Hope Forward

#013 Staying positive with cancer doesn’t mean smiling when you’re scared. Host Lisa Spain talks with Anna Jane Daniel, who has been through cancer twice, about the difference between choosing hope, and feeling pressured to be positive.

Anna Jane shares what helped on her hardest days: an egg timer for letting yourself be angry or sad, laminated questions in her shower, and a pocket affirmation book made by a friend. They also talk about answering well-meaning comments, asking questions and getting second opinions, and supporting caregivers.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Books mentioned:
The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry
The Sun Stands Still by Steven Furtick
Thinking for a Change by John Maxwell
Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf
The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Connect with Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#012 Dr. Eric Singhi, thoracic oncologist, joins host Lisa Spain to discuss Young Onset Lung Cancer in adults under 50 — a group that doesn't qualify for standard screening and is too often diagnosed late. They cover biomarker testing and liquid biopsies, warning signs that get overlooked, and the unique challenges young patients face: talking to kids about a diagnosis, fertility preservation, and navigating career and family in the middle of treatment. Dr. Singhi also talks about practical advice for newly diagnosed patients and a clear message of hope grounded in today's research.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Connect with Dr. Eric Singhi
https://www.instagram.com/lungoncdoc
https://www.tiktok.com/@lungoncdoc

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Connect with Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#011 Dr. Alex Reuben, an immunologist with experience studying cancer's relationship with the immune system, joins Lisa Sain to explain how the immune system recognizes cancer, why immunotherapy doesn't work for every patient, and where engineered cell therapy is headed next. He also shares how philanthropic funding — including support from Rexanna's Foundation — has helped accelerate early-stage research that traditional funding often can't reach.

Houston Lone Star Huddle - Sept. 19, 2026
Register: https://e.givesmart.com/events/N43/
Join us for a night to raise awareness for lung cancer and raising funding to support novel targeted research projects focused on eradicating lung cancer.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#010 In this episode of the Hope Forward Podcast, host Lisa Spain sits down with Heidi Onda, founder of the White Ribbon Project, to talk about her stage 3A terminal lung cancer diagnosis — and how she turned fear, stigma, and a simple white ribbon into an international symbol of hope. Heidi shares what it was like to hear the words "get your affairs in order," the second opinion that changed everything, and how her story has grown into a movement inspiring communities around the world to rethink what lung cancer looks like.

Houston Lone Star Huddle - Sept. 19, 2026
https://e.givesmart.com/events/N43/
Join us for a night to raise awareness for lung cancer and raising funding to support novel targeted research projects focused on eradicating lung cancer.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

The White Ribbon Project
https://www.thewhiteribbonproject.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thewhiteribbonproject
https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiteRibbonProject

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#009 Lisa Spain shares the 10 most important things every cancer patient should know — lessons shaped by 20 years of walking alongside patients and families since losing her friend Rexanna to lung cancer. From asking for a second opinion to accepting help, grieving what's changed, and finding hope in uncertainty, this episode offers honest, hard-earned guidance for anyone facing a diagnosis.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#008 Dr. Jay Zhang, a thoracic oncologist and a professor of genomic medicine, joins Lisa Spain to talk about genomics, AI, and the future of lung cancer prevention.

Dr. Zhang explains how tumor genetics guide treatment decisions, shares insights from his brain metastases research, and discusses how AI-powered "digital twins" are helping predict patient outcomes. He also breaks down promising mRNA vaccine research aimed at preventing lung cancer before it becomes invasive — work he calls one of the most exciting frontiers in the field.

Along the way, Dr. Zhang and Lisa talk clinical trial myths, patient advocacy, and why doctor-patient partnership matters more than ever.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#007 A cancer diagnosis affects more than the patient—it impacts everyone who loves them. But when someone you care about has cancer, what do you say? What do you do? And how can you truly help?

In this episode of the Hope Forward Podcast, Lisa Spain shares lessons learned from 20 years of supporting cancer patients and their families. She offers practical guidance for caregivers, family members, and friends on how to provide genuine emotional support, communicate with compassion, and be present when someone you love is facing cancer.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Pat Hood Rally Card Information (Sign Up)
https://rexannasfoundation.org/rally-cards/

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#006 Samantha did everything right -- regular screenings, healthy lifestyle, and a non-smoker. Then she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

In this conversation, Samantha opens up about the misconceptions surrounding lung cancer, why biomarker testing is important, the power of second opinions, and how community has carried her through the hardest moments.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#005 In this episode of the Hope Forward Podcast, Lisa Spain sits down with Dr. Don Gibbons to discuss the latest breakthroughs in lung cancer research, including KRAS-targeted therapies, immunotherapy, brain metastases, and the critical role of patient advocacy. A powerful conversation filled with hope, insight, and the future of cancer treatment.

📒 Show Notes & Resources 📒

Register for the Houston Lone Star Huddle Up 2026
https://e.givesmart.com/events/N43/

Contact Rexanna’s Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

Follow Rexanna’s Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/

#004 A cancer diagnosis can leave patients and caregivers feeling overwhelmed, unheard, and unsure of what comes next. In this episode of Hope Forward, Lisa Spain shares practical ways to advocate for yourself, ask better questions, stay organized, and build a care team that truly supports you. From navigating second opinions to protecting your mental health and inner circle, this conversation is about helping you find your voice and move forward with clarity, confidence, and hope.

📒 Show Notes and Resources 📒

✅ Contact Rexanna's Foundation
https://rexannasfoundation.org/contact/

✅ Follow Rexanna's Foundation
https://instagram.com/rexannasfoundation/
https://facebook.com/rexannasfoundation/