Kidney Cancer Unfiltered

Anxiety after #kidneycancer? You’re not alone. In episode 7 of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, Dr. Tracy Murray from Ochsner Health shares with host Annamaria Scaccia why getting professional help matters, simple ways to ease anxiety, and the truth about not having to “be strong” all the time. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.

Cancer at Work — What are your rights? Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq., CEO of Triage Cancer, joins host Annamaria Scaccia to discuss the legal and practical challenges people face when navigating cancer and employment. From understanding protections under laws like FMLA and ADA to knowing what isn't guaranteed, this episode is packed with essential info — plus resources for free legal and financial guidance. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.

Can You Be Fit with One Kidney? Kidney cancer survivor Josh Silva shares with Annamaria Scaccia how an incidental diagnosis at 31 changed his life — and how fitness, gratitude, and being present have shaped his healing. He speaks candidly about survivor’s guilt and reminds others: Your cancer experience is valid, no matter what it looked like. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.

Mari Galle, L. Ac, DACM & founder of Moving Beyond Cancer Collaborative joined Annamaria Scaccia on Kidney Cancer Unfiltered to discuss the importance of integrative oncology care — approaches that support the whole person, not just the disease. Galle emphasized that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all and encourages patients to build a care plan tailored to their needs, including modalities like physical therapy, exercise, nutrition, mind-body practices, and emotional support. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.

In this episode of Kidney Cancer Unfiltered, we spotlight the often-overlooked experiences of Native American communities in the context of kidney cancer. Experts Dr. Monica Yellowhair of the Arizona Cancer Center and Dr. Ken Batai of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center share research findings on health disparities, barriers to care, and the need for culturally respectful treatment in tribal communities.Nancy Washburn, also of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, brings a vital voice to the conversation — offering a front-line view of what it means to navigate patients through a system full of red tape and limited access. With host Annamaria Scaccia, the conversation emphasizes the crucial role of patient navigators and community health workers in bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring Native patients don’t fall through the cracks and calls on providers, researchers, and systems to do better — for ALL patients. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.

In this week's conversation, host Annamaria Scaccia sat down with Haley Pollack, Executive Director of Bright Spot Network, to talk about what it really means to parent through a cancer diagnosis. Haley shares personal stories, practical wisdom, and a powerful reminder: you don’t have to be perfect — you just have to be present. They cover everything from embracing mac & cheese for dinner to allowing yourself grace through survivorship and parenthood. Visit kidneycancer.org for more support and resources.