Ask The Patient Advocate

What does it really mean to be well while living with cancer? How do you find hope when a diagnosis changes everything? And how can a difficult health journey become a source of purpose for others?In this powerful episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Brelli sits down with Shawn Elizabeth George, wellness educator, writer, speaker, rare cancer advocate, and two-time marathon runner, to explore resilience, wellness, and patient advocacy after a life-changing diagnosis.Shawn shares her deeply personal journey through anxiety and depression, her diagnosis with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)—a rare salivary gland cancer—and the realities of treatment, recovery, and life beyond cancer. She opens up about undergoing surgery, proton beam radiation, and chemotherapy while raising a young family, and why the support of family, friends, healthcare providers, and community can make such a profound difference.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Shawn Elizabeth George:Pause. Breathe. Pray.https://www.shawnelizabethgeorge.com/https://www.instagram.com/shawnelizabethgeorgehttps://www.facebook.com/shawnelizabethgeorgeConnect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com

What happens after your child receives an autism diagnosis? How do you know which therapies and recommendations are truly right for your child? And how can parents become confident advocates without feeling overwhelmed?In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli speaks with Dr. Theresa Lyons, a Yale-trained scientist, autism parent, and founder of Navigating Autism, about turning uncertainty into informed action.Dr. Lyons shares how her daughter’s diagnosis transformed her scientific curiosity into a mission to help families understand autism and make thoughtful, personalized healthcare decisions. The conversation explores why autism can look so different from child to child, how parents can identify the challenges affecting quality of life, and why treatment should be tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Dr. Theresa Lyons:https://awetism.co/work-togetherhttps://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingAWEtismhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/theresamlyonsphdhttps://www.facebook.com/NavigatingAWEtism/Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com

Have you ever felt unheard during a medical appointment? What if the most valuable source of healthcare improvement has been overlooked all along? How can patients become stronger advocates for their own care?In this powerful episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Matt Torresco, nationally recognized patient advocate, founder of Arco Advocacy, TEDx speaker, and creator of the Empowered Patient Framework. After suffering a devastating cervical spine injury that led to years of chronic pain, multiple surgeries, opioid dependence, and countless healthcare encounters, Matt transformed his personal struggle into a mission to elevate the patient voice across healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries.Whether you're living with a chronic illness, managing chronic pain, supporting a loved one, or simply striving to make informed healthcare decisions, this conversation offers actionable tools and a fresh perspective on patient advocacy. You'll leave inspired to recognize that your lived experience is not just important—it's essential. Because when patients are empowered to speak up and healthcare truly listens, better care becomes possible for everyone.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Matt Toresco:https://matttoresco.com/mediahttps://www.tiktok.com/@matttorescohttps://www.instagram.com/matttoresco/https://www.linkedin.com/in/matttorescoConnect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com

Could your child have a rare disease that doesn't appear on newborn screening? What happens when a parent's instincts don't match the initial diagnosis? How can patient advocacy change the future for other families?When a child faces a rare genetic disorder, every minute matters—and every voice counts. In this deeply moving episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Jordan Kruse, founder of the Brave Little One Foundation, to share the heartbreaking yet inspiring story of her son, Pruitt, who was diagnosed with ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder that causes life-threatening ammonia buildup.After losing Pruitt at just six months old, Jordan transformed unimaginable grief into a mission to improve rare disease awareness, patient advocacy, and support for families navigating medically complex diagnoses. Together, they discuss why rare conditions are often mistaken for more common illnesses, the importance of trusting parental instincts, gaps in newborn screening, and why the message "Think Rare, Act Fast" has the power to save lives.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Jordan Kruse:https://sites.google.com/view/thebravelittleonehttps://www.instagram.com/brave.littleone/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563127591766Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com

What does it really mean to live with cystic fibrosis beyond the diagnosis? How can nutrition, self-advocacy, and resilience transform the journey through chronic illness? And what can every patient learn about navigating today's healthcare system with confidence?In this inspiring episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Nicholas Kelly, RD—registered dietitian, author, speaker, artist, and nationally recognized advocate living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Diagnosed as an infant, Nick has faced decades of hospitalizations, surgeries, and medical challenges, yet he has built a life fueled by purpose.Whether you're living with cystic fibrosis, caring for someone with a chronic medical condition, or simply looking to become a stronger advocate during your own healthcare journey, this conversation offers practical insights, encouragement, and hope.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Nicholas Kelly MS, RD:https://nicholaskellyrd.com/https://www.facebook.com/NicholasKellyRDhttps://www.instagram.com/NicholasKellyRDhttps://www.tiktok.com/@nicholaskellyrdhttps://nicholaskellyrd.com/contact/Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com

What happens after your cancer treatment ends? Why do so many cancer survivors still struggle long after remission? Who helps patients navigate the emotional, physical, and mental challenges of life after cancer?In this inspiring episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli welcomes Mariana Arnaut, Co-Founder and CEO of The After Cancer, an innovative organization transforming cancer survivorship care through personalized, evidence-based digital support. After witnessing the challenges faced by loved ones recovering from cancer, Mariana set out to address one of the biggest gaps in modern oncology: helping survivors thrive—not just survive.Together, they explore why the transition from active treatment to survivorship can feel overwhelming, despite successful cancer outcomes. Mariana explains what cancer survivorship truly means, why so many survivors experience ongoing fatigue, anxiety, fear of recurrence, pain, cognitive changes, and emotional distress, and how healthcare systems often struggle to provide the long-term support patients need.If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Connect with Mariana Arnaut:https://www.theaftercancer.com/https://www.facebook.com/theaftercancer/https://www.instagram.com/theaftercancerConnect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com