Patient Stories

This is a guest post by Carie Gort, 55, a patient advocate and stage 4 kidney cancer survivor/thriver. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I had been feeling generally unwell for several years leading up to my 50th birthday. Often tired and continuing to lack energy, it was something I had just grown used to. A few months following this…

This is a guest post by Joshua Silva, a fitness enthusiast and creator (@joshsilva7 on Instagram) who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2023 at age 31. He is based in Houston, Texas. Life has a way of catching us off guard when we least expect it. For me, it all started with severe stomach pains that led to…

This is a guest post by Maritza Job Giordano, 37. Maritza was diagnosed with stage 2 renal cell carcinoma in 2023. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. On the evening of August 30, 2023, my life changed drastically. I picked up a stomach bug and quickly became ill. Ultimately, I became so dehydrated that I ended…

This is a guest post by Maritza Job Giordano, 37. Maritza was diagnosed with stage 2 renal cell carcinoma in 2023. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. On the evening of August 30, 2023, my life changed drastically. I caught a stomach bug and quickly became ill. Ultimately, I became so dehydrated that I ended up going to the…

This is a guest post by Sid Sadler, 32. Sid was diagnosed with stage 2 kidney cancer in February of 2024. Prior to his diagnosis he worked in the nonprofit sector in communications/social media. He continues to utilize his love of communications and social media (@theunremarkablekidney on Instagram) to advocate for kidney cancer patients. He is married to his wife…

In the final episode of the first season of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, host Annamaria Scaccia chats with Sarah Alysse Bobo, a stress and nutrition coach whose father had kidney cancer. Titled “Caregiving,” this episode delves into the invaluable role of caregivers for loved ones facing kidney cancer. Sarah shares her experiences and insights on the importance of caregiving, offering practical advice and emotional…

Episode 6 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered takes a personal turn as guests John Ferrell, a kidney cancer patient, and Nichole Goble from the Caregiver Action Network join host Annamaria Scaccia to discuss the profound impact of kidney cancer on relationships. This episode, titled "Intimacy and Relationships," delves into the themes of intimacy, support, and the strength found in connection. John…

In Episode 5 of the Kidney Cancer Unfiltered podcast, host Annamaria Scaccia continued her discussion on kidney cancer at a young age with guest Melissa Helmick. Melissa’s story of resilience and determination provided powerful insights into navigating the emotional landscape of a cancer diagnosis as a young adult. Melissa emphasized the importance of finding personal outlets to process emotions, encouraging…

In Episode 4 of the Kidney Cancer Unfiltered podcast, host Annamaria Scaccia spoke with Jason Hinojosa about the unique challenges of facing kidney cancer as a young adult. This episode highlighted Jason's journey and the specific difficulties younger patients encounter. Jason shared his personal story, emphasizing the importance of community and support. His reminder that "you're not in this alone"…

In Episode 3 of the Kidney Cancer Unfiltered podcast, host Annamaria Scaccia welcomed Lauren Burling, MSS, LCSW, from the Cancer Support Community, to continue discussions on how to manage the emotional challenges of a kidney cancer diagnosis. This episode, titled "Managing Emotions (Part 2)," provided essential strategies and support recommendations for navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the disease.…