Blog

There are so many unknowns, considerations, and decisions to be made when living with kidney cancer. At the very least, people might feel overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted.  That is what I am here to alleviate! As the Patient Liaison with the KCA’s Patient Navigator Program, my goal is to reduce the stressors that negatively impact your quality of life and…

Dr. Tessa Churchill is a member of the KCA's Board of Directors and currently works as a Resident in Anesthesiology at The Feinberg School of Medicine. We spoke with Dr. Churchill about serving on the Board and her work in medicine. What motivated you to get involved with the Kidney Cancer Association?As a physician, I frequently see how kidney cancer affects…

Dr. Walter Stadler currently works at the University of Chicago Medical Center and is a member of the KCA's Medical Steering Committee, which provides strategic guidance to the KCA on medical and patient education programs. We spoke with Dr. Stadler about his work with the KCA and with patients. How long have you been working with the KCA and what…

Coach Sydney Acosta has a track record of winning. As the Athletic Director and tennis coach at Assumption Parish High School in Napoleonville, Louisiana, Sydney, 56, led the tennis teams to over 1,000 winning games over his 33-year career. When he was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2010, his community came together to help him triumph. Since 2011, the school…

David Perry Esq. is a member of the KCA's Board of Directors and is currently retired. We spoke with David about what motivated him to join our Board of Directors.  What motivated you to get involved with the Kidney Cancer Association?  I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1995 at age 45. Through my involvement with UC Irvine, I was encouraged…

Lisa Alderson is a member of the KCA's Board of Directors, as well as, Co-Founder and CEO of Genome Medical, Inc. We spoke with Lisa about what motivated her to join our Board of Directors.  What motivated you to get involved with the Kidney Cancer Association?I have had many friends and family members personally impacted by cancer at an early age. …

Susan Hill and her husband, Bruce, had always been very active. When her healthy husband found it difficult to keep up with their kids on a hiking trip, Susan suggested he see a doctor. An ultrasound and a CT scan revealed that Bruce had a mass on his right kidney and small nodes on his lungs. Surgery quickly followed to…

HOUSTON – July 30, 2020 – The Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) launched three new programs today to support and educate kidney cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The Just Diagnosed Toolkit, the Patient Navigator Program, and a kidney cancer-focused certified medical education (CME) program further the KCA’s mission to serve and educate the kidney cancer community through high-quality programs. Just…

Nancy Ainslie, RN is a member of the KCA's Clinical Advisory Board and is retired from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center after 30 years. We spoke to Nancy about her work with the KCA and in medicine. How long have you been working with the KCA and what motivated you to get involved? I have been working…

Bruce Hill and his family are avid hikers, so when he started having trouble keeping up with his kids on the trails, his wife Susan encouraged him to see a doctor. Bruce and Susan Hill with their children. “I was pale, my strength was pretty much shot. I felt run down and tired, I’d need naps and coffee in the…