What does it mean to be still here when the odds said you wouldn’t be?
In this powerful episode, Tim McDonald shares his remarkable journey of being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer — a diagnosis that carries only a 15% five-year survival rate. Now, just shy of those 5 years, Tim is not only surviving… he’s thriving. With no sign of cancer, he opens up about the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of his diagnosis, how he faced fear with radical vulnerability, and how hope became a lifeline through every stage of treatment.
This is a story of resilience, of choosing to show up when it hurts, and of finding purpose and community in the face of uncertainty. Whether you’re navigating illness, loss, or simply trying to hold on to hope, Tim’s story will remind you that healing isn’t always linear — but it is always possible.
Tim McDonald is a good friend and a stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor diagnosed in late 2020, and today he’s celebrating *almost* years cancer-free — well beyond the typical 15% five-year survival rate. A passionate patient advocate, Tim emphasizes self-advocacy in healthcare, helped influence earlier colonoscopy guidelines, and co-founded Share My Liver, a nonprofit supporting those in need of a living liver donor. He also serves as a Patient & Family Advisory Council member with PAN Foundation, and as an ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer - lending his voice to improve access to care. Based in Tampa, Florida, Tim is a husband, grandfather, and motivational speaker — committed to sharing hope, resilience, and healing. Connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn - @timamcdonald.
Thank you for listening to Hope Comes to Visit. If this episode resonated with you, please follow, rate, and share the show — it helps others find their way to these conversations.
New episodes drop every Monday and Friday, so you can begin and end your week with a little light and a lot of hope.
For more stories, reflections, and ways to connect, visit www.DanielleElliottSmith.com or follow along on Instagram @daniellesmithtv.
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