What happens when a cancer diagnosis turns out to be the beginning of a mission, not the end of a story? In episode 267 of Joy Found Here, Tim McDonald shares how a stage IV colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2020 led him through chemo, a search for a living liver donor, and ultimately a transplant that changed everything—and how that journey turned him into a research advocate, author, and podcast host fighting to make sure others don't face the same battle alone. For Tim, the story isn't about just surviving—it's about becoming his own best advocate and using that power to help others do the same.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
03:29) Tim's cancer journey begins: symptoms and a Thanksgiving breaking point
(08:48) Diagnosis day: \"you have cancer\" and the confirming colonoscopy
(09:48) Finding a liver transplant option after being ruled out for surgery
(14:07) Why colorectal cancer research funding is missing—and who it's costing
(14:55) Finding purpose within days: from \"why me\" to advocacy
(18:33) The mindfulness that shaped his calm response to diagnosis
(21:55) His wife's caregiving journey and the trip that tested their fear
(28:47) Writing From Patient to Advocate as a guidebook, not a memoir
(31:39) Becoming \"coach\" of his care team—and firing the wrong doctors
(42:14) Pushing for bipartisan funding and what's next for advocacy
Tim McDonald is a stage IV colorectal cancer survivor and liver transplant recipient who turned his 2020 diagnosis into a mission of patient advocacy. He's a Research Advocate with Fight Colorectal Cancer and Florida Chapter Leader for Man Up to Cancer, and serves on patient advisory councils with HOPA and the PAN Foundation. He hosts the Advocacy at Work podcast and Substack and is the author of From Patient to Advocate: Turning Survivorship into Impact. He lives in the Tampa Bay area with his wife.
In this episode, Tim McDonald shares his journey from a 2020 stage IV diagnosis with liver metastases through chemo and a liver transplant from an altruistic living donor after a 14-month search. He reflects on integrating mind and body in his treatment, the toll and growth in his wife's caregiving role, and his shift to becoming the \"coach\" of his own care team — switching oncologists and pursuing options doctors initially dismissed. He also discusses his advocacy work pushing for dedicated colorectal cancer research funding in DC, his podcast and Substack spotlighting other patient advocates, and his new book.
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Book: Tim McDonald - From Patient to Advocate
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