Patient Stories

Cassy Shives This is a guest post by Cassy Shives, 43, who was diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell renal cell carcinoma in 2023. She lives with her family in Ohio. My story is not just a story about cancer. It is a story about a mother, a wife, a grandmother, a healthcare worker, and a woman who refused to…

Dolph Lundgren, who played the chiseled and bloodless Swedish antagonist to Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa in the 1985 boxing drama Rocky IV, was recently featured in Forbes discussing his journey overcoming a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2015. Lundgren, 68, is currently a Member Emeritus of the Kidney Cancer Association's Board of Directors. Dolph Lundgren Opens Up About His Kidney Cancer…

Eva Bustamante, the "Glitter Queen". This is a guest post by Eva Bustamante, 40, who was recently diagnosed with high-grade renal cell carcinoma. Eva is a balloon artist, glitter artist, and salsa dancer. Bringing joy to others through creativity has always been a huge part of who she is and even during this journey, she tries to keep sharing light,…

A kidney cancer diagnosis can impact more than your physical health—it can affect your emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. A kidney cancer…

Whether you're thinking about starting a family, expecting a child, or already navigating the challenges of parenthood, a kidney cancer diagnosis can bring a whole new set of questions. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to…

Advocacy and awareness play a critical role in improving the lives of people affected by kidney cancer. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, covers these issues through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. We gathered some of the…

Life after a kidney cancer diagnosis can bring new opportunities, challenges, and questions about long-term health and well-being. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. Here we present the essential…

A kidney cancer diagnosis affects more than the person receiving treatment—it impacts family members, caregivers, and loved ones as well. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. This "Caregiving &…

Relationships can often change after a cancer diagnosis, bringing new challenges and opportunities for connection. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. We've collected the best podcast episodes on this…

A kidney cancer diagnosis can impact more than your physical health—it can affect your emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life. Our podcast, Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, addresses these through candid conversations with people across the spectrum of kidney cancer, from families navigating a diagnosis to doctors who treat patients every day to researchers on the frontlines of discovery. This "Mental Health…