Encompassing Cancer

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 resourc...

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.

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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....

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 o...

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! 

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• Related...

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 ...

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. 

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• Cancer Pathways 17th Annual ...

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 ...

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 do...

This is a special episode that originally aired on Fred Hutch’s Cancer Health Equity NOW podcast! Lauren had the opportunity to be a guest on their show and chat with Kayla Kenyon, Deeya Chandran, and Jessica Lopez-Ramirez about Cancer Pathways’ programs/services and upcoming SunSET (Sun Safety Education and Training) project. Together, they dive into what the project will consist of, the importance of sun safety, prac...

For our annual skin cancer awareness month episode this May, Lauren is joined by Jon Ziska, who is a two-time melanoma survivor. Jon shares how he was first diagnosed, what the signs of potential melanoma are, how he protects his skin from the sun, the dangers of tanning and tanning beds, and what he hopes to accomplish through his advocacy work. This is a must-listen episode, with many tangible tips for protecting you...

We are covering the many nuances to caregiving - particularly within the context of a partnership or marriage. In this episode, Lauren is joined by Sabrina Ortolano, who has been a caregiver to her wife, Cyndi for the past 10 years. Cyndi was diagnosed with a rare form of Medulloblastoma in 2014, completely shifting their world and altering their relationship. Sabrina shares how she navigated this change while taking o...

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month! In this episode, Lauren is joined by Connor O’Leary, Chief Mission Officer at the Testicular Cancer Foundation. Connor shares his personal experience going from a professional cyclist racing in Europe to being faced with a testicular cancer diagnosis. Connor and Lauren talk about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, body image and misconceptions associated with the disease, tips f...

For the fourth and final episode of our Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month series, Lauren is joined by Dr. Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS, who is a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor at Fred Hutch and the University of Washington (UW). She is the Director of the Fred Hutch/UW Medicine Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. Dr. Issaka talks about the different types of colon cancer screening tests, common...

For the third episode of our Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month series, Cancer Pathways’ program director, Amy, is joined by Michael Schofield (@mischof), who is a stage 1 colon cancer survivor. Michael shares tips for preparing for colonoscopies, what to expect before, during and after the procedure, why they’re so important, what polyps are, and misconceptions people tend to have when it comes to colorectal cancer. Pl...

In the second episode of our Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month series, Lauren is joined by Esther Hyun (@parentingwithcancer), who is a young mom of two and was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in early 2023 at the age of 36. Esther shares with listeners what her initial symptoms were, the long process of getting her diagnosis, the importance of advocating for yourself to get the answers you need, how she communicat...

In partnership with Colon Cancer Stars and the Washington State Department of Health, we are bringing you a 4-part series for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March. In this first episode of the series, Lauren is joined by Anita Mitchell Isler, who is a stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor and advocate. They talk about common symptoms and signs of colorectal cancer, the rise in early-onset cases, why colorectal ca...

Cancer Pathways’ program director, Amy Wooten, is taking over the mic for our 50th episode! In part 2 of our series for National Cancer Prevention Month, you’ll hear from Lauren and Amy as they share a total of 25 cancer risk reduction tips that range from physical activity and nutrition to HPV and tobacco/lung health. We’re also celebrating TWO years of the Encompassing Cancer podcast! To celebrate along with us, plea...

February is National Cancer Prevention Month! Through this two-part series, we’re bringing you 50 tips to reduce your cancer risk. In part 1, you’ll hear from Cancer Pathways program managers, Lauren, Jana, Morgan, Paige, and Terri as they tell you more about their programs, exciting updates to look out for, and their tips for cancer risk reduction. They share a total of 25 tips that range from physical activity and nu...