Young & Navigating Breast Cancer Together

Young & Navigating Breast Cancer Together - Episode 4: Bright Spot Network

In this episode, Katie and Katrina talk with Carissa from Bright Spot Network [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJQHoZ1ma$] about the challenges navigating a cancer diagnosis when you have young children. Bright Spot offers free resources [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/services__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJZaL2l23$] for parents and guardians of young children who are on their cancer journey, including those diagnosed during pregnancy. Carissa highlights programs such as Virtual Support Groups and Meet-Ups [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/support-groups__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJSgvdNBB$] for parents and supportive partners [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/support-groups/virtual-support-group-for-partners__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJZSaNOwz$], and kid-focused resources like Bright Club & Bright Circle [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/bright-club-and-bright-circle__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJdqOVFEg$], the Teddy Bear Clinic [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/teddybearclinic__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJbl8cBUH$], and Bright Reads [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/bright-reads__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJejzFmXi$]. Carissa emphasizes that kids do better and worry less when they know what is going on. Bright Spot Network has resources to assist with talking about cancer [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.brightspotnetwork.org/resource-center/talking-to-kids-about-cancer__;!!HJQ3hyyK!lkY54qe5ltMEH7Orz0Sw12zcYBkJvC5dEpsmdAuVPFjK2Om_7VGrHFwYOZpBx16AMGCc-6nb_AmYgE8jJVEtDYwl$] in simple and age-appropriate way so kids can understand how things will change. For resources and additional information for young adults with breast cancer, visit the Program for Breast Cancer in Young Adult's website here [https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-adults]. Personal stories are shared for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Young & Navigating Breast Cancer Together - Episode 3: Young Survival Coalition

In this episode, we sit down with Brooks Fuentes from the Young Survival Coalition [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxMSL-HAe$] (YSC [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxMSL-HAe$]) to explore what young breast cancer survivors face—from body image and dating [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/sex-and-intimacy__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxCk31DZ3$] after mastectomy to early menopause [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/early-menopause__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxPRLyTNx$], fertility concerns [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/fertility-and-family-planning__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxFJ837VI$], and financial [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/financial-assistance__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxL3iSHbC$] stress. YSC offers powerful, free resources including summits [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/summit.youngsurvival.org/?_gl=1*2Aqskabc*2A_gcl_au*2AMTQ2MzU3MTczMy4xNzc1NTY5MTM5__;JSUl!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxFYy-yZE$], wellness summits [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/wellness.youngsurvival.org/?_gl=1*2Aoyrqov*2A_gcl_au*2AOTkwNjAyODI5LjE3NzU1NjA1Mzg.__;JSUl!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxCj4KCOh$], identity‑affirming support groups [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/virtual-hangouts__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxA64hvi1$], Spanish‑language programs, [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/en-espanol__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxA7ZfxtL$] and caregiver support [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/co-survivors__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxLk9ukn4$]. If you or someone you love is navigating breast cancer at 40 years old and younger, this episode is for you. Learn more at youngsurvival.org [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/youngsurvival.org/__;!!HJQ3hyyK!hF161rO2URhrb3DhpSgbaO27KklHDk0ohMDeMb6xKbyH_849W4zwy5OX_pjI8bujl6jl6t5TSLpKU-MrxMSL-HAe$]. Personal stories are shared for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Young & Navigating Breast Cancer Together - Episode 2: Living Beyond Breast Cancer

In this episode, we spotlight Living Beyond Breast Cancer [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/about-breast-cancer/family-relationships/parenting/books-kids__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpg_QnedR$] (LBBC [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNprK5oMth$]), a national nonprofit providing trusted information and a strong community of support. Listeners will learn about upcoming conferences [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/community/events__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpr5ppUbW$], the Reading for Reassurance book collection [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/about-breast-cancer/family-relationships/parenting/books-kids__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpg_QnedR$] for families with children ages 4-17, and the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Fund [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/about-us/what-we-do/lbbc-fund__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpiLYhqoe$], which offers financial assistance and referrals [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/financial-help-resources__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpkaBZtHj$] during treatment. We also highlight LBBC's leadership and volunteer advocacy trainings [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/get-involved/volunteer/programs__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpogg9flh$], along with the Breast Cancer Helpline [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/community/breast-cancer-helpline/peer-match__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpoRbOKNh$] (1‑888‑753‑5222), which connects callers with trained volunteers for peer support [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/community/breast-cancer-helpline/peer-match__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpoRbOKNh$], emotional guidance, and real‑world insight. Together, these programs offer hope, resources [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/community/breast-cancer-resources__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNprlA3rDA$], and meaningful connection [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.lbbc.org/about-breast-cancer/emotional-health/online-breast-cancer-support-groups__;!!HJQ3hyyK!ga5UTAG3HadUKYGWaeLMAy4yF97lYe7P_faNnvkLT16NRdOEvycUlK4RCF4DSui6fixMiPXmYpBqgVjNpq5OGl9-$] so no one faces breast cancer alone. For resources and additional information for young adults with breast cancer, visit the Program for Breast Cancer in Young Adult's website here [https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-adults]. Personal stories are shared for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Young & Navigating Breast Cancer Together - Katie & Katrina's Stories

For our first episode we're introducing our hosts, Katie, and Katrina, two women sharing their journeys with breast cancer and being diagnosed as young women: Katie was diagnosed at 39 and has been living with stage 4 metastatic triple‑positive breast cancer for nine years. While cancer shapes her life, she refuses to let it define her. Katrina was diagnosed with stage 3 HER2‑positive breast cancer at 30. After moving through aggressive treatment, participating in a clinical trial, and confronting medical mistrust, she embraced a "new normal." Together, Katie and Katrina create a space of honesty, strength, and encouragement—reminding listeners that hope exists in community, in research, in science, and in the stories of others. Their message is clear: move past fear, pursue screenings, seek treatment, and know you're not alone. For resources and additional information for young adults with breast cancer, visit the Program for Breast Cancer in Young Adult's website here [https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/cancer/breast-cancer-in-young-adults]. Personal stories are shared for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice.