Patient Stories

The Outdoors Nurtured Dylan Through Kidney Cancer

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Dylan Wisman, 28, of Winchester, VA. My name is Dylan Wisman, and in November 2023, my life changed forever. I was 27 and back in Missouri for an alumni wrestling weekend — but just as importantly, I was out deer hunting, chasing another elusive Missouri wall hanger. That Friday morning, out in the woods…

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In His Memory: Lessons from my Father's Battle

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Kiana Jones. Kiana’s father Sammie Jones was diagnosed with kidney cancer and passed away in 2024. Sammie Jones's family: Sammie Jr., Valeria, Sam, and Kiana. My father, Sammie Jones, was more than a cancer patient; he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who wanted to live and fight to be with his family.…

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Kidney Cancer Unfiltered Season 3: Stories of Strength, Support, and Advocacy

KCA, Patient Stories

Kidney Cancer Unfiltered season 3 was filled with raw emotions, compelling stories, and powerful insights by both experts and those impacted by kidney cancer. Hosted by Annamaria Scaccia, this season featured remarkable guests who shared their personal experiences, shedding light on topics often overlooked in cancer conversations. I have listened to quite a few of these podcasts and find them…

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Austin Proclaims March 1 "Kidney Cancer Awareness Day"

Event, KCA, Patient Stories

The City of Austin, Texas proclaimed March 1, the first day of Kidney Cancer Awareness Month, to be "Kidney Cancer Awareness Day" from 2025 onward.  John Ferrell, Annamaria Scaccia, and Katie Coleman at Austin City Hall. KCA Ambassador and patient advocate Annamaria Scaccia requested the proclamation.  “I’m grateful that Austin has recognized March 1 —  the start of Kidney Cancer Awareness…

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Fighting to be Heard, Fighting to Hold On

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Shayla Mitchell, 29, who has an unclassified type of renal cell carcinoma. Shayla lives in Missouri. For several months, I knew something wasn’t right. My body felt off — persistent back pain, discomfort, and an unshakable feeling that something was wrong. But every time I sought help, I was met with dismissals. Shayla Mitchell…

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Jeff Kallis's Continued Story of Survivorship

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Jeff Kallis, who was diagnosed with stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma in 2023. https://www.kidneycancer.org/stories/jeff-kallis/ This is a follow up post to my post in January 2024. Now two years later, I am a "kidney cancer survivor"! Six months ago I graduated to the Kidney Cancer Survivorship Clinic at Mayo Clinic Rochester rather…

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Finding Grace for Yourself

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Sid Sadler. Sid was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney cancer in February of 2024. He is married to his wife of eight years, Rachel, they have two loving pups Ollie and Penny, and a new daughter named Parker. Follow him at @theunremarkablekidney on Instagram. As I’m sitting here writing this, I can hear my…

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Escaping to Find Community and Solidarity

KCA, Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Annamaria Scaccia, a kidney and thyroid cancer survivor, patient advocate, and member of the KCA's Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council. As a cancer survivor, I sometimes feel like an imposter. Even years after my diagnosis, I catch myself questioning if my experiences really “qualify” me to be in certain spaces. But in mid-January, something…

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An Unexpected Chromophobe RCC Diagnosis

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Rachele Funes, 35. She and her family live in Florida. It was a week before my daughter’s first birthday. I’d finally gotten a referral to a pelvic floor therapist that felt my mass and got the ball rolling on what we now know is chromophobe kidney cancer. Being a first time mom I’d dismissed…

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A Slip N’ Slide Saved My Life

Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Shayna Lowe, 26. She lives in West Virginia. Never would I have thought a Slip N’ Slide would save my life. On August 5th, 2024 I was at work and we were having a fun day for the kids at the juvenile detention center where I'm employed. One of the activities was a Slip…

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