PEP Talks with Moffitt

Central to Moffitt Cancer Center's Promise is that we provide compassionate care by seeing, hearing, and supporting our patients and families. Amy Bondon was one of our patients who had cervical cancer followed by severe complications. Amy was a healthy, independent woman who suddenly found herself alone and frightened in uncertain circumstances. It was the kindness shown by Moffitt team members who saw her fear, heard her concerns, and supported her that allowed her to successfully traverse her cancer journey. This led to Amy becoming a patient advisor in our Patient and Family Advisory Program to help others in need with the same kindness and support she received.

Patti Halula is one of our Moffitt patients who is living with metastatic breast cancer. She is joined by retired Moffitt licensed clinical social worker Chris Healy. Patti and Chris talk about how the support of social work and Chris’ ability to see Patti’s needs beyond the cancer treatment itself allowed Patti to live a full life WITH cancer-making all the difference in the life she leads today versus the life she thought she would have.

A cancer diagnosis and its treatment can be an overwhelming experience for any person. Hugh Hedley shares how team members kept showing up with kindness, care, positive attitudes and encouragement, helping him feel supported and empowered.

We see our patients and their family members during times of high stress; especially when fear and the sense of being out of control overwhelms them. Robin Gordon, a Moffitt breast cancer patient and patient advisor, shares how her Moffitt physician was able to respond to her with grace and respect during one such moment.

Mary Sansone learned that sometimes, to the patient, facing cancer is not the only challenge. With humor and humility, Mary takes us through her experience facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia while just off the heels of reaching sobriety from addiction for the second time. The physical and emotional worries she carried into her cancer treatment were eased by Moffit team members who showed up for her; seeing her as a whole person, worthy of dignity, respect, and compassionate care.

Julia was living in the United States with her husband and her family, but the rest of her extended family was still living in Ukraine when the country was invaded by Russia. After a lengthy and complex journey to get her parents out of Ukraine to join them in the United States, Julia’s father was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer and started his treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center. Julia and her father were so grateful and appreciative for the care and support they received from Moffitt team members.

Getting a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming not only for the patient but for their family as well. We might assume that the cancer caregiver is the one who can be fully present and take in all the information to help and support the patient. But, as you will hear from Jason, that is not always the case…at least not at first.

Charlie is a former diplomat and current patient advisor at Moffitt Cancer Center. His journey starts with a small cell lung cancer diagnosis while living in Honduras. Feeling like he didn’t have a voice in his care, Charlie transferred to Moffitt and found himself in an environment where he felt empowered, hopeful and courageous.