INDY Foundation: Connecting through Cancer

INDY Foundation is excited to share a partnership with Grand View Lodge (GVL) of Nisswa, MN benefitting Minnesota's cancer warriors. The GVL Thrive program was born from an idea after cancer survivor and Thriver Stephanie Kennelly found healing and comfort in her stay at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN. We are thrilled and honored to be partnering with Grand View Lodge to create a program that will...

In this episode of the Connecting Through Cancer Podcast, host Kayla Keenan and her husband Mitch discuss life before and after having kids. They reflect on the spontaneity and freedom they enjoyed pre-kids, the adjustments and challenges of parenthood, and how their relationship and romantic dynamics have evolved. They share amusing parenting anecdotes, emphasize the importance of patience and in...

In this heartfelt conversation, the speakers discuss the complexities of navigating life after the loss of a loved one, the challenges of building a new relationship, and the importance of open communication. They share personal stories about grief, guilt, and the support of family and community, as well as the impact of the INDY Foundation. The discussion emphasizes the lessons learned from grief...

In this episode of the INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer podcast, host Kayla Keenan and guest Sara Kruger delve into the emotional and social complexities of navigating cancer. They discuss the importance of open communication, the often-overlooked struggles of caregivers, and the unexpected social dynamics that arise during cancer treatment. Sara shares her personal journey, highlighting...

In this episode of the INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer podcast, host Kayla Keenan speaks with Sara Kruger about her personal cancer journey, beginning with her diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. Sara shares her experiences with family reactions, the importance of genetic testing, and the challenges of navigating treatment, especially after being classified as stage four. Throughout...

In this emotional and personal episode, Kayla Keenan, founder of INDY Foundation, shares her intimate story of navigating profound loss and starting over. Kayla recounts the heart-wrenching journey from her late husband's cancer diagnosis to his passing, and how she rebuilt her life thereafter. This episode delves into her battles with grief, the unexpected turns of life, and finding purpose in th...

In this conversation, Jen Stich, a cancer warrior, shares her personal experiences and insights about the often-overlooked aspects of undergoing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and mastectomy. She discusses the emotional and physical challenges she faced, such as hair loss, mobility issues, and the impact on daily life. The conversation emphasizes the importance of support sys...

In this episode of INDY Foundation Connecting Through Cancer, the guest host Courtney Studenski interviews Jen Stich about her experience with being diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer. Jen shares her story of discovering a lump during a shower, undergoing mammograms, and receiving a cancer diagnosis. She provides valuable advice for people newly diagnosed with cancer, emphasizing the impor...

In this episode of the INDY Foundation Podcast, "Connecting Through Cancer", host Courtney Studenski welcomes guest Jen Stich, a breast cancer survivor, to discuss life after cancer treatment. Jen shares her journey from diagnosis in 2021 through treatment and into remission. The conversation highlights the different perspectives of patients and caretakers, emphasizing the challenges of transition...

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan discusses the often unspoken realities of cancer, emphasizing the discomfort it brings to individuals and society. She highlights the emotional isolation faced by both patients and caregivers, the pressure to maintain a brave facade, and the need for honest conversations about the struggles associated with cancer. The episode aims to...

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan shares heartfelt advice for caregivers of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Drawing from her own experience as a caretaker, she emphasizes the emotional challenges faced by caregivers, the importance of communication, self-care, and empowering patients to make choices. Kayla encourages caregivers to express love and support while navig...

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan shares her personal journey as a widow navigating life after losing her husband to cancer. This is kicking off our "Life After Cancer" mini-series. She discusses the emotional complexities of grief, the challenges of identity and role changes, and the importance of healing as a caretaker. Kayla offers heartfelt advice on moving forwar...

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan discusses the concept of the 'Let Them' mindset popularized by Mel Robbins. This mindset emphasizes the importance of allowing others to act according to their own choices, particularly in the context of cancer journeys. Kayla reflects on her experiences during her partner's cancer battle, highlighting the emotional complexities of su...

In this conversation, Courtney Studenski and Kayla Keenan reflect on the recent gala event, discussing the emotional connections formed, the impact of cancer on life perspectives, and the importance of community support. They celebrate the success of the event, which raised significant funds for cancer warriors, and share personal anecdotes that highlight the transformative experiences of those af...

In this conversation, Abbey Graves shares her journey as a participant in 'Dancing with Our Stars' for the Women's Fund of Central Minnesota, highlighting her fundraising efforts for the INDY Foundation. She discusses her dance practice, the importance of community support, and her personal connection to the foundation, which has been a source of hope during her family's cancer journey. The conver...

This conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of event planning, and the profound impact of community support in the context of cancer awareness. The speakers reflect on their experiences at a recent fundraising event, emphasizing the importance of connection, resilience, and the role of social media in amplifying their message and raising funds for a noble cause. Takeaways Community even...

In this episode, Kayla Keenan discusses the profound importance of connection during cancer journeys, emphasizing the roles of caregivers, the necessity of vulnerability, and the healing power of community. Through personal anecdotes and insights, she illustrates how relationships can provide essential support and comfort in the face of uncertainty and fear. Takeaways Connection is vital for those...

In this episode of the Indy Foundation Connecting Through Cancer podcast, host Kayla Keenan and guest Beth Flick share their personal journeys through cancer, loss, and the importance of community support. Beth recounts her experience with breast cancer and the subsequent diagnosis of her husband, Brad, with stage four prostate cancer. They discuss the challenges of navigating palliative care, the...

In this heartfelt conversation, Beth Flick shares her journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the emotional toll it takes on her and her family. She discusses the importance of communication, support systems, and living with purpose while navigating the challenges of being a mother and a cancer survivor. The conversation highlights the raw emotions, the impact on family dynamics, and the...

Cancer Prevention Month is observed in February in the United States, but really this topic should be top of mind year round. This month aims to raise awareness about cancer prevention strategies and encourage individuals to take proactive steps to reduce their risk of developing cancer. In this episode of the Connecting Through Cancer podcast, Kayla Keenan, founder of the Indy Foundation, discuss...

In this episode of the Connecting Through Cancer podcast, Kayla Keenan, founder of the INDY Foundation, discusses the critical difference between empathy and sympathy, especially in the context of cancer diagnoses. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of empathy in both personal and professional settings, particularly for employers dealing with employees facing significant...

Learn more about the gala: https://indy-foundation.org/events/bowties-arrows-gala/ INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish th...

In this heartfelt conversation, Kayla and Cari reflect on their experiences navigating the challenges of cancer, friendship, and the emotional toll of supporting a loved one through illness. They share personal stories about Kyle's journey, the importance of being present, and the creation of the INDY Foundation to support families affected by cancer. The discussion emphasizes the significance of...

In this episode of Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan and guest Cari May share their intertwined journeys through cancer, exploring the importance of holistic health, emotional well-being, and the need for self-advocacy. They discuss the significance of researching alternative treatments, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the necessity of community support. The conversation emphasize...

In this episode of the Connecting Through Cancer podcast, host Kayla Keenan welcomes her mother, Traci Balder, to share their personal experiences with cancer, particularly focusing on the journey of Kayla's late husband, Kyle. They discuss the impact of family history with cancer, the emotional challenges faced during diagnosis and treatment, and the importance of community support. Tracy reflect...