Navigating Childhood Cancer Podcast

Avsnitt

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  Episode 25 - My Conversation with Dr. Matthew Seftel of Canadian Blood Services 23.07.2026 1h 2min

  In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Seftel, Medical Director of the Stem Cell Program at Canadian Blood Services. At this moment, there are patients in need of a stem cell transplant. For many, finding a matching donor is their greatest challenge. The Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry recruits volunteer donors who can provide stem cells to patients in need. Dr. Seftel explains what stem cell transplants are, why patients may need them, who is eligible to join the registry, and...
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  Episode 24 - My Conversation with Ambika 16.03.2026 1h 14min

  In this episode, I share my conversation with Ambika. Ambika is the mother of Arya, who was 5 in 2024 when he was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Ambika and her husband Abhinav reached out to me because they hoped to share their family’s story and wanted the opportunity to talk about all the ways their child’s cancer impacted their family. Ambika discusses the unique way her family rallied to support her and her husband while they shared the caregiving responsibiliti...
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  Episode 23 - My Conversation with Zack Sandor-Kerr 15.07.2025 1h 25min

  In this episode, I share my conversation with Zack Sandor-Kerr. Zach is the father of 3 boys, including 10 year old Jasper, who was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2023. Zack tells us about his experience as a Dad, who has been the primary caregiver for his child throughout his treatment, and what that has been like for him, and his wife Kaitlin. He rightfully raises the issue of inclusive care in both the hospital environment, and in our communities. His perspective is both considerate of...
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  Episode 22 - My Conversation with Alexx Friesen 28.11.2024 58min

  In this episode, I’m sharing my conversation with Alexx Friesen. Alexx is a Child Life Specialist who works in Toronto. She has worked with families in hospital settings, as well as in hospice and palliative care. She also has experience in oncology, both as a professional, as well as a patient. She herself is a childhood cancer survivor. Her experience as a patient when she was a child led her to this career and it gives her such a unique perspective and skill set to work with families in th...
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  Episode 21 - My Conversation with Michelle Da Costa 30.10.2024 1h 9min

  In this episode, I share my conversation with Michelle Da Costa. Michelle is the mother of three girls. Her youngest daughter is a childhood cancer survivor. Michelle is also a Parent Liaison with @OPACC Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer. I had the fortune of meeting Michelle at a parent drop-in while my own child was in treatment, and our conversation had a deep impact on me. Michelle tells the story of her daughter's experience with cancer, and how it inspired her to...
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  Episode 20 - My Conversation with Make-A-Wish Canada 18.09.2024 37min

  In today's episode, I am speaking with two representatives from Make-A-Wish® Canada. You are very likely familiar with Make-A-Wish Canada. This is the charitable organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. But you may not be aware of some of the interesting facts about Make-A-Wish Canada that I learned from this conversation: In 2023, Make-A-Wish Canada brought wishes to 1,389 wish kids and their families across Canada. A wish might be a chance to tra...
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  Episode 19 - My Conversation with Jessica Hill 16.07.2024 54min

  In this episode, I have the honour of sharing my conversation with Jessica Hill. I first learned of Jessica, and her daughter Addy, in September of 2023, when Sick Kids Hospital posted a story about a new initiative called Precision Child Health. The post featured an enormous crystal ball that was filled with colourful mist. At the unveiling, beside the crystal ball, stood a family who spoke about the young teen who inspired the campaign. That teen was Addison Hill, or Addy, as she is a...
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  Episode 18 - My Conversation with Daniel Stolfi 16.02.2024 1h 15min

  In this episode, we hear the story of actor and comedian Daniel Stolfi. Daniel was diagnosed with Lymphoma when he was 25 years old. Like every cancer warrior, Daniel’s story is remarkable. He kept a journal throughout his treatment, and before his treatment was even over, he wrote and performed an award-winning one-man comedy show called Cancer Can’t Dance Like This. It was met with rave reviews! He has performed this show at venues across North America, and in the process, he has raised mor...
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  Episode 17 - Campfire Circle 29.01.2024 55min

  In this episode, I am thrilled to share my conversation with Jenny Edmonds, Director of In-Hospital & Community Programs with Campfire Circle. Campfire Circle is a privately funded charity in Ontario that brings laughter and joy to kids and families affected by childhood cancer. Campfire Circle is passionate about helping kids to just be kids. These are the cheerful folks who visit your hospital room to play a song on the ukulele, to play a boardgame with your child. They coordinate...
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  Episode 16 - My Conversation with Nicole Raso 21.12.2023 1h 11min

  In this episode, we hear the story of Nicole Raso. Nicole is the mother of 5 year old Luca, who recently completed his treatment for a Wilms tumour, which was found on his kidney in August 2022. Nicole tells us about how she discovered that her son was sick, and the arduous journey that she and her family travelled in order to bring him back to health. Nicole also explains why she started her Instagram page @donate4kids. Her mission is to spread awareness about childhood cancer, to shar...
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  Episode 15 - What Matters 29.11.2023 29min

  When we undergo a major crisis in our lives, we sometimes experience an epiphany about what actually matters. In some cases, we are changed for the better. Heather feels that she has had the opportunity to learn some very important lessons during her brush with childhood cancer, and shares them in this episode. Note from Heather - I accidentally skipped #5! I want to fix it, but I just don’t have time. Also, I’m happy with the flow of the episode, so I’m leaving it as is. In the spirit ...
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  Episode 14 - End of Treatment 16.11.2023 42min

  In this episode, Heather shares her family’s experience arriving at the end of treatment, 2.5 years after her child received a diagnosis of Leukemia B-ALL. She details the various steps that brought her family to that final moment, how they celebrated the occasion, and how they are looking ahead to life after cancer.
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  Episode 13 - My Conversation with Sarah DeMelo 01.11.2023 1h 54min

  In this episode, we hear the story of Sarah DeMelo. Sarah is the mother of a young family that includes 4 year old Benjamin, who has spent the last year and a half in treatment for Leukemia. Sarah shares the story of Benjamin’s illness, and his path to recovery. She also shares an important reminder of how important it is to advocate for our children, and for ourselves. Sarah herself is a warrior, and she tells the remarkable story about her own battle with a rare form of cancer. Sarah’...
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  Episode 12 - My Conversation with Susan Kuczynski, Lead Parent Liaison with OPACC 13.10.2023 59min

  In this episode, I am pleased to bring you my conversation with Susan Kuczynski – Lead Parent Liaison with Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer, also known as OPACC. OPACC is a registered charity whose mission is to be the parent voice for families with children diagnosed with cancer across Ontario, Canada. OPACC helps families through free programs and support services including in-hospital and virtual peer support, financial support, and community support. Susan is a p...
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  Episode 11 - Thoughts on Age and Activities for the Hospital Bed 28.09.2023 38min

  In this episode, Heather ponders whether it is harder to have a young child, or an older child in treatment. Each scenario comes with its own unique set of challenges, and both are hard. She also shares a long list of fun things to do to pass the time with your child (no matter what age or stage of treatment) while staying in the hospital… plus one activity that can only be done at home.
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  Episode 10 - Back to School and Cancer Stats 14.09.2023 21min

  At this time of year, many of us are getting back into the routine of being back at school. However, not everyone gets to return to the classroom, particularly those kids who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Heather talks about some of the things that parents need to consider when preparing for the start of the school year. Also, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Heather talks about what it is like to hear all of the messaging around this occasion. She'd like to know ho...
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  Episode 9 - My Conversation with Zach Round 31.08.2023 1h 12min

  In this episode, we hear the story of Zach Round, a brain tumour survivor and childhood cancer advocate. Zach was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 17 years old. He shares the details about the different complications he encountered during treatment, how he made it through the experience, as well as what helped him go on to play college football, and to return to extreme mountain biking. Zach also explains how he became involved in different charities to raise funds and awareness for ...
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  Episode 8 - Some Updates and a Fun Story 17.08.2023 14min

  In this episode, I share an update on some of the ‘lasts’ that we are experiencing as we approach the end of my child’s treatment. I have a sweet song recommendation from Susanne, my guest in episode 7, and a funny story about something that happened in the waiting room at the hospital last week. For a podcast that is about such a heavy topic, this is a nice, light episode.
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  Episode 7 - My Conversation with Susanne 03.08.2023 1h 17min

  In this episode, we hear the story of Susanne and her family. Susanne is the mother of a young boy named Frankie. Frankie was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2012 when he was just 2 years old. At that time, the treatment protocol for pediatric Leukemia was 4 years, so Susanne and her husband spent 4 years supporting their son while he received treatment. Happily, Frankie is now a healthy 13 year old boy. I am thrilled that they agreed to share their story on our podcast.
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  Episode 6 - Fevers 20.07.2023 21min

  Fevers are a very real part of life for a child with Leukemia. When a child who is undergoing treatment gets a fever, it is actually a medical emergency. That child may not be able to fight the infection that is causing the fever. If it is not treated immediately, it can become serious or even life-threatening. In this episode, we talk about what it was like to discover a child’s fever, and how we responded. I also share my tips for how to ensure that you are ready if/when the first fever hap...