Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Nicole Bass, whose 18-year-old son Cody was diagnosed with ALK-positive rearranged renal cell carcinoma in 2022. Cody’s biggest concern through this whole journey was bowling. He’s on the bowling team for his high school and this year he was inducted into his school’s hall of fame for bowling. The kids are calling him a…

By D’Ann George, PhD, Medical Writer For ten years, Dr. Jose Karam, a urologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, looked forward to receiving Paul Laudadio’s Christmas card. Though many expressions of gratitude decorated his office – letters, drawings, watercolors, and even a purple kidney-shaped stuffie – Laudadio’s card stood out. The multi-fold design featured all 35 members of his former…

This is a guest post by Annamarya Scaccia, a KCA Ambassador. Annamarya was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2020. She is a certified fitness and nutrition coach who helps kidney cancer survivors optimize their performance without sacrificing their health. Header photo courtesy of Carlos J. Gallegos. https://www.kidneycancer.org/stories/the-one-kidney-bodybuilder/ I didn’t know it at the time, but when I was diagnosed with…

Annamarya Scaccia, photo courtesy Carlos J Gallegos. Kate Zalewski, RDN, CSR, LDN is an experienced renal dietitian who owns a virtual private practice primarily helping people with chronic kidney disease delay or avoid dialysis. KCA Ambassador Annamarya Scaccia spoke with her about misconceptions around nutrition and kidney health, eating to build muscle, and how to protect your kidneys while pursuing…

This is a guest post by Alexander Hutchison, PhD, who’s father-in-law was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Hutchison is a fitness expert and the senior editor of the scientific journal Advanced Biology & Aging Cell. In 2013, my father-in-law, John Carrillo, was diagnosed with non-clear cell renal carcinoma. Shortly thereafter, his kidney was removed, and he spent the next 5 years…

This is a guest post by Hector Perez, a KCA Ambassador. Hector was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2006. After my kidney cancer diagnosis, I didn’t change any of my fitness or nutrition habits. I lived a completely normal life, and it was not usual for me to exercise. At that time, I didn't care so much about my health.…

By D’Ann George, PhD, Medical Writer While Chris Jonas grappled with the discovery of new tumors from her kidney cancer, Hurricane Florence was flinging its fury at her hometown of Morehead City near the coast of North Carolina. Chris Jonas with her granddaughter and Yorkshire terrier. “I actually felt a tumor in my neck. I felt it growing. I was…

This is a guest post by Hector Perez, a KCA Ambassador. It’s been 12 years since I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). There are still several nodules; however, they are under control and to this day I continue to lead a normal life and work. Right now, I am on Cabometyx 20 mg, but it took a long…

This is a guest post by Frances Mora, 39. Frances lives in Miami. We are quickly approaching the one-year mark, when I received the shock of a lifetime. I had just given birth to my son and I was trying to get back on track with my fitness journey. After a friend told me about wood therapy and how it…

This is a guest post by Rachel O'Leary. Rachel O'Leary frosts bundt cakes for her Kidney Cancer Awareness Month fundraiser. In March of 2022 I was going to see my orthopedist for chronic lower back pain that I had been having on my right side. This is pain I had been experiencing for about six months at this point, but…