Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer

In this episode, Yvonne Rawleigh joins us in recognition of June as Uterine Cancer Awareness Month. A survivor of breast cancer, uterine cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, Yvonne shares her powerful story and reflects on how her uterine cancer diagnosis affected her physically, emotionally, and mentally in ways that differed from her other cancer experiences. Yvonne highlights the realities of naviga...

In this episode, Gail (“Sunshine”) sits down around the campfire with Thomas Carter and Travis Clingman of Whitewater Rafting LLC in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Together, they share stories from guiding Epic Experience cancer thrivers down the Colorado River, reflect on the power of outdoor adventure after cancer, and discuss how rafting and kayaking can help rebuild confidence, connection, and a...

In Part 4 of our livestream series from the Hearts & Hope Gala, Sunshine sits down with Laura Woodward, Melissa Grosboll, and Denny Williams. Each of these guests plays a vital role within the Epic Experience community. Laura, aka “La La,” leads our medical review team and helps ensure campers are healthy and ready for our programs. Melissa, aka “Doc,” is a breast cancer survivor and the newes...

April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re joined around the campfire by Dr. Victoria Lee, Chief Medical Officer at Lucid Diagnostics, and Jeff Thomas, a 14-year survivor of Stage 3 esophageal cancer. Together, they bring both medical expertise and lived experience to the conversation.  In this episode, we break down what esophageal cancer is, the risk factors and early warning signs to...

In Part 3 of our livestream at the Hearts & Hope Gala, Sunshine welcomes Scott Dawson and Zach Zarnock to the campfire. Together, they share powerful caregiver perspectives on cancer survivorship, reflect on how their wives have embraced life beyond cancer, and open up about why they continue coming back to the Gala year after year.

In Part 2 of our livestream from the Hearts & Hope Gala, Sunshine welcomes this year’s Louis Chinn “Stud” Volunteer Award recipient, Derrick Wiemer (aka Toy Box). As a local community member near 7W Ranch, Derrick shares his firsthand experiences empowering cancer thrivers at camp and why the Epic Experience community means so much to him. Sunshine is then joined by Sarah Nuccio (aka Nooch), a...

For the first time, we livestreamed our podcast directly from the Hearts & Hope Gala! In Part 1, our host Gail Faye (“Sunshine”) sits down with Zach Bye, Denver sports radio host and gala emcee, to talk about why the event has such a powerful impact on him. Then Sunshine chats with Nancy Ferro, founder of Epic Experience, who shares stories and memories from the early gala days more than a dec...

In honor of Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, we welcome Leanne Barker and Christina Gambogi around the campfire to share their powerful journeys as cholangiocarcinoma survivors. They reflect on their diagnosis stories, treatment experiences, and the unique physical and emotional challenges that came with navigating a rare cancer. Leanne and Christina also discuss the importance of finding disea...

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and Lori Downing joins us around the campfire to share her story as a cervical cancer survivor. Lori reflects on the physical, mental, and emotional challenges she faced throughout her cancer journey and offers insight from her perspective as a gynecologic cancer survivor. She speaks candidly about the unique realities of cervical cancer—including gaps i...

On this episode of the How to Cancer series on the Campfires of Hope Podcast , metastatic melanoma survivor Mike Wilde joins us to talk about navigating a second cancer diagnosis. Mike shares how prioritizing self-care, supporting the people around him, and remembering the strength of his first positive outcome helped him face round two. He also offers powerful insight on letting go of certainty a...

In this hopeful closing episode of Campfires of Hope ’s “When Cancer Hits Home” series, Amanda Blackburn and Mical Roy reflect on how their families have navigated life after cancer and found ways to thrive. They share the changes in daily routines and family life that came with a cancer diagnosis, and how they worked together to create a new sense of normal.  Amanda and Mical discuss the vital ro...

In this heartfelt episode of “When Cancer Hits Home”, we hear from Jeff and Francesca Hlavacek as they navigate life after the loss of their wife and mother, Erika, to lung cancer. Jeff, a colorectal cancer survivor himself, and Francesca share how their family coped with grief, supported each other, and learned to carry on while honoring Erika’s memory.  They reflect on the most challenging momen...

In this episode of Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer Survivorship , Kimber and Justin Harris share how Kimber’s cancer diagnosis reshaped their lives as partners and parents of three. They reflect on the shock of those first days, the challenges of navigating treatment while caring for a newborn and two young children, and the very different ways they each coped.  High school sweethearts togeth...

The How to Cancer Series is back on the Campfires of Hope Podcast! In this episode, melanoma survivor Janna Jones shares How to Survive With Cancer. She offers heartfelt advice on navigating survivorship, including reinventing play, embracing the present moment, and finding positivity in everyday life. Tune in to hear her personal strategies for thriving after cancer and making each day meaningful...

We welcome back former Campfires of Hope guests Michael and Amanda Ferro, both cancer survivors who found love through the Epic Experience community and are now happily married, to “When Cancer Hits Home.” They share their journey from meeting at an Epic event to dating as survivors, navigating the challenges and joys of building a relationship after cancer, and the lessons they’ve learned along t...

In this episode of Campfires of Hope ’s “When Cancer Hits Home” series, we hear from Patrick Brennan, Molly Agnew, and Eliza and Beckett Smith , all young people whose parents have faced cancer. They share candid reflections on what it’s really like to grow up with a parent undergoing treatment, including moments of bravery, the people and resources that made a difference, and the challenges of ta...

We sit down with Hazel & Ali Senz and Julia & Madeleine McGuire to explore the unique challenges and lessons that come when a parent faces cancer in this episode of Campfires of Hope ’s “When Cancer Hits Home” series. Together, each mother-daughter duo reflects on what it was like to hear the diagnosis, how it reshaped family dynamics, and the different ways they each processed the experie...

In this episode of “When Cancer Hits Home”, our guests Kelsey Mora and Chris Balmaceda—mental health professionals who specialize in supporting both kids and adults in families impacted by cancer—share insights on the emotional and relational challenges families often face during a loved one’s cancer journey. They offer practical communication strategies to help families process the experience, bu...

In the first episode of our “When Cancer Hits Home” series, Nancy Ferro and Mark Agnew share powerful stories of how cancer impacted their families and how those experiences ultimately led to the founding of two remarkable organizations: Epic Experience and Pickles Group. Nancy and Mark reflect on how a cancer diagnosis reshaped their relationships, family dynamics, and life paths. We explore the...

Multiple myeloma survivor and patient advocate Valarie Traynham returns for part 2 to share her insights on what action can be taken to create change in clinical research inequities. Valarie dives into the critical need to raise awareness about disparities in access and representation. She offers actionable ideas for improving healthcare support, building trust, and empowering historically margina...

We’re joined by Valarie Traynham, a multiple myeloma survivor and passionate patient advocate, for the first of a two-part episode in a conversation on equity in healthcare and clinical research. Valarie explores the historical and systemic roots of medical mistrust and how they continue to impact clinical trial participation among racially diverse communities and people with disabilities. She she...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Breelyn Wilky and Dr. Christopher Lieu from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, we dive deeper into the patient experience and the innovation behind clinical trials. They share guidance on when to consider a trial during your cancer journey, what a “day in the life” looks like for trial participants, and how trials differ from standard treatments like c...

In the first of a two-part episode, we sit down with Dr. Breelyn Wilky and Dr. Christopher Lieu from the University of Colorado Cancer Center to explore the vital role of clinical trials in advancing cancer treatment. They break down common misconceptions around trial safety and effectiveness, and explain how participation can benefit both patients and the future of oncology. Whether you're consid...

Edie Harrison returns to  Campfires of Hope  to share her unique journey with clinical trials. Diagnosed as NED since 2022, Edie didn't need a trial for treatment purposes. Instead, she researched and sought out a “circulating tumor DNA” clinical trial—a cutting-edge approach to monitoring and detecting the return of her original cancer. Listen to Edie’s story to discover how clinical trials are t...

Diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in 2015, Sarah Fay's journey to being NED nearly a decade later highlights the life-saving potential of clinical trials. In this  Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer  episode, Sarah shares an honest and inspiring account of her experience—from navigating complex logistics to managing the emotional challenges. Tune in to explore the transformative impact of clinical t...