After an amazing season of sharing stories, we’re taking a pause on the Lighthouse Family Retreat Podcast. Thank you for listening, supporting, and being part of this journey! While we won’t have new episodes for a while, you can still revisit and share all our previous episodes.

We’re looking forward to the next chapter of serving families impacted by childhood cancer. See ya later! 

In this heartfelt episode, Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards sit down with Marissa Bondurant, a writer, mother of four, and passionate childhood cancer advocate. Marissa shares the powerful story of her family's journey through childhood cancer, which led her to discover a new purpose: using her experiences to encourage and bring gospel hope to others.
Together, they discuss Marissa’s transition from writing updates for family and friends to creating a ministry that reaches caregivers and cancer families worldwide. They also learn about her book "Who Cares for You?," her inspiring blog, and the 31-Day Prayer Guide for Caregivers, which are resources designed to comfort and strengthen those walking through difficult seasons. 

Marissa also shares practical advice for staying connected, instructions for accessing her writing and guides, and a deeply encouraging message for anyone facing challenges: God sees you and will use your story for good.

You can find Marissa's resources on her website.

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In this inspiring episode, hosts Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards sit down with special guests Elise Keel, Megan Beasley, and Seamus, a Duke athlete, to discuss the transformative work of Team Impact. Team Impact connects children facing serious illnesses with college athletic teams, fostering meaningful relationships that empower kids and inspire athletes. These connections create a community of support, resilience, and joy for families navigating life with pediatric illness.
Listeners will hear firsthand accounts from the Beasley family and Seamus about how Team Impact has shaped their lives. The Beasleys share their journey of joining the program, highlighting the incredible bonds formed and the emotional support they’ve experienced. Meanwhile, Seamus offers a unique perspective as an athlete, reflecting on his life lessons and personal growth from participating in this initiative. Together, their stories showcase the profound ripple effect of Team Impact’s mission on children, families, and college communities.
Whether you’re a family seeking support, an athlete eager to make a difference, or inspired by the power of connection, this episode is a touching reminder of how compassion and teamwork can create lasting change.
Connect with Team Impact: https://www.teamimpact.org
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In this heartfelt episode of The Lighthouse Podcast, hosts Chris Woodruff and Christy Richards sit down with Amy Jo Osborn, co-founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Amy Jo shares the deeply personal journey that led her and her husband, Jim, to start the foundation after the loss of their first-born son, Austin, to cancer. What began as unimaginable grief grew into a mission to help other families navigate life after a childhood cancer diagnosis. Their goal is to see families thrive—not merely survive—through holistic care and support.

Amy Jo opens up about the early days of the Austin Hatcher Foundation, from its beginnings in 2006 to now serving over 90,000 children and families across 24 states and 42 hospitals. She and the hosts explore the critical need for mental health resources for families touched by pediatric cancer. Listeners will gain insight into the foundation’s unique events, such as the Petit Le Mans weekend, which offers moments of healing through diversionary therapy.

The episode wraps with practical advice for families seeking support, as Amy Jo explains how they can get involved with the Austin Hatcher Foundation. With Lighthouse Family Retreat embedded in her own story, Amy Jo reflects on how both organizations have become intertwined in her life. Tune in to hear her inspiring message of purpose born from pain, and discover ways to connect with the resources that can make a lasting impact.

Find out more about the Austin Hatcher Foundation, by heading to their website.

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In this episode, we dive into the world of music therapy with Austin, a passionate advocate for the healing power of music. We discuss how music impacts children and teens and explore its therapeutic potential. Austin shares insights from his background in music and explains how the Sing Me A Story Foundation empowers children to tell their stories through song.

Join us as we learn how the foundation works, including how kids of all ages can create their own songs, the genres they explore, and the powerful stories that emerge. Austin also shares one of his favorite stories and offers advice on how families can get involved.

Whether you’re a parent looking to inspire your children or simply interested in the transformative power of music, this episode is full of heartwarming moments and practical steps to make music a part of your life.

To connect with Sing Me a Story, head over to their website: https://singmeastory.org

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Happy Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! We have gone GOLD this month, and we hope you are, too. We love wearing our first-ever childhood cancer awareness t-shirt. This September, we are sharing all sides of childhood cancer, from medical staff to family stories to incredible non-profits and so much more!

In this episode, we sit down with Mariah Forster Olson to explore her inspiring cancer journey and her vital work with the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2). Our conversation begins with a heartfelt reflection on her personal battle with cancer, highlighting the encouragement she drew from seeing her parents lead the family with strength and grace. We also discuss how Mariah has maintained a positive attitude throughout her journey and how this resilience continues to shape her approach to life today.

As the conversation unfolds, Mariah shares the origins of CAC2, detailing the needs and challenges that led to its formation. We dive into her involvement with the organization, uncovering the joys and triumphs she's experienced along the way. The episode also introduces listeners to the CAC2 Toolkit, a valuable resource designed to support families and professionals in the childhood cancer community. Mariah explains who the toolkit is for, how to use it effectively, and the various categories of information it covers, leaving listeners with a powerful sense of hope and practical tools to navigate the challenges of childhood cancer.

In the intro, Chris and Christy discussed our Gold Party fundraiser event and the silent online auction. Everyone is welcome to participate in the auction, which opens on September 6th at noon. You can find out more about it here.

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Welcome back to the Lighthouse Podcast! We are so glad you are joining us for the August episode. In this episode, we have a candid conversation with Juanita Prada, who opens up about their extraordinary journey from a young cancer patient to a resilient advocate. Juanita walked through Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) childhood cancer starting at age 10. She has been cancer-free since 2008 when she completed treatment at the age of 15.

We start the episode by getting to know Juanita beyond the diagnosis, exploring a lesser-known facet of their life. We then move into the pivotal moments of her cancer journey, discussing the initial diagnosis during childhood, the challenging relapse as a teenager, and the stark differences in treatment experiences across these stages. Juanita sheds light on the often overlooked delayed side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, sharing personal encounters with uncommon side effects. We also dive into her struggles in school and the sacrifices they made to graduate alongside their peers.

Last but not least, we hear about Juanita's ministry - "Be Hold Be Gold." She shares her dreams and hopes for the future of this inspiring initiative and highlights some defining moments that have shaped their journey. She also offers valuable advice for parents on preparing their children for potential delayed side effects of cancer treatment. Juanita reflects on the evolution of her faith and relationship with God throughout her journey, encouraging those affected by childhood cancer. We conclude with ways our listeners can support this mission and contribute to raising awareness and support for childhood cancer survivors.

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In this episode, we sit down with Bryce Knight, who shares their compelling journey of resilience and strength through a family's unexpected challenges. Bryce opens up about her upbringing, family dynamics, and personal interests and provides a glimpse into her life before and after 2010.

The conversation moves into the pivotal year when their family faced a significant upheaval, leading to their brother Brody's hospitalization. Bryce recounts the emotional impact of being separated from their siblings and staying with different family members during this turbulent period.

We explore valuable advice for parents on supporting siblings during such trials and discuss the importance of transparent and age-appropriate conversations. Bryce reflects on how having a deeper understanding of Brody's situation could have shaped their experience and offers insights for siblings on navigating similar journeys.

The episode also highlights the profound impact of Lighthouse, a beacon of support for Bryce and her family. From their first retreat to a transformative summer serving on the Lighthouse summer staff, Bryce shares cherished memories and the joy of giving back to a community that once uplifted them.

Join us for an inspiring and moving discussion that underscores the power of family, resilience, and the incredible bonds formed through shared challenges!

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Welcome back to the Lighthouse Podcast! Today, we have the privilege of sharing the heartfelt journey of Nakiso and her family's battle with a challenging diagnosis. In October 2022, Nakiso began experiencing unusual fatigue, nausea, and a persistent stomachache. Despite multiple visits to her pediatrician and urgent care, it wasn't until a blood test at the emergency room on November 6th, 2022, that they finally received a diagnosis.

This life-altering news led to Nakiso switching to virtual schooling, a difficult transition as she missed her friends and struggled to keep up with her studies, even with the school's support. We delve into the severe side effects of her chemotherapy, including a terrifying episode of septic shock and painful pancreatitis. Despite these hardships, Nakiso's incredible resilience inspires us all. In addition, Tawana, Nakiso's older sibling, was incredible at caring for everything else at home and the younger siblings, while Spiwe and Dryden took care of Nakiso.

Join us as we explore the highs and lows of this journey, offering insights, support, and hope to families facing similar challenges.

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Join us as we delve into the inspiring story behind the founding of the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Our hosts sit down in person with Dean Crowe, the driving force behind Rally Foundation, to uncover the grassroots initiatives, community involvement, and cost-efficient strategies that have fueled the organization's mission to combat childhood cancer.
From empowering volunteers, families, and friends to become advocates in the fight against pediatric cancer to the heartwarming stories of Rally Kids, we explore the profound impact of community-driven efforts in driving research and support for young cancer patients. Additionally, we discuss Rally Foundation's collaborations with researchers, scientists, and medical institutions, shedding light on significant breakthroughs and the pivotal role families and patients play in shaping research priorities.
Moreover, we explore the vital role of Rally Kid Research Funds in empowering families and friends to contribute meaningfully, offering support and hope to those battling childhood cancer. Looking toward the future, we discuss the primary goals and milestones that the Rally Foundation aspires to achieve in the coming years to advance childhood cancer research and support young patients and their families.
Connect with the Rally Foundation: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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Welcome back to the Lighthouse Podcast! Last September, we had the privilege of attending a poignant gathering in Washington, D.C., called "CureFest." Amidst the inspiring atmosphere, we had the honor of encountering remarkable individuals and organizations. Today, we're thrilled to share a heartfelt conversation with Leia Hunt, one of the extraordinary souls we met at CureFest.

Leia's journey began at the tender age of 2 1/2 when she was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. She had a total of 26 surgeries and relapsed during her two-year cancer journey. Inspired by her own family's journey, Leia founded Leia's Kids to offer support and hope to families facing similar challenges. She discusses the creation of journals and the heartwarming children’s book "Princess Marygold," which aimed to bring light to young cancer warriors' lives. 

As we explore the long-term effects of chemotherapy, Leia sheds light on what parents can expect and how they can best support their children through any challenges that may arise. She also shares the evolution of her faith throughout their journey and offers words of encouragement to those affected by childhood cancer.

You will walk away from this episode being so encouraged by Leia's voice for childhood cancer and find inspiration in her message of finding beauty and normalcy in every circumstance.

In the opener, Chris mentioned our Amazon wishlist. If you would like to check it out, you can do that by following this link: https://a.co/boWB9K8

Connect with Leia's Kids: Website | Facebook
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