways (all one word, capital 'C' and capital 'P') to 61474.
• Learn more about Tami Nesting