Patient Stories

Ashley runs for “Redz”, her punk rock dad

Donor Story, Patient Stories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FCPnYXprtA Gears song "Don't Be Afraid to Pogo" off their 1980 studio album is also the name of their 2015 feature length documentary telling the story of the band. In Ashley Anderson’s home, punk rock was the soundtrack of family life. That was thanks to Ashley’s father, Brian “Redz” Anderson, a member of The Gears who were “one of the…

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My Journey Becoming a Kidney Cancer Survivor

Patient Stories

Keri was honored as a cancer survivor at an Oklahoma State University Men’s Basketball as part of Coaches vs. Cancer. This is a guest blog by Keri Kirby, 47, cancer survivor. She lives in Missouri. My journey began on Saturday, March 17, 2018. The day started out as normal, and I attended a church conference about 45 minutes away from…

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Sean Healy’s journey with kidney cancer

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Sean Healy, a husband, father, avid traveler, hiker, and corporate real estate executive who was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer in 2018. He is based in Richmond, Virginia. Sean Healy with his wife Paige and sons Patrick and Ryan. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Clear Cell RCC in the summer of 2018…

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The One-Kidney Bodybuilder

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Annamarya Scaccia, a writer, fitness expert, and kidney cancer survivor. Follow her on Instagram @stillwellfitness. Keep up with her bodybuilding journey at her substack The One Kidney Lifting Club. “In second place, number 87.” I relax and sway to the front of the stage, the lights bright overhead. Feet planted, I move into my front…

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Through kidney cancer, figuring out how to get unstuck

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Bonnie Davidoff, a kidney cancer patient, aunt to the most amazing nieces and nephews, and arts enthusiast based in Olympia, Washington. Bonnie Davidoff with her family on a recent visit to Epcot Center in Florida. It was Davidoff's first visit with her family in three years because of health issues and the Covid-19 pandemic.…

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Lessons learned from stage IV renal cell carcinoma

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Joel Stern, who was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell carcinoma in 2020. This is the second in a two-part series, in which Joel discusses what he learned through his kidney cancer journey. Read part one: I have stage IV renal cell carcinoma and I’m surprisingly content After a stage IV clear cell renal…

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I have stage IV renal cell carcinoma and I'm surprisingly content

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Joel Stern, who was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in 2020. This is the first in a two-part series in which Joel discusses how to take a dire diagnosis and make the best of it. I Have Stage IV Cancer: The News No One Wants to Hear I am addicted to playing…

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After two kidney cancers, Jason felt he was saved for fatherhood

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Jason Hinojosa, a marketing professional, new father, and kidney cancer patient based in Seattle, Washington. He is also a KCA Ambassador. It was your typical Super Bowl Sunday, people running around town in their team colors buying last-second snacks for their parties. But this particular Sunday in 2011 turned out to be a day…

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Sharing Our Cancer Journey on Social Media

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Susan Hill, a member of the KCA's Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council and wife and caregiver of Bruce Hill. Our kidney cancer journey officially began in May 2017 when a CT scan revealed a large tumor on Bruce’s right kidney which resulted in a nephrectomy soon after. The Stage-IV renal cell carcinoma (RCC) diagnosis…

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Watching my son cope with my kidney cancer

Patient Stories

“Mama?” I hear his footsteps coming down the hall. “Mama?” He calls again. “I’m in here, baby.” I call loudly from the restroom. But there’s a wall and a door between us.  “Mama? Mama?” He didn’t hear me. I call him again, my voice now louder—a near yell.  “What? I’m in the bathroom, Kelly!” “Mama?! Mama?! MAAAAAAAAA?!” He’s now frantic,…

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