Hope In The Face of Cancer

One Diagnosis. 3,000 Women Helped

How do you turn a life-changing cancer diagnosis into a mission that helps thousands of others? At 37 years old, Lyndsay Levingston was building a successful career in television news in New York City when she discovered a lump that would change the course of her life. The diagnosis was stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer. What followed was a journey through treatment, difficult decisions, and unexpected challenges that ultimately led her to a greater sense of purpose. Today, Lyndsay is a breast cancer survivor, advocate, speaker, and founder of Survive Her, a nonprofit dedicated to education, support, and empowerment for women affected by breast cancer. As Lyndsay reflects on her diagnosis, she shares how faith, family, and community became her foundation. What began as a desire to tell her story during the pandemic grew into SurviveHer, a nonprofit dedicated to breast health education, support, screening awareness, and survivorship. She discusses the growing number of young women facing breast cancer, the importance of knowing your family history, and why every survivor's story matters. This conversation is a powerful reminder that hope is medicine, support changes lives, and purpose can emerge from places we never expected. Lyndsay's story offers encouragement for anyone facing cancer and a call to use your voice, your experience, and your compassion to help others along the way. Highlights: · Learn why knowing your family history can be a critical part of early cancer detection. · Discover how support systems can impact both treatment and recovery. · Understand the unique challenges younger adults face after a cancer diagnosis. · Hear how faith and mindset can help people navigate uncertainty and fear. · Learn how personal adversity can become the foundation for meaningful service and advocacy. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org SurviveHER – https://www.imasurviveher.org/ [https://www.imasurviveher.org/] About the Guest: Lyndsay Levingston is a breast cancer survivor, nonprofit founder, and tireless advocate for women navigating their breast health journey. After her own diagnosis, Lyndsay turned lived experience into lasting impact, building SurviveHER into a vibrant sisterhood offering education, financial assistance, wellness resources, and access to life-saving screenings for uninsured and underinsured women. Since 2020, SurviveHER has supported more than 3,000 women and received national recognition, including acknowledgments from the United States Congress. Her work has been featured in ESSENCE, Oprah Daily, NBC News, and Yahoo!. Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook [https://cancare.org/hopebook]. About Our Host: Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. https://www.cancare.org/ [https://www.cancare.org/] https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc [https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc] https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc [https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc] Thanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook [https://www.cancare.org/hopebook].

When Medicine Meets Compassion

What if one of the most powerful forms of cancer support comes from someone who has already walked the path before you? Darcie Wells sits down with Susan Sabo-Wagner, Vice President of Clinical Innovation at the American Oncology Network (AON) , and Isabel Verastegui, Manager of Care Coordination at AON, to explore how personal cancer experiences can shape the way patients are supported. Susan shares how a leukemia diagnosis at age 17 influenced her lifelong career in oncology nursing, while Isabel reflects on being diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at 41 while working in the oncology field herself. Both women open up about fear, uncertainty, treatment, and the support systems that helped them move forward. Their conversation highlights the importance of community oncology, the value of receiving care close to home, and the life-changing impact of peer support. Isabel explains how finding CanCare during treatment helped ease her anxiety and inspired her to become a volunteer for others facing cancer. Susan shares why emotional support is just as important as clinical care and how hope can help people navigate even the most difficult moments. This episode is a reminder that no one should face cancer alone. Whether you're in treatment, supporting a loved one, or navigating survivorship, there is strength in connection, comfort in shared experience, and always hope ahead. Highlights: · Why peer support often provides reassurance that even the best medical team cannot offer. · How community oncology is helping more people access high-quality cancer care closer to home. · Practical ways to manage fear, uncertainty, and anxiety after a cancer diagnosis. · What survivors learn about gratitude, perspective, and living one day at a time. · How healthcare organizations are expanding support beyond treatment to address emotional well-being. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org [www.cancare.org] AON - https://www.aoncology.com/ [https://www.aoncology.com/] About the Guest: Susan Sabo-Wagner is an oncology certified nurse executive, Vice President of Clinical Innovation at the American Oncology Network, and a living testament to the resilience that defines the cancer journey. Diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager, Susan faced the fear and uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis that changes everything and came out the other side with a calling. She has spent her career transforming how cancer patients experience care across the country, bringing to that work something no credential can teach: the knowledge of what it truly means to sit in that chair. Isabel Verastegui is a Care Coordination Manager at the American Oncology Network, where she has spent 12 years working with cancer patients. In January 2022, at just 41 years old, Isabel was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. Cancer did not stop her. It deepened her. Today she shows up not only for her patients at AON but as a CanCare volunteer for other women who find themselves navigating their own cancer journeys. Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook [https://cancare.org/hopebook]. About Our Host: Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. https://www.cancare.org/ [https://www.cancare.org/] https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc [https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc] https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc [https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc] Thanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook [https://www.cancare.org/hopebook].

Cancer Researcher Becomes Survivor

What can a cancer researcher teach us when he suddenly finds himself sitting in the patient chair? Larry Coffer spent more than 20 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center supporting ovarian and breast cancer research, helping teams develop treatments and improve outcomes for patients. Long before his own diagnosis, cancer shaped his life through his stepfather’s battle with colon cancer. That experience inspired a career dedicated to helping others. Then, while training for a marathon, a routine physical revealed a rare cancer called extramedullary plasmacytoma. What began as a standard checkup quickly became a life-changing journey. Larry shares what it was like to move from researcher to patient, receive treatment at the institution where he built his career, and navigate the uncertainty that comes with a rare diagnosis. He opens up about the emotional toll of cancer, the importance of leaning on friends, family, faith, and community, and how running helped him process the experience. He also discusses his work as a stem cell donor and advocate, helping others understand the life-saving impact of bone marrow and stem cell donation. Larry’s story is a reminder that a diagnosis does not define who you are. With support, purpose, and hope, it is possible to keep moving forward one step at a time. Highlights: · How a routine health screening uncovered a rare cancer with no warning signs · What changes when a cancer researcher becomes a cancer patient · Why support systems matter even for the people who seem strongest · How running, faith, and community can help during treatment and recovery · What stem cell donation really involves and why more donors are urgently needed Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org [https://www.cancare.org] Larry’s Marathon Fundraiser for CanCare - https://fundraisers.hakuapp.com/larry-coffer [https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffundraisers.hakuapp.com%2Flarry-coffer&data=05%7C02%7Cjulian.cain%40cancare.org%7Cb0ee7818d4934274077f08debc40ef41%7C42355038dc4344a7a285d1debc243e9c%7C0%7C0%7C639155184450896814%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3cGbPZnhHCo3EvenB7hN%2BakAND7zbYsxI4zcESnVgp8%3D&reserved=0] About the Guest: Larry Coffer is a plasma cell cancer survivor, cancer researcher, stem cell donor, and marathon runner. For more than 20 years, he has led groundbreaking research at MD Anderson Cancer Center focused on ovarian and breast cancer. Then a routine physical before a marathon changed everything. Larry completed 20 rounds of radiation and rang the bell in January 2026. His running community has a special connection to CanCare, a full circle moment. Larry shares what happens when the science becomes personal, and what he found on the other side. Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook [https://cancare.org/hopebook]. About Our Host: Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. https://www.cancare.org/ [https://www.cancare.org/] https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc [https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc] https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc [https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc] Thanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook [https://www.cancare.org/hopebook].

Humor & Grace After 2 Cancers

What happens when one cancer diagnosis is followed by a second life-changing diagnosis before you’ve had time to process the first? Sarah McDonald is a two-time cancer survivor, author, TEDx speaker, executive coach, and advocate for rare cancer research. While building a successful career at eBay and planning for motherhood, Sarah was diagnosed with a rare salivary gland cancer. Just weeks later, she learned she also had Stage 3 breast cancer after pushing for additional testing and trusting her instincts. Sarah shares the emotional toll of facing two cancers at once, the uncertainty of rare cancer treatment, and the heartbreak of learning cancer treatment would change her plans for having a family. She reflects on the doctors who changed her life, the importance of self-advocacy, and how integrative practices such as meditation, guided imagery, yoga, and acupuncture helped her find calm during the most difficult moments. She also discusses the inspiration behind her books, The Cancer Channel and The Cancer Companion, and how her experience led her to become a speaker, mentor, and advocate for others facing cancer. Sarah’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest seasons, hope can grow through connection, self-advocacy, and the decision to use your experience to help someone else find their way forward. Highlights: · Why trusting your instincts and asking more questions can change the course of your care. · How to navigate the fear, uncertainty, and emotional weight that often follows a cancer diagnosis. · The role integrative therapies can play alongside medical treatment during recovery. · What it looks like to find purpose and meaning after a life-changing health crisis. · How friends, family, and caregivers can show up in ways that truly help someone facing cancer. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org [https://www.cancare.org] Sarah McDonald – www.sarahemcdonald.com [https://www.sarahemcdonald.com] About the Guest: Sarah McDonald is a two-time cancer survivor, executive coach, and fierce advocate for those navigating life's hardest seasons. Diagnosed simultaneously with a rare salivary gland cancer and Stage III Breast Cancer, Sarah faced the unimaginable and came out the other side with a mission. She is the author of "The Cancer Channel" and "The Cancer Companion," a TED Talk speaker, a champion for Cycle for Survival with Memorial Sloan Kettering, and a coach who brings decades of executive leadership experience to her work. Sarah continues to use her voice to help others move forward. Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook [https://cancare.org/hopebook]. About Our Host: Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. https://www.cancare.org/ [https://www.cancare.org/] https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc [https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc] https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc [https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc] Thanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook [https://www.cancare.org/hopebook].

A Tribute to Johnny

What does it mean when a stranger who understands your cancer journey becomes family? Stephen, a brain cancer survivor, and his husband and caregiver, Calvin, share a deeply moving story about diagnosis, fear, friendship, and the unexpected gift of human connection. After Stephen experienced a seizure at work, doctors discovered a brain tumor that changed the course of their lives. Through the support of family, coworkers, faith, and the CanCare community, Stephen was matched with Johnny, a fellow brain cancer survivor who quickly became far more than a mentor. What started as peer support turned into a daily brotherhood built on honesty, humor, and shared understanding. Johnny helped Stephen see himself as a survivor and reminded him that life was still meant to be lived fully. Calvin opens up about the caregiver role, the helplessness that can come with it, and how Johnny filled a gap no medical treatment could reach. Together, they reflect on grief, resilience, and the kind of connection that leaves a permanent mark on your life. This conversation is a tribute to Johnny’s legacy and a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, people can show up with extraordinary love, hope, and compassion. Highlights: · Discover how shared lived experience can create healing in ways medical care alone cannot. · Learn why caregivers often carry emotions differently while still becoming a steady source of strength. · Hear how humor, honesty, and everyday conversations became part of surviving brain cancer. · Explore how support systems from family, coworkers, faith, and community can shape recovery and resilience. · Understand why opening yourself to connection during hardship can change the entire cancer journey. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org [www.cancare.org] About the Guest: Stephen Hudson is a brain cancer survivor, devoted husband, and living testament to the power of human connection. When his diagnosis turned his world upside down, he leaned on his faith, his family, and ultimately a friendship that would change his life. Through CanCare, Stephen was matched with volunteer Johnny Parry, a fellow survivor who walked beside him with understanding, steadiness, and a brotherhood that became one of the most meaningful relationships of his journey. Sadly, Johnny passed away late last year. Stephen made the courageous choice to continue with this episode to honor Johnny's life and legacy. Calvin, Stephen's husband and caregiver, has been present through every moment of this journey and is here to share his heart as well. Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook [https://cancare.org/hopebook]. About Our Host: Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. https://www.cancare.org/ [https://www.cancare.org/] https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc [https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc] https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc [https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc] Thanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook [https://www.cancare.org/hopebook].