Newly Diagnosed & Trailblazing: An Interview with Michelle Anderson-Benjamin
In this episode, Our MBC Life sits down with patient and advocate Michelle Anderson-Benjamin, founder of The Fearless Warrior Project. During the pandemic, Michelle was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and then with metastatic breast cancer shortly after she completed initial treatment. An experienced healthcare professional, a mom of two kids, and a wife who poured all her energy into others, Michelle says the diagnosis of MBC put a "battery in her back" to refocus attention on herself. This candid conversation has a lot to offer those newly diagnosed with MBC, and will inspire all of us.
November Trailblazer and A Dash of Joy
The Season of Giving is upon us. Purely by chance, we may be starting a new tradition here on the Trailblazer series - guests bearing gifts. This gift will be symbolically unwrapped during this interview with this month’s Trailblazer - national nonprofit United for HER and Susan Weldon, Founder and CEO.
Facing Mortality
Welcome to a special episode of our podcast. In April of 2021 a prominent clinical psychologist Dr Anne Kane joined SHARE’s Program Project Manager Deb Hackenberry in a discussion about the implications of facing mortality while also living as Dr Kane puts it as fully, richly, and deeply as possible. This episode is an audio version of the webinar about a very real, yet seldomly discussed issue.
The Magic of Palliative Care: Our Stories
Want to know why we call it “magic?” Hear from people living with MBC about their experiences. While they all agree and encourage others to seek Palliative Care they also are aware of the barriers to access. Our guests cover it all. And it gets real.
The Magic of Palliative Care -Patients and Their Providers
This month we have focused on quality-of-life issues and this episode is part one of a two part series on the “Magic of Palliative Care”. At times the term “palliative care” is misunderstood and so we also use the newer term ‘supportive care’ to better explain how this care supports your quality of life as you go through MBC treatment. We first turn our focus to the medical providers who help us manage symptoms and treatment side effects and, by doing so, improve multiple aspects of our lives.
Introducing the BECOME Project & Survey
The MBC Alliance asks the question “How can we ensure Black people are better represented in cancer research? Finding the answer starts with patient voices.” The BECOME Project is positioned to do just that. BECOME project lead Stephanie Walker and committee member Sheila Fuhs join Lisa Laudico to talk about the important initiative and how YOU can get involved.
The Healing Power of Writing - Live Readings
In this special bonus episode we bring to life some of the readings from the Wildfire Community. Several writers living with MBC voice their own work to share thoughts on nature, dating, grief and so much more. Thanks to April Stearns and Wildfire for making these available for us to share.
The Healing Power of Writing
We’ve talked about many MBC related topics this season but mental health is one we ask about in every interview we conduct. Writing as a self-care tool is one we wanted to explore. April Stearns talked about it as the “legacy of story.” On this episode we explore living with MBC and the healing power of writing.
April Trailblazer & Dash of Joy
Welcome to the Episode 2 of the Trailblazer series. Have you ever asked yourself if Wonder Woman was real? Ask no more. She lives and her name is Jamil Rivers. She is also our Trailblazer of the Month. Jamil was diagnosed with MBC at age 39. She is a mother of three, a caregiver, a full-time CEO of a non-profit organization , the board president of METAvivor and if that’s not enough, she has recently embarked on a new venture—The Chrysalis Initiative, a project dedicated to eliminating disparities in outcomes for Black women with breast cancer. Also in this episode is a Dash of Joy from Our MBC Life’s own Dar Finkelstein. Dar is committed to living a life of joy and she shows us all how to do it. An episode full or hope, inspiration and joy.
Policy and the Power of Patient Advocacy
“I see so much in the metastatic community this idea of just paying it forward, this idea of, yeah, this might not actually help me right now, but I'm still going to bring it up and I'm still going to advocate for it because it will help somebody else.” This is the story about the power of advocacy. Meet some of the individuals and organizations who are advocating for metastatic breast cancer every day wherever the work takes them.
Clinical Trials: The Patient Perspective Part 2
We know the challenges of trials and the barriers to recruitment as outlined in part 1. Now in Part 2 we explore solutions with patient advocates and medical professionals who are working to find ways forward. Clinical Trials from a Patient Perspective Part II. Let’s solve this.
Trailblazer and Dash of Joy
Our first season 2 trailblazer focuses on the patient - providing them with free services that enable them to focus on healing and time with their families. Through their Thriver Fund, 305 Pink Pack also provides dedicated to support to those living with metastatic breast cancer. Meet Rosemary Carrera of 305 Pink Pack and come south with us to Miami. Also in this episode is a Dash of Joy from Our MBC Life’s own Dar Finkelstein. Dar is committed to living a life of joy and she shows us all how to do it. An episode full or hope, inspiration and joy.
Clinical Trials: The Patient Perspective Part 1
What’s it like to try and find a trial as a patient? What are the challenges and hurdles that have to be overcome? How do we get to a better place? In this episode we hear the perspective of patients and then go to the experts to get some answers. Part 1 of a 2 part series on Clinical Trials.
Parenting while Living with MBC
We dedicate this podcast on Parenting while Living with MBC to Heidi Armitage Green. Heidi’s son Walker shares his experience before and after she died. We also hear from Natalia Green and others on how they talk with their children about their metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Learn about resources you can use for your own converations.
We Remember
Join us for a very special episode as "We Remember". Listeners join our hosts and podcast team in sharing remembrances of friends and loved ones who, due to MBC, are no longer with us.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry, the Chief Scientific Officer for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) joins host Lisa Laudico to talk about the many exciting MBC research initiatives that BCRF is undertaking. Dr. El-Ashry provides an excellent overview of the bright spots and the challenges in MBC research. She has a personal connection to MBC and discusses her own research.
Metavivor and #LightupMBC
Jamil Rivers, the new President of Metavivor, joins the pod to talk about research, health disparities, self-care, and what she sees ahead for the organization. And Laura Inahara shares the story of her best friend Jess Moore and the #LightUpMBC campaign that honors her.