The More Than 4 Cast: Recent Episodes
Allison Yacht
The More Than 4 Cast will focus on stories of parents and others involved in the pediatric cancer world.
Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels is a pediatric cancer organization based out of Arizona but they have many programs for kids outside of Arizona. In this episode we talk to Stephanie, Family Relations Coordinator and Victoria, Comfort Care Counselor. They tell us about their “ComfyCozies for Chemo”, an adaptive apparel that makes it easier to access kids’ ports. They also tell us about their Story Time (in English and Spanish!) and their mindfulness kits. I hope you find this conversation helpful.
Useful Links:
https://www.amandahope.org/
https://www.amandahope.org/comfycozy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ghnSda0DOTvccZRgeZaHg
Feather is a mother to 5 kids and has had quite a bit of experience with cancer. You will hear her tell it, but she was diagnosed with retinolblastoma when she was 2 years old. She also has 2 daughters who are survivors. She is here to tell us about her book: Invisible Me
Please check out her book on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Invisible-Me-Feather-Chelle/dp/B091F3MWR8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=invisible+me+book&qid=1620227177&sr=8-1
In this podcast, Kezia tells us how and why, she and her husband started a company called CareAline. CareAline was created after their experience with cancer that affected both Kezia their daughter Saoirse. Unfortunately, they lost their daughter before her 2nd birthday.
Visit www.carealine.com to find out more about their products that help contain external lines.
Transcript of Podcast can be found here.
Courtney and Caitlin started Costumes for Courage in 2020 as a way to help children find some excitement and bravery while going through treatment. They run the organization together with help from Caitlin’s husband, Geoff, and their friend, Rachel.
Courtney has built her career around business operations and project management. She currently works for a national bank. Courtney lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband, two children, Mason and Lilli (who inspired Costumes for Courage), a dog named Bear, and two cats, Jette and Smores.
Caitlin is Courtney’s sister (Lilli’s aunt). She currently works as an executive recruiter and previously managed sponsorships for a number of professional sports organizations. Caitlin also lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband, Geoff, who helps run Costumes for Courage. They have two dogs: Kona and Summer.
Transcript can be found here.
- Website: https://www.costumesforcourage.org/
- Articles:
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- https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penn-trafford-students-nominated-for-national-academy-of-television-arts-sciences-award/
- https://www.today.com/parents/girl-dresses-different-princess-each-chemo-treatment-t161317
- https://www.wpxi.com/news/proud-to-be-from-pittsburgh/proud-to-be-from-pittsburgh-princess-lilli-s-cancer-battle/996473953/
- https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedNews/status/1166909838506332160
- https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/penn-trafford-toy-drive-honors-student-aids-young-cancer-patients/
Kandace tells us the story of her brother Gabe and their family's project to bring a Childhood Cancer license plate to fruition. Gabe is a 16 year old medulloblastoma survivor.
Helpful Links:
www.gabesplates.com
www.morganadamsfoundation.org
www.copsfightingcancer.com
http://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/05/22/childhood-cancer-license-plate/
Molly tells us the story of her son Easton and his diagnosis of Optic Pathway Glioma and Neurofibromatosis (NF1). Easton and his family has been through a lot, but he keeps positive and proudly shows off his scars.
Keywords: g-tube, Ronald McDonald House,
Rebecca tells us the story of her son's ALL diagnosis. He recently finished treatment. Please read here to see Jack's drive-by cancer party/parade: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/nation/2020/04/16/new-hampshire-4-year-old-gets-car-parade-after-beating-cancer/5144045002/
Parvathy tells us the story of her family's experience with cancer and a genetic condition.
Lori's son, Max, finished treatment for ALL in April 2019. Lori has a ton of great information in her conversation. Topics covered: momcology, Fit Like a CK Mother; Orgain; Alex's Lemonade Stand
Jennifer's son is 14 now and was diagnosed with medulloblastoma. He finished treatment in February 2020, just a few months ago. He took part in a clinical trial at St Jude in Memphis Tennessee. He had to endure surgery, chemo and radiation. We talk a bit about radiation in this conversation, so please check the notes to see the spiderman mask that we refer to. In her tips and tricks she mentions smell sticks and we have put a link to amazon if this would be helpful for your family.
Please note: I mistakenly said her son is 11, he is actually 14.
Picture of Radiation Mask
Smell Sticks
Leila's daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 10 years old. She discusses child life, Drums, Girls + Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. She also talks about Bone Marrow Transplant and Graft V Host Disease (GVHD).
This interview is with Kristy and Joelle. Their kids were diagnosed with leukemia and rhabdomyosarcoma (respectively) around the same time in 2018. Please be sure to listen to the end where we talk about silver linings. They have started a company called Two of a Kind and they sell beautiful earrings. For each pair sold, one is donated to a caregiver.
2ofa.kind-Instagram
https://www.facebook.com/2OfAKindEarrings/
www.2ofakindearrings.com
Keywords: Covid, caregivers, T-cell leukemia, rhabdomyosarcoma, Singapore, bring sheets and blankets, talisman, momcology, HopeKids,
This is an interview with Karly. Karly is just about to graduate from High School. She is part of the Silver Creek Leadership Academy and is required to do a capstone project. Karly’s project is called You’ve got a friend in me. She has spent this year planning and executing her project. I am very lucky to be Karly’s mentor and I am so proud of all that she accomplished this year. I hope you enjoy it.
Keywords: cancer, slca, silver creek, volunteer
We are so glad that Brittny shared her family's story with us. Mac was diagnosed with AML when he was 8 mos old and then diagnosed with Diffused Midline Glioma when he was 3. Mac is 7 now and he and Brittny just wrote a book called "This is hard, but you can do it". There is a kickstarter campaign for this book that ends on May 13, 2020. You can find it here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/butyoucandoit/this-is-hard-but-you-can-do-it-childrens-book
You can follow their story at www.teammac2013.com.
Sha's son, Josiah is fighting ALL. Listen as she tells us about his treatment, tips and tricks and silver linings.
Jordan tells us the story of her son, Zac. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2017 and finished chemo in March 2018. She shares some great information about rotationplasty and some great ways to talk about cancer with kids.
Join us for a great conversation with Sarah John, founder of Fit Like a Mother, for mother's of little cancer warriors.
Please join us for a listen to Heather's story about her son's cancer diagnosis and current treatment.
Justin talks about his son, Max and his family's nonprofit organization called maxlove.
Listen along with BraveHoods founder, Allison Yacht as she talks to other parents of kids with cancer. Listen to learn others' stories, tips and tricks and hear about silver linings.
Our first official recording of our new podcast - The More Than 4 Cast. Shannon Bennish is the mother of an amazing survivor and the author of How to Help Someone with Cancer. This book, based on their experience is incredibly helpful and informative. Shannon shares their family's experience going through cancer, some tips and tricks and her silver linings.
If you need some inspiration, some story therapy or hear the story of "someone's who's been there", this 30 minute podcast is for you.