Spotlight: Sean Healy, Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council

Sean Healy joined the KCA’s Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council in 2024. Sean was diagnosed with stage 3 kidney cancer in 2018. He lives in Richmond, Virginia.

What motivated you to get involved with the KCA?

When I was diagnosed with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in 2018, my wife, Paige, and I were just so overwhelmed at first getting the information we needed to understand my diagnosis and next steps. We did a lot of online research and spoke with friends/friends of family who had experienced kidney cancer. Unfortunately, we did not find the KCA until after my first recurrence in 2020. Since then, we have really appreciated all of the resources that the KCA has for patients and caregivers all in one place. I have really appreciated the live opportunities to connect with other people who are on a kidney cancer journey. I am a regular attendee at the monthly Patient Perspectives meeting (what an awesome group!) and I look forward to the Patient Symposium every year as well. I truly appreciate everything the KCA does and look forward to getting more involved through the Patient & Caregiver Advisory Council. 

What are you excited to bring to the organization?

I am really passionate about helping people who are early in their cancer journeys. I think the KCA does a great job providing support and resources that help them be better informed, and hopefully, find the treatment that can help them kick cancer’s butt. Being able to get the word out about the KCA and advocating for the organization are areas I am excited to support more in the coming months and years.

How do you hope to see the KCA grow?

I hope the KCA can become one of the first places newly diagnosed kidney cancer patients and their caregivers/supporters go to so they can be informed and find solutions beyond their doctors. I also would love to see the KCA continue to raise funds to support research and have even more impact on developing treatments for kidney cancer of all types.  

What is your favorite travel destination?

Paige and I love to travel and are constantly planning our next trip! We love to go to new places and have a long and growing list of destinations.  We love National Parks and really enjoy checking another one off the list any time we get the chance (18 and counting!). We are heading to Iceland in late August to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and we are really excited to visit the Land of Ice and Fire!

What do you like to do in your free time?

Besides enjoying traveling, I really love to hike and get outside a lot with friends and family. We are foodies and like to try new restaurants in our hometown.  Besides that, I enjoy reading fiction for pleasure and I am a big Boston sports fan (Go Pats and Red Sox!) and Formula 1 racing fan (Forza Ferrari!). Most of all, we love to spend time with the people we love which includes our family and friends.