WE GOT THIS

You Don’t Face Hard Things Alone

How do you keep showing up when life changes completely? In this episode of WE GOT THIS, Elissa Kalver speaks with former Marine and advocate Jake Messier about living with stage 4 metastatic male breast cancer and using his experience to raise awareness for others. Jake shares what strength, vulnerability, and resilience look like in real life, especially when navigating uncertainty and advocating for a disease many people overlook. This is a conversation about courage, community, and continuing forward one day at a time. Follow WE GOT THIS for more honest conversations about navigating life’s hardest moments together. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Finding Joy in the Middle of It

What does it look like to keep showing up for your life while you’re still in treatment? In this episode of the WE GOT THIS podcast, Elissa sits down with Broadway performer and cancer thriver Kara Lindsay. Since her diagnosis in October 2024, Kara has been navigating treatment while continuing to show up as a mom, a wife, and an artist. This conversation is about what it actually looks like to live in the middle of it. Holding fear and joy at the same time. Staying connected to who you are while everything feels uncertain. And finding moments of light, even on the hardest days. At WE GOT THIS, we believe stories like Kara’s help people feel less alone and more understood in their own experience. About Kara Lindsay: Kara Lindsay is a Broadway performer known for her roles as Glinda in Wicked, Cynthia Weil in Beautiful, and Katherine Plumber in the original Broadway cast of Newsies. Her work spans Broadway, national tours, television, and film, including appearances on Murphy Brown, ABC’s Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary Singalong, and The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II. She holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University. Kara was diagnosed with cancer in October 2024 and is currently in treatment, continuing to navigate life as a mother, wife, and artist. Follow Kara: @karalindsay1 Kara Lindsay & Elissa Kalver are joining forces for We Got This — a benefit concert of song and stories supporting the cancer community. All proceeds benefit WeGotThis.org, the first ever cancer registry founded by Elissa Kalver to support patients through every step of their journey. 🎭🤍 Tickets available here: https://thegreenroom42.venuetix.com/showdetails/PeC32qpJ4XcgHxHZLDgV/Q5daoXFDqqMgXGd2gy9t In this episode, we talk about: • Living in treatment, not just after it • Balancing motherhood, marriage, and a creative career during cancer • Holding onto identity when everything shifts • Finding moments of joy in the middle of uncertainty • The role of community in getting through hard seasons Watch the full episode on YouTube Subscribe for more conversations with thrivers, experts, and advocates. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Blood Cancer Support, Financial Help & Patient Resources with Sarah Clark of Blood Cancer United

In this episode of WE GOT THIS, Elissa Kalver sits down with Sarah Clark, Executive Director of Blood Cancer United – Greater Los Angeles (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), for a powerful conversation about what real cancer support can look like for patients and caregivers. Sarah shares how her personal connection to blood cancer led her into nonprofit work, and how Blood Cancer United helps people navigate cancer through patient education, financial support, clinical trial guidance, nutrition support, and one-on-one connection programs. Together, Elissa and Sarah talk about the very real gaps patients face after diagnosis — from medical debt and treatment logistics to caregiver access and the emotional weight of trying to do it all alone. They also dive into why collaboration between cancer organizations matters, how support systems can change outcomes, and why no one should have to navigate cancer without resources or community. This episode is an important listen for anyone facing cancer, supporting a loved one, or looking for trusted cancer resources that go beyond the basics. IN THIS EPISODE, THEY DISCUSS: * What Blood Cancer United offers for patients and caregivers * How the organization’s Information Resource Center supports people in real time * Financial assistance options, including copay help, hardship support, travel assistance, and medical debt counseling * Nutrition support and why some services are available beyond blood cancers * The power of peer support through programs like First Connection * Why patients often miss out on free resources simply because they do not know they exist * How WE GOT THIS and other nonprofit organizations can work together to better support the cancer community * The importance of community, advocacy, and connection during diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship * Why caregiver support remains one of the biggest unmet needs in cancer care ABOUT SARAH CLARK Sarah Clark is the Executive Director of Blood Cancer United – Greater Los Angeles and has spent more than 15 years serving the blood cancer community in a variety of roles. With a strong background in fundraising, community engagement, and patient support, Sarah is passionate about connecting patients and families with the resources they need most. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by family experiences with leukemia and a long-standing commitment to helping no one face cancer alone. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Blood Cancer United * https://bloodcancerunited.org/ * Blood Cancer United Information Resource Center * https://bloodcancerunited.org/resources/patients * WE GOT THIS Resource Directory at wegotthis.org [http://wegotthis.org] * https://wegotthis.org/collections/resources * Support for blood cancer patients, caregivers, nutrition guidance, financial assistance, and medical debt counseling * Hotline: Call an Information Specialist Highly trained oncology social workers and nurses. +1-800-955-4572 (Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET) ABOUT WE GOT THIS WE GOT THIS exists to make navigating cancer a little less overwhelming — and a lot more supported. In addition to the podcast, WE GOT THIS offers free resources for the cancer community, including: * A Free Gift Registry * A Recommendations Shop with vetted products for cancer patients and caregivers * A Free Resources Directory with trusted organizations, support services, and education Explore everything at wegotthis.org CONNECT Follow WE GOT THIS on social: @wegotthisorg Follow Blood Cancer United on social: @bloodcancerunited ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Power of Connection in Cancer Care | Kenny Perkins, All Talk Oncology

Facing cancer can feel isolating, overwhelming, and filled with uncertainty — but no one should have to navigate that journey alone. In this episode of WE GOT THIS, host Elissa Kalver sits down with Kenny Perkins, widely known as Your Cancer Guy and founder of All Talk Oncology. For over two decades, Kenny has dedicated his life to empowering cancer patients and their families through open conversations, connection, and personalized support. Drawing from both professional experience and his own personal journey with cancer, Kenny works to ensure that no patient or loved one feels alone while navigating diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Through his platform, All Talk Oncology, Kenny helps cancer fighters build resilience, challenge limiting beliefs, and create strong support systems that make a meaningful difference during the healing process. In this conversation, Elissa and Kenny explore: • Why connection and honest conversation matter in cancer care • The emotional realities patients and caregivers often face • How strong support systems help people navigate diagnosis and treatment • The role of mindset, resilience, and community in the cancer journey • Why meaningful dialogue can help break down fear and isolation Kenny also shares the mission behind All Talk Oncology and how he has helped thousands of cancer fighters feel supported, heard, and empowered throughout their journey. This episode is designed for cancer thrivers, caregivers, and anyone supporting someone through cancer who wants to better understand the importance of connection, advocacy, and community in the healing process. 🎧 WE GOT THIS is a free resource bringing expert insight and meaningful conversations to the cancer community — without the copay. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Cancer Genetics, Genetic Testing & Risk: Making DNA Education Accessible with Dena DNA

Ep. 2 On this episode of WE GOT THIS, host Elissa Kalver sits down with Dena Goldberg, MS, CGC — widely known as Dena DNA — to break down cancer genetics, genetic risk, and why access to genetic testing should be clearer, more inclusive, and easier to understand. Dena is a board-certified genetic counselor, science communicator, and healthcare thought leader dedicated to making complex genetics approachable and empowering. Formerly the Endowed Counselor of Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention at UCSF, she now runs a media brand focused on normalizing genetic education and proactive health decision-making. In this conversation, Elissa and Dena explore: * What cancer genetics actually means — and what it doesn’t * How genetic variants influence cancer risk without determining outcomes * Who genetic testing is for (and why outdated criteria limit access) * The role of preventive and proactive genetic testing * Why education — not fear — should guide health decisions * How storytelling and media help people understand their DNA without overwhelm Dena also shares how her personal experiences as a patient, sibling, IVF patient, and parent shape her mission to humanize genetic counseling and advocate for better access to testing and care. This episode is designed for cancer thrivers, caregivers, and anyone curious about genetic testing, hereditary cancer risk, and proactive health — delivered with clarity, compassion, and expert-backed insight. 🎧 The WE GOT THIS podcast is a free resource created to make expert conversations accessible — without the copay. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.