Hope In The Face of Cancer

What does it mean to find joy after a cancer diagnosis? Not just once treatment ends, but in the middle of the journey, when life feels uncertain, when everything has changed, and when hope feels fragile. In this special episode, we revisit moments from past guests who shared how they rediscovered joy in the most unexpected ways. Through movement, laughter, community, and quiet moments of gratitud...

Greg King was in his 30s, building a new chapter of life, when a testicular cancer diagnosis changed everything.  In this episode, Greg speaks candidly about fear, isolation, brain fog, and the disorienting question of how to tell the people you love that your life has just changed. He also opens up about the often unspoken reality of facing fertility decisions during treatment, and what it m...

Some seasons remind us just how much hope is out there. In this solo episode, Darcie reflects on the extraordinary ripple effect of National Cancer Survivors Month. A month spent celebrating survivorship, resilience, and the stories that continue to move us. From hospital book drops to raw conversations, from quiet acts of courage to public gatherings, this month became a living portrait of what i...

In this special episode, recorded on-location at SheSpace in Houston, three remarkable cancer survivors Shawntell, Renee, and Keith come together for an unforgettable panel conversation. With over 40 years of combined survivorship, they share hard earned wisdom, deep reflection, and enduring hope. Hosted by Darcie Wells, this heartfelt discussion explores the raw beginnings of each survivor’s jour...

What does it mean to lead with both clinical expertise and deep compassion, especially when you’ve experienced the waiting room not only as a nurse, but as a family member? What does it mean to lead with both knowledge and compassion when you’ve not only worn the badge of a nurse, but also experienced the waiting room as a loved one? Jacqueline Brock, Chief Nursing Executive at Harris Health, Doct...

Lillian Vanvieldt-Grey is a powerhouse in every sense of the word; a senior executive, a fierce advocate, and a stage III breast cancer survivor turned thriver. In this episode, Lillian opens up about her diagnosis, the early days of navigating uncertainty, and how she found strength in community, education, and purpose. Her story is not just about surviving, it’s about speaking up, reaching back,...

What happens when the person guiding others through adversity suddenly faces her own? In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Harriet Cabelly. She’s a therapist, grief counsellor, and author who found herself on the other side of the healing journey after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Known for helping others rebuild after loss, Harriet opens up about what it was like to fac...

At just 24 years old, Maddy was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma: an unexpected event that changed everything. Now 31, she’s a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach using her experience to guide others post-treatment toward healing through holistic nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and alignment. In this episode, Maddy opens up about the challenges of facing cancer as a young adult, includ...

Darcie sits down for three inspiring conversations with the women who have shaped CanCare’s past, present, and future. You’ll hear from: Anne Turnage , CanCare’s courageous founder, who shares how her personal experience with cancer became the catalyst for a movement rooted in faith, connection, and emotional support. Nancy Tucker , CanCare’s first CEO, who helped scale and sustain the organizatio...

CanCare is turns 35 this year — and we’re celebrating with a very special episode of Hope In The Face of Cancer! Join host Darcie Wells, CanCare CEO, as we honor three and a half decades of delivering oneon-one emotional support to those impacted by cancer. In this anniversary episode, you’ll hear heart-opening stories about the CanCare community and a look back at the moments that shaped our miss...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Stephen Brown, a 19-year chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) survivor, Ironman competitor, and dedicated advocate for others facing CLL. At 45 years old, while in peak physical condition, Stephen received a diagnosis that completely shocked him. But instead of letting cancer define him, he leaned on his endurance athlete mindset. Stephen shares how celebr...

2024 was a year of incredible impact at CanCare. In this episode, we’re reflect on the outreach we’ve done, the lives we’ve touched, and the many ways we’ve supported those facing cancer this year. From one-on-one emotional support to community programs and new partnerships, our mission continues to grow, reaching more patients, caregivers, and survivors when they need it most. Join us as we share...

We’re joined by speaker, entrepreneur, and author James Malinchak, who shares his personal journey of grief, resilience, and gratitude following his sister Vicki’s cancer diagnosis. James recounts his upbringing in a small steel mill town, his path as a basketball player, and his transition into a successful business career. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he received a devastating...

For this special episode of 'Hope in the Face of Cancer', CanCare President and CEO Darcie Wells joins Dorothy Gibbons, founder and CEO of The Rose , on The Rose Podcast: Let's Talk about Your Breasts for a heartfelt conversation about the power of support and connection in the cancer community. Together, they share what it takes to lead a nonprofit with compassion, how CanCare grew from a local T...

In this powerful episode of Hope in the Face of Cancer, we welcome Dr. Ishwaria Subbiah, a trailblazer in oncology and palliative care. Dr. Subbiah shares her inspiring journey growing up in a family of physicians and how it shaped her passion for whole-person cancer care.  She discusses the transformative power of patient advocacy, the importance of equitable access to clinical trials, and h...

In this deeply personal and empowering conversation, Val Howell, a five-time cancer survivor, healthcare leader, and former NFL cheerleader, takes us through her extraordinary journey of resilience, advocacy, and hope. She talks about her diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, and three additional cancers from following a challenging road to diagnosis, to her transformative work with...

We are honored to be joined by Leonard Donaldson, a deeply beloved CanCare volunteer and 32-year survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Leonard has dedicated decades of his life to offering emotional support to those facing cancer, having served over 100 individuals with compassion and wisdom. Often referred to as having a "sixth sense" when connecting with the people he supports, Leonard shares his...

We have the great pleasure to be joined by Dr. Candy Arentz, a pioneering breast cancer surgeon with Houston Methodist and a dedicated advocate for breast cancer awareness. Dr. Arentz shares her inspiring journey into oncology, detailing her passion for patient-centered cancer care and her commitment to advancing the field. She emphasizes the vital role emotional support plays in the healing proce...

We are honoured to sit down with Dorothy Gibbons, the co-founder and CEO of The Rose, who has dedicated 39 years to transforming women’s health care and breast cancer treatment. Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every woman has access to life-saving breast cancer services has made The Rose the leading nonprofit breast health organization in Southeast Texas, serving over 1 million patient...

We are joined by Dr. Joni Watson, a pioneer in oncology care. Joni is a 20-year oncology nurse, faculty member, author, and healthcare executive, who has dedicated her career to advancing cancer care. She shares her incredible journey through the evolving world of oncology, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care and the role of relationships in the healing process. She highlights...

We meet with Jennifer, a resilient breast cancer survivor, and her husband Lloyd, who stood by her side as both a loving partner and a devoted caregiver. Diagnosed with cancer while raising young children, Jennifer faced an overwhelming challenge, but she wasn't alone. Together, Jennifer and Lloyd navigated the difficulties of treatment, parenting, and work, drawing strength from their deep bond a...

In this episode of Hope In The Face of Cancer, we sit down with Dr. Keith Saathoff, a 19-year stage-4 lymphoma survivor, loving husband and father, and devoted veterinarian, who shares his incredible journey. Keith discusses the challenges of facing cancer over the past 19 years and highlights the profound connections he made along the way, including meeting his wife, Cheryl most unexpectedly. As...

In this episode of "Hope In The Face of Cancer," we welcome Bill, a remarkable advocate and ultra-marathon runner. Diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) in his 30s, Bill faced the daunting challenge of facing cancer while raising a young family. His journey is one of profound perseverance, having undergone over 70 treatments and participated in four clinical trials. Remarkably, Bill would...

In this episode, Val shares his journey through a prostate cancer diagnosis and the impact it had on his family. He discusses the crucial support he received from a friend who was also a CanCare volunteer. Val reflects on how cancer helped him reevaluate his life and purpose, leading him to volunteer with CanCare. He eventually joined the board of directors and became the board chair, where he foc...

We explore the profound connections formed between volunteers and clients at CanCare. Berit shares her journey of supporting Ann as she faced the fear of losing her husband to stage four prostate cancer. Over time, their relationship grew beyond client and volunteer, blossoming into a deep and lasting friendship. Berit and Anns story shows the strength and importance of human connection durin...