Life on Pause

🎥 VIDEO EPISODE NOTE: This story was created for video and includes incredible visual moments from THON Weekend — from walking through Penn State's player cheer tunnel to experiencing the energy of 16,500 students in the Bryce Jordan Center. For the full experience, watch on YouTube: [LINK]When Grace Schneider was diagnosed with B-cell leukemia in 2020, her family discovered something unexpected: Penn State's THON — the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, where students stand for 46 hours straight to support children fighting pediatric cancer.This is their third year experiencing THON Weekend, and in this episode, we follow Grace's family through an incredible weekend of Family Explorers programs. Her father Ben reflects on how the compassion and caring of college students humbles him every year. Her brother Brooks shares what it means to "beat cancer along with my sister, even though I didn't have it." And young adult cancer survivor Eliot Dean describes the energy that feeds him each time he returns.From touring Penn State's football facility and meeting players like Nicholas Singleton, to walking through the player cheer tunnel, to experiencing the 46-hour dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center — THON Weekend creates connections that last far beyond one weekend. Ben shares how both his kids now dream of attending Penn State and playing sports here, inspired by the college students who showed up for them.Brooks talks about what it meant to support his sister through treatment — sending cards, texts saying "get well soon, keep fighting" — and how THON volunteers became his connection too. Eliot, who has been attending since 2016 despite his diagnosis at age 20 and relapse five years later, explains what "taking the long way around" really means when you're living with cancer.Behind it all is Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children's Hospital, which ensures families never receive a single bill for their child's cancer treatment. Since 1977, THON has raised over $254 million to cover every cost not paid by insurance — and the support extends far beyond finances.This isn't just a story about a dance marathon. It's about community, hope, and what happens when 16,500 students decide to stand up for kids who can't.Topics Covered:What THON is and how the 46-hour dance marathon worksFamily Explorers programs across Penn State's campusThe sibling perspective on childhood cancer ("I beat cancer too")How THON inspires kids fighting cancer to dream biggerWalking through Penn State football's player cheer tunnelMeeting Penn State athletes and building lasting connectionsWhat Four Diamonds covers beyond medical billsHow college students create community for cancer familiesLiving as a young adult cancer survivor and returning to THON year after yearGrace's journey from leukemia diagnosis to thriving todayAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program and Four Diamonds, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community...

What happens when treatment ends but the journey continues? For young adult cancer survivors, the ringing of the bell marks not an ending, but the beginning of something more complex — survivorship.In this powerful episode of Life on Pause, five young women who participated in Penn State Health Children's Hospital's inaugural PhotoVoice project come together to share their experiences using photography to tell the stories they struggled to put into words. Facilitated by social worker Meredith Noel and art therapist Alexis Steefel, this program gave childhood cancer survivors a space to explore themes of impact, visibility, loss and found, time, and "here."Monica Henderson (rhabdomyosarcoma, 20+ years post-treatment) shares how PhotoVoice helped her break decades of silence and honor "little Monica" who never got to share her story. Gabriela (Hodgkin's lymphoma, 4 years post-treatment) describes finding community after feeling isolated as the first in her family diagnosed with cancer. Shelly Bliss (Ewing's sarcoma, 11 years post-treatment) reflects on photographing her prosthetics as a powerful measure of time and healing.From Monica's dish soap bubbles representing "visibly invisible" survivorship to Lily's peeling paint symbolizing layers of untold stories, each photograph became a window into experiences that too often go unspoken. The participants discuss the pressure to package their stories with "a pretty little bow," the struggle to own the term "survivor," and the transformative power of finally being heard and understood.This isn't just a story about cancer — it's about sisterhood formed through shared truth, the courage to be vulnerable, and the healing that happens when survivors can tell their whole story, not just the inspirational parts.Topics Covered:The PhotoVoice methodology and five weekly themes (Impact, Visibility, Lost & Found, Time, Here)Why survivors struggle to own their narratives and the term "survivor"The gallery exhibition at Penn State Health and family reactionsSibling dynamics, twin relationships, and invisible traumaSurvivor's guilt and the pressure to be gratefulLiving with late effects and ongoing health challengesThe moment they decided to ring the bell together — on their own termsHow photography gave voice to what words couldn't expressBuilding a survivorship community for the futureFeatured Participants:Lily Montgomery (Host) - Acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivorMonica Henderson - Rhabdomyosarcoma survivor, 26 years oldGabriela (Gabby) - Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, 21 years oldShelly Bliss - Ewing's sarcoma survivor, 20 years oldMeredith Noel - Social Worker and PhotoVoice Program FacilitatorAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with...

What does health maintenance really mean when you're a young adult cancer survivor? Eliot and Hailey—both acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors—share the reality of life after treatment: checkups every six months, school accommodations for brain damage, mental health boundaries that weren't optional before, and learning which exercises won't break bones weakened by chemotherapy.Recorded at Life Lion Emergency Services in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this episode draws a powerful parallel between maintaining emergency helicopters and maintaining your own health after cancer. Just like mechanics check every system before a helicopter flies, young adult survivors must maintain their mental health, physical health, reproductive health, and everything in between.In this honest conversation, Eliot opens up about his journey through diagnosis at age 20, achieving remission, experiencing relapse, and receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his brother. He shares how cancer taught him to "cut out the BS," pace himself, and recognize that slow and steady wins the race.Hailey, diagnosed at 12 in February 2020 right before COVID lockdown, discusses living with brain damage from treatment—dead brain cells in two lobes that affect her memory, dexterity, and processing speed. Despite doctors telling her she's "performing too well for how damaged her brain is," she thrives using accommodations like dictation software and extended time. She shares the painful moment someone called her cancer diagnosis "just a break" from field hockey, and how she learned to set boundaries to protect her mental health.Topics Covered:• Redefining health maintenance after cancer (mental + physical)• Setting boundaries to protect mental health post-treatment• Living with treatment-related brain damage and school accommodations• The "gray area" of young adult cancer—too old for pediatric, too young for adult care• Cancer imposter syndrome: not looking "sick enough"• Physical fitness adaptations (bad bones, limited dexterity, ongoing symptoms)• Reproductive health challenges and Four Diamonds support• Family support for ongoing medical appointments• Finding community in the AYA cancer space• How cancer sparked curiosity about oncology and neuroscienceAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community:💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

When a Life Lion flight nurse saves a teenager's life, he never expects to meet him again. Ten years later, that young man returns—not as a patient, but as a father—to say thank you.Ten-year-old William, a leukemia survivor, discovers a new dream while exploring a Life Lion helicopter: "I may want to be a helicopter mechanic." Maria, a Wilms tumor survivor, remembers the kindness of her transport crew. And Lisa Kreider shares a stunning revelation: Life Lion saved her life sixteen years ago after a car accident—then saved her daughter Maria during cancer treatment.But the emotional center belongs to Dan Schaeffer, Life Lion's Chief Flight Nurse. At a recent fundraiser, a young man approached him: "Thank you for taking care of me." Dan didn't recognize the face. Then came the moment: "I want to introduce you to my family and kids."Ten years ago, Dan transported a seventeen-year-old with a traumatic brain injury. Today, that teenager is a father."You don't think about those things in the moment," Dan reflects. "That hit really home to me. This is what I do. This is why I do it."This episode follows Four Diamonds families to Life Lion EMS Day, where the people doing the rescuing get to see what happened next. From Dexter McConnell, a pilot who flies in weather others turn down, to Matt Baily, who treats "the sickest of the sick"—this is a story about profound connections and the impact that ripples out in ways we can't imagine.Topics Covered:William's journey from leukemia patient to aspiring helicopter mechanicMaria's Wilms tumor treatment and Life Lion transportLisa's revelation: two generations saved by the same teamDan Shcaeffer's emotional reunion with a patient ten years laterThe challenges of flying Life Lion: weather, training, and split-second decisionsLife Lion EMS Day: teaching kids that aircraft maintenance parallels their own healthcareThe "Life Lion Family" culture of support and camaraderieMatt Baily's story of the Lancaster infant in cardiac arrestFour Diamonds' role in removing financial burden for cancer familiesHow life-saving work ripples out in ways we can't imagineAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Tony Campisi, a two-time cancer survivor, shares a story about hockey, resilience, and discovering that heaven doesn't have to look the same to still be heaven.Diagnosed with an astrocytoma tumor on his spinal cord at age four, Tony lost the use of his left side and had to learn to walk — and skate — all over again. Through what he thought was "just playing games" in physical therapy, Tony fought his way back to the ice. With the support of a coach who believed in him when others doubted, telling parents "Tony's the toughest kid out there," he returned to competitive hockey.For seven years, Tony played. Then came senior year, 2021. As an eighteen-year-old high school senior, Tony started losing grip strength in his left hand. His coach began taping his hockey stick into his hand just so he could play — not too tight, not too loose, just enough to keep him in the game. A routine MRI revealed the devastating news: cancer had returned, with fluid compressing his cervical spine.In this episode of Life on Pause, Tony reflects on facing treatment the second time with full awareness, using humor to get through six weeks of proton radiation at CHOP, and playing his final game of hockey with his stick literally taped to his hand. Four years cancer-free, Tony shares how he's finding new ways to stay close to his heaven — whether skating, driving the Zamboni, or dreaming of coaching the next kid who needs someone to believe in them.From the profound wisdom of his Make-A-Wish revelation — that he would choose his cancer journey again because of who it made him — to the powerful metaphor of "the tape job," Tony's story reminds us that adaptation isn't defeat. It's strength.Thank you, Tony, for sharing your story and your voice.Topics Covered:Tony's diagnosis with spinal cord astrocytoma at age fourLearning to walk and skate again through physical therapyThe power of mentorship and believing in young cancer survivorsCancer recurrence during senior year of high schoolThe literal "tape job" that kept him playingTreatment with humor: Austin Powers and laser beamsPlaying his final hockey gameFinding new ways to stay connected to the gameThe Make-A-Wish revelation: "I would still have it happen to me"Redefining heaven when everything changesAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

At twelve years old, Ariana was living for sports — two softball teams, church basketball, and constant motion. Then her knees started hurting. What seemed like a sports injury turned into an osteosarcoma diagnosis that would change everything: her body, her childhood, and her understanding of what it means to advocate for yourself.In this powerful episode of Life on Pause, Ariana shares what no one tells you about being diagnosed with cancer as a preteen. From losing her leg to amputation, to learning to walk again with a prosthetic, to navigating nine chest tubes and countless chemotherapy regimens — her story reveals the hidden costs of childhood cancer that go far beyond treatment.Ariana speaks candidly about the things that disappeared: school days, sports, the simple freedom of going to the mall. She describes what she calls "taking the long way around" — renting out entire movie theaters, waiting four months for a prosthetic leg, canceling Make-A-Wish trips twice. But through it all, she discovered something powerful: her own voice.Now living with ongoing tumors and daily pain, Ariana shares hard-won wisdom about speaking up for yourself in the medical system, the importance of support systems, and why she tells herself "I'm not sick" to keep going. Her story isn't about beating cancer — it's about living with it, honestly and bravely, one day at a time.Thank you, Ariana, for sharing your story and your strength.Topics Covered:Being diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 12The immediate impact on school, sports, and childhoodAmputation and learning to walk with a prosthetic legNavigating multiple surgeries and chemotherapy regimensFinding your voice and advocating for yourself as a young patientLiving with metastatic disease and chronic painThe unpredictability of cancer treatment and planning for the futureCoping strategies and maintaining hopeWhat "taking the long way around" really meansAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple PodcastsContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of surgery, amputation, cancer treatment, and chronic pain.

Karen Powell, a nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering who specializes in breast cancer care, returns for Part 2 to share the night everything changed: her own diagnosis at age 39. A lifelong runner, healthy eater, and non-smoker with negative genetic testing, Karen was months away from her first routine mammogram when a quiet July evening—and a simple itch—led to a life-altering discovery.In this episode of Life on Pause, Karen reflects on what it meant to go from provider to patient overnight, how she navigated treatment decisions with insider knowledge, and the choices that led her to a double mastectomy. She also explains the surprise of finding additional invasive lobular carcinoma on final pathology, why early detection matters, and how financial and systemic barriers make diagnostic care harder for many women. Finally, she shares how her diagnosis deepens her work with patients, her approach to reconstruction and nipple tattooing access, and her message about self-advocacy: listen to your body, and keep asking until you’re heard.Topics Covered:The July 29th discovery and immediate clinical next stepsHearing “you have breast cancer” while in clinicWhen and why she shares her story with patientsChoosing surgery: lumpectomy vs mastectomy vs bilateral mastectomyFinal pathology: invasive ductal + invasive lobular carcinomaSupport systems that actually help (and how friends can show up)Boundaries at work: being a patient vs being a providerEarly detection, fear, and cost barriers (screening vs diagnostic)Reconstruction and expanding access to nipple tattooing in-house“Still the same mom”: confronting stigma and redefining survivorshipAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts for accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Karen Powell, a Penn State graduate and nurse practitioner at Memorial Sloan Kettering, shares a deeply personal story that spans three generations of women affected by breast cancer. Diagnosed herself at age 39, Karen’s path toward oncology began long before her own diagnosis — in the living rooms and hospital rooms of her childhood.In this episode of Life on Pause, Karen reflects on how her grandmothers’ experiences with breast cancer shaped her sense of purpose, empathy, and resilience. One grandmother faced her diagnosis in the 1960s — a time when women couldn’t even sign their own surgical consent. The other delayed treatment to care for her husband, a choice that ended her life too soon but left Karen with a lifelong commitment to caring for others.From growing up in a close-knit Philadelphia family to finding her calling in oncology nursing, Karen’s story reminds us that strength can be inherited — not just through DNA, but through love, courage, and compassion.Thank you, Karen, for sharing your story and your voice.Topics Covered:Karen’s upbringing and education at Penn StateThe legacy of her two grandmothers’ breast cancer experiencesHow witnessing hospice care at age four inspired her callingThe emotional impact of caregiving and generational strengthLearning that cancer is a chapter — not the whole storyAbout Life on Pause:Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community:💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Ariana McDonell and Tony Campisi share how they turned their childhood cancer journeys into powerful designs for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.At just 12 years old, Ariana entered a t-shirt design contest that became much more than an art project. Her design, chosen two years in a row, carries deep meaning: symbols of art and music therapy, friendships made in the hospital, and memories of Riley and Josh—friends she lost along the way.Tony, diagnosed at age 4 and relapsing as a teenager, found his creative outlet in a sticker. Inspired by the gold ribbon and the phrase “Fight Like a Kid,” his design included a heart to symbolize the weight childhood cancer leaves on survivors and their families. Handing out his stickers at the clinic, Tony discovered how a small design could start meaningful conversations about awareness and survivorship.Together, Ariana and Tony show us that Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is about more than ribbons—it’s about resilience, creativity, and carrying stories forward.Topics Covered:Ariana’s diagnosis and first design contest experienceThe meaning behind Ariana’s ribbon symbols and honoring lost friendsTony’s survivorship story and inspiration for his sticker designHow simple designs spark conversations and spread awarenessThe reality of life after childhood cancerCreativity as a form of healing and resilienceAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

Taylor, Eliot, Shelly, and Tony share how something as simple as a cooking class can spark confidence, connection, and independence after cancer. Hosted at Zest! Cooking School in Lititz, Pennsylvania, this Life on Pause event brought young adult cancer survivors together to learn new skills, share a meal, and reflect on how small steps can lead to big empowerment.For Taylor, cooking became a pathway to independence, showing how even intimidating tasks like making pasta from scratch can be broken down into manageable steps. Eliot discovered the comfort of connecting with peers who truly understand the cancer journey. Shelly shared how food was a lifeline during hospital stays, and how tonight’s class brought her full circle into healing and joy. And for Tony, it was about fun, friendship, and the satisfaction of creating something rewarding with his own hands.This is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the simple yet powerful ways young adults living with cancer reclaim their independence.Topics Covered:Taylor on finding confidence through cooking and independenceEliot on the comfort of sharing experiences with peersShelly on food as both a hospital lifeline and a healing joyTony on fun, empowerment, and new friendshipsHow small skills can build independence after cancerThe role of community in young adult survivorshipAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 💙 Learn more about Four Diamonds: https://www.fourdiamonds.org

Robyn, a 21-year-old from Lancaster County, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia during her second year of college. What started as what she thought were boils and cold symptoms quickly turned into a life-changing diagnosis—and a moment of decision.In this episode of Life on Pause, Robyn reflects on her experience as a young adult caught between pediatric and adult care systems. After choosing to be treated in the pediatric oncology unit—supported by the Four Diamonds program—she found more than medical treatment. She found spiritual resilience, emotional healing, and a deeper trust in her faith.Robyn shares how she wrestled with anger, questioned God’s role in her suffering, and eventually came to see her diagnosis as preparation—not punishment. Her story is honest, hopeful, and rooted in her belief that even the darkest moments can be used for something greater.Topics Covered:Robyn’s diagnosis with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemiaChoosing between pediatric and adult cancer careThe emotional impact of a sudden life interruption in collegeHow Four Diamonds support influenced her decisionProcessing anger, control, and spiritual doubtThe power of prayer and divine timing in her treatment journeyNavigating fertility conversations at age 20Robyn’s return to ministry, family, and planning for the futureSharing her story to help others find purpose in painAbout Life on Pause:Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community:💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts💙 Learn more about Hoofbeat Haven: https://www.fourdiamonds.org

Paige, a 15-year-old from Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s leukemia at stage 3. After spending seven months in the hospital undergoing intensive treatment, she found herself withdrawn and unsure—until she met a horse named Tank.In this episode of Life on Pause, we follow Paige’s six-week journey through Hoofbeat Haven, a therapeutic horsemanship program at Bridlepath Equine Center created in partnership with Four Diamonds. Designed specifically for childhood cancer survivors, the program offers more than just riding—it’s a full-body and emotional healing experience rooted in teamwork, trust, and the powerful connection between horse and human.With the support of her peers, volunteers, and the Bridlepath team, Paige transitions from participant to leader, and eventually, to volunteer. Her story is one of rebuilding—confidence, connection, and joy—in the most unexpected place: a barn.Topics Covered:Paige’s diagnosis of stage 3 Burkitt’s leukemiaEmotional recovery after a seven-month hospital stayThe healing power of therapeutic horsemanshipBridlepath Equine Center and the Hoofbeat Haven programReconnecting with animals, peers, and purposePaige’s transformation from quiet participant to confident leaderHow equine care and riding build emotional and physical strengthThe impact of support from Four Diamonds and Danielle’s team About Life on Pause:Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community:💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts💙 Learn more about Hoofbeat Haven: https://www.fourdiamonds.org🌐 Visit Bridlepath Equine Center: https://www.bridlepathequinecenter.org/

Emma, Lucas, Ariana, and Casey open up about what it’s really like to attend a cancer camp as a young adult. From fears about fitting in to late-night laughs and life-changing conversations, they share the moments that made them feel seen, safe, and supported.In this episode of Life on Pause, our guests reflect on their camp experiences—from nervous airport goodbyes to karaoke nights that ran long into the evening. These oncology camps, designed specifically for adolescents and young adults, offer more than just fun—they provide a rare space for healing, connection, and joy after cancer.For anyone wondering if camp is worth it, this episode says: absolutely. Because sometimes the most meaningful healing happens outside the hospital, around a campfire.Topics Covered:First impressions: fear, nerves, and leaving homeHow camps break the ice and build instant bondsTransformative moments like skits, boat rides, and fireside chatsDeep conversations and emotional breakthroughsLasting friendships and group chats that live onAdvice for anyone nervous about goingWhy camp felt like getting “life back” after treatmentAbout Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health’s AYA Oncology Program, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.Join Our Community: 💻 Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/ 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Life on Pause, we explore a critical—but often overlooked—aspect of cancer care: fertility preservation. Joined by Dr. Mindy Christianson, a national expert in reproductive endocrinology from the Cleveland Clinic, and Shanan Vanatta, the Fertility Preservation Coordinator at Penn State Health, we take a closer look at the options available to preserve fertility before cancer treatment begins.You’ll hear honest conversations about:Freezing eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue before treatmentThe emotional role parents often play in fertility decisionsCommon barriers like treatment delays and financial costsFertility preservation options for prepubescent childrenLong-term outcomes and evolving family-building pathsWhether you’re a patient, parent, or provider, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and critical insights to help make informed decisions during an overwhelming time.💬 Join us as we bring awareness to fertility preservation during National Infertility Awareness Week—and give voice to the future families made possible through early intervention.

In this episode of Life on Pause, young adult cancer survivors open up about the incredible power of support systems. From family and friends to classmates, coworkers, and even strangers, our guests share how they leaned on their communities—both online and offline—through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.You’ll hear honest stories of:Facing cancer far from homeLearning to ask for helpNavigating work and education post-treatmentDiscovering unexpected empathy from roommates, bosses, and even neighborsAdvocating for others after remissionWhether you're in treatment, supporting someone who is, or just seeking real stories of resilience, this conversation is for you.💬 Join us as we explore what it means to find strength in vulnerability and redefine support on your own terms.

How does a cancer diagnosis impact education and career aspirations? In this episode of Life on Pause, seven young adult cancer survivors share their personal experiences of having their lives disrupted by cancer during pivotal academic and professional moments. From reimagining career paths to navigating education with ongoing treatment, their stories highlight resilience, adaptation, and newfound purpose.Join us as we discuss the challenges of pausing life for treatment, the uncertainty of returning to school and work, and the surprising ways survivorship reshapes ambitions. Whether you’re a student, professional, or caregiver, this candid conversation offers invaluable insights into the intersection of cancer, education, and vocation.Tune in and subscribe to Life on Pause for more real stories from young adult cancer survivors.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcasts.Educational and occupational aspirations of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a qualitative analysis:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39105828/Participants:USC - Olivia Brown, diagnosed at 25USC – Jared Lipscomb, diagnosed at 31USC – Quincy Wallen, diagnosed at 31USC – Xixi Hu, diagnosed at 34PSH – Taylor Mahoney, diagnosed at 12PSH – Bailey Unterkofler, diagnosed at 17PSH – Shelly Bliss, diagnosed at 9

In this heartfelt episode of Life on Pause, Corene Parrish and a group of young adult cancer survivors gather to explore the complex relationship between food and cancer. Reflecting on life before, during, and after treatment, they discuss the surprising ways cancer impacted their cravings, taste preferences, and emotional connections with food. From cravings for indulgent foods to the bittersweet memories linked to specific dishes, the group shares personal stories, struggles with food aversions, and the comfort they found in certain meals. They also discuss the challenges of dietary restrictions during treatment and the importance of savoring life’s flavors post-cancer. Whether you’re a survivor or someone looking to understand the cancer journey better, join us for a conversation that’s equal parts sweet, salty, and empowering.

Returning to school after a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming challenge, filled with unique hurdles and unexpected moments. In this episode of Life On Pause, young adult cancer survivors Sammy, Nathan, and Corene share their personal stories of navigating the educational landscape during and after their treatments. From missed school days to balancing social lives, these survivors open up about the emotional and physical obstacles they faced, and how cancer shaped their academic paths. Tune in to hear their candid reflections on dealing with teachers, peers, and the unexpected lessons that come with a life-changing diagnosis. Whether you're a student, educator, or cancer survivor, this episode offers heartfelt insights into the realities of balancing school and survivorship.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!00:00 - Introduction: Cancer and School Challenges01:16 - Diagnosed with Cancer in High School and College06:11 - Telling Friends and Teachers About Cancer15:06 - Navigating College During Cancer Treatment17:45 - Career and Life Changes After Cancer31:41 - Emotional and Physical Challenges After Cancer52:53 - Changed Perspectives After Surviving Cancer--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this compelling episode of "Life on Pause," host Jill Robertson sits down with Joe Apgar, a cancer survivor and CEO of Pelotonia, to explore the deeply personal journey of family planning after a cancer diagnosis. Joe shares his and his wife’s decision to pursue adoption following his battle with testicular cancer and the challenges they faced along the way. From discussing the emotional complexities of adoption to the importance of open communication with birth parents, Joe offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating the delicate balance of building a family after a life-altering health experience. Whether you're considering adoption or simply seeking inspiration, this episode is a powerful testament to resilience, love, and the many ways families are created.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow us on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!0:00 - Introduction to Joe Apgar2:03 - Joe’s Journey to Fatherhood 5:13 - Choosing Adoption 9:59 - Adoption Process: Challenges and Insights 14:34 - Navigating the Adoption Paperwork 17:24 - Financial Considerations and Support 22:43 - Building Relationships Through Open Adoption 26:06 - Parenting After Cancer_________________________________________________________________#cancerandfertility #adoptionaftercancer #adoptionresourcesforcancersurvivors

In this poignant episode of Life on Pause, hosts Corene Parrish and Jill Robertson dive into the complex and emotional journey of navigating infertility, especially in the wake of a cancer diagnosis. Corene shares her personal experiences as both a cancer survivor and someone facing infertility, reflecting on how these challenges have shaped her perspectives on parenthood and life. The conversation touches on the biological drive to become a parent, the impact of early life experiences on future parenting, and the delicate balance of nature versus nurture. They also explore how life-altering experiences like cancer can influence one's approach to raising children, whether through biological means, adoption, or simply nurturing the lives of others in meaningful ways.Tune in to hear a candid discussion that offers comfort, insight, and hope to anyone grappling with infertility or the aftermath of a serious illness. Whether you’re a cancer survivor, dealing with infertility, or simply interested in understanding these sensitive issues, this episode provides valuable perspectives and a sense of community.Watch now and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video to help others who may benefit from this conversation.0:00 - Discussing Infertility and Cancer1:20 - Corene's Childhood Dreams of Motherhood2:16 - Impact of Infertility on the Desire to Parent3:30 - Nature vs. Nurture in Parenting4:28 - Cancer's Influence on Parenting Philosophy6:02 - The Unpredictable Journey of Parenthood7:27 - Reflections on Life Beyond Parenthood______________________________________________________________#cancerandfertility #cancerreoveryandfertility #Cancerpatientfertilityadvice