SARC Talk

This episode of SARC Talk, features Wendy Vanderbilt—a three-year myxofibrosarcoma survivor whose life story is as remarkable as her cancer journey. Born in a county jail, Wendy’s life began with adversity and grew into a powerful story of resilience. Wendy walks us through her sarcoma diagnosis, the challenges of delayed recognition, and the importance of self-advocacy in rare cancers. She offers heartfelt advice for newly diagnosed patients and caregivers, and leaves listeners with a message about sarcoma—and life—that stays with you. https://sarctrials.org/patient-resources/

In Episode 33, Dr. Scott Okuno chats with Dr. Elsa Nisswandt Keeler — retired pediatrician, chondrosarcoma survivor, and dedicated advocate. They discuss her sarcoma journey, work with Rein in Sarcoma, new role on SARC’s Research Advocacy Committee, and how she's turning experience into impact.

This episode of SARC Talk speaks with Jeff Kramer, Founder of the Chondrosarcoma Foundation, and Jamie Elliott, sarcoma survivor and advocate. Both share their personal journeys with Chondrosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, and discuss advocacy, treatment challenges, and raising awareness through efforts like Smashing Sarcoma. An inspiring conversation about strength, community, and driving progress for rare sarcomas.

https://csfshayna.org/

https://smashingsarcoma.org/

https://usapickleball.org/

In this special episode, we sit down with Lachelle Semanko, a passionate advocate and leader at RIS (Rein In Sarcoma), a Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to increasing awareness, advocacy, and collaboration in the fight against sarcoma. Lachelle shares her personal journey to RIS and dives into the organization’s origin story and national growth. You'll learn how RIS is uniquely structured around three core pillars that extend beyond sarcoma subtypes, focusing instead on uniting patients, families, medical professionals, and researchers through community, education, and support. We explore the challenges of raising awareness for this rare and often overlooked cancer, and how RIS uses innovative programs and partnerships to spread the word—especially during Sarcoma Awareness Month in July. From educational outreach to community events, Lachelle walks us through the impact RIS is making, one connection at a time. We also talk fundraising, medical center collaboration, and how RIS is investing in the future of sarcoma care and research.

This episode of SARC Talk is diving into the SARC SarcomaDirectory - powerful new resource for patients and families navigating sarcoma. We are joined by Dr. “Chappie” Conrad, Annie Achee, and Dr. Mitch Achee to discuss this new vital tool. Together, they share the origins and vision behind the Directory, how it was developed, why it matters, and what’snext.

In this episode of SARC Talk, we feature EricaFischer-Cartlidge, DNP, RN, AOCNS, EBP-C, Chief Clinical Officer of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), about the critical role nurses play in cancer care—especially in rare cancers like sarcoma. She discusses how nurse navigators, clinical innovation, and national collaboration can improve patient outcomes and experience. She also speaks on the impact of innovative nursing-led initiatives on cancer care delivery, and how ONS is shaping education and training for oncology nurses nationwide.  

In this episode of SARCTalk, we’re joined by Dr. John Gross,Director of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Gross shares his journey into pathology, the critical role pathologists play in sarcoma diagnosis and care, and how accurate classification drives treatment decisions. We also discuss his work with the Chondrosarcoma Foundation, the SARC Tumor Board, and ongoing efforts to improve diagnostic accuracy through research and collaboration.

This episode of SARC Talk features Dr. Danh Truong, PhD., an Instructor in Sarcoma Medical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Truong shares his journey from biology student to pioneering researcher in sarcoma. He discusses his work in sarcoma research, the importance of collaboration at MD Anderson, and his involvement in key initiatives like the SARC Career Development Award. Tune in as we explore the strategic advances in sarcoma science, mentorship for young investigators, and the role of androgen receptors in sarcoma. Plus, Dr. Truong gives insight into what the future holds in this critical field of oncology.

In this episode of SARC Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Elise Nassif Haddad from MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Haddad shares her unique perspective on medical training outside of the U.S. and how it shapes her approach to cancer care. She also discusses the importance of building connections and collaborations within the sarcoma community. Tune in for valuable insights, especially her work on leiomyosarcoma, and learn how these advancements are making a difference in the field.

In this episode of SARC Talk, we’re joined by Dr. Margaret von Mehren, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. von Mehren shares her journey in the field of oncology, providing insight into her career path and the expertise she’s developed in treating Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST). She also discusses her work with various committees focused on advancing sarcoma research and improving patient outcomes. Tune in to hear about Dr. von Mehren’s contributions to the world of sarcoma, her clinical and research experiences, and her vision for the future of cancer treatment.