“I could do everything right and still die, or do everything wrong and still live. Ultimately, my life was in God’s hands.” —Ivelisse Page

What does it look like to face a stage IV cancer diagnosis, lean into faith, and turn survival into service for thousands of others?

In this conversation, Dr. Ron Hunninghake is joined by Ivelisse Page, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Believe Big, to share her extraordinary journey of healing and hope. From mistletoe therapy and integrative care to the spiritual and emotional terrains of health, Ivelisse reveals how her diagnosis became the catalyst for a movement to reimagine cancer care.

This conversation is part of the Cancer Care Reimagined Speaker Series, leading up to Riordan Clinic’s Cancer Care Reimagined Conference and 50th Anniversary Gala this November.

Highlights include:

→ How Ivelisse’s personal cancer story led to the creation of Believe Big

→ Why integrative therapies like mistletoe can improve survival and quality of life

→ The critical role of mindset, faith, and emotional healing in recovery

→ A vision for the Believe Big Institute of Health and the future of integrative oncology

Meet Ivelisse Page

Ivelisse Page is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Believe Big, a nonprofit dedicated to helping patients face, fight, and overcome cancer. A stage IV colon cancer survivor, Ivelisse has become a leading voice in patient advocacy, integrative oncology education, and mistletoe research. Through her work with Johns Hopkins University and the Believe Big community, she is helping thousands navigate cancer with strength, faith, and innovative care.

This series is made possible by Empower, the Platinum Sponsor of Cancer Care Reimagined and Riordan Clinic’s 50th Anniversary Gala. As a national leader in compounding pharmacy and 503B outsourcing, Empower serves providers and patients across all 50 states with safe, affordable, and personalized medications. Guided by the belief that behind every order is a person in need, they bring compassion and innovation to everything they do. Learn more at empowerpharmacy.com.

Discover Believe Big’s mission and resources

Learn about the mistletoe clinical trials with Johns Hopkins

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Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome + introduction to the speaker series

01:44 Introducing Ivelisse Page

03:26 Diagnosis and family history of colon cancer

05:30 Discovering mistletoe therapy and beginning integrative care

09:35 Survival outcomes with mistletoe and chemotherapy

12:05 Faith, fear, and the mental battle of healing

16:34 Emotional healing and past traumas in cancer recovery

20:22 The mission and programs of Believe Big

24:00 Bridging conventional and complementary medicine

25:40 Looking ahead: the Believe Big Institute of Health

26:10 Closing reflections and award recognition

Topics we explore in this episode include:

cancer care reimagined, integrative oncology, mistletoe therapy, Believe Big, stage IV cancer survivor, cancer mindset and resilience, faith and healing, emotional healing in cancer, functional medicine cancer treatment, Johns Hopkins mistletoe clinical trial, holistic cancer care, cancer prevention strategies, patient advocacy in oncology, terrain-based medicine, spiritual dimensions of healing

Disclaimer

The information contained on the Real Health Podcast and the resources mentioned are for educational purposes only. They are not intended as and shall not be understood or construed as medical or health advice. The information contained on this podcast is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation. Information provided by hosts and guests on the Real Health Podcast or the use of any products or services mentioned does not create a practitioner-patient relationship between you and any persons affiliated with this podcast.