The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

Blood Cancer United

A podcast for patients and caregivers

  1. Sep 21

    Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Four Olympics, One Unexpected Diagnosis

    AJ Kitt In this episode, four-time Olympic downhill skier AJ Kitt shares his diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and how revolutionary medical advances transformed an unsettling diagnosis into a manageable part of his everyday life. AJ opens up about the initial shock of the news, the emotional toll it took on his young family, and how finding CML pioneer, Dr. Brian Druker, restored his confidence amid deep uncertainty. The conversation dives into his treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the vital importance of self-advocacy, and how he continues to thrive as both an athlete and a ski coach. Tune in to hear why AJ believes that access to reliable information is the ultimate game-changer for anyone navigating a new CML diagnosis. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Chronic myeloid leukemia CML podcast with Dr. Druker Hematology Horizons vlog episode: Blood cancer care close to home Shared Decision Making Chronic Leukemias CML programs Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Information Specialists  Free Nutrition Consultations Nutrition Handbook for Parents Free telephone/web patient programs  Clinical Trial Support Center SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Support groups  Patient Community Medical Debt Case Management Program Financial support Survivorship Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Mental Health Resources The post Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Four Olympics, One Unexpected Diagnosis first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

  2. Sep 11

    A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Cancer: Support, Advocacy, and Hope

    Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are suddenly expected to manage medications, appointments, treatment decisions, family life, and overwhelming emotions, often all at once. In this episode, we speak with Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree, pediatric cancer parent, advocate, and author of The Cancer Parent’s Handbook, about the practical guidance she wishes every family received from day one. Laura shares powerful insights from her family’s journey after her three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She offers actionable guidance on child advocacy, trusting parental instincts, engaging siblings, and maintaining normalcy during treatment. Additionally, Laura explores strategies for helping children thrive post-treatment, providing crucial hope and support for families facing some of their hardest days. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Dare to Dream PedAL trial Navigating Blood Cancer for Children and Teens The Cancer Parent’s Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn’t Have Time To Tell You Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Information Specialists  Free Nutrition Consultations Nutrition Handbook for Parents Free telephone/web patient programs  Clinical Trial Support Center SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Support groups  Patient Community Medical Debt Case Management Program Financial support Survivorship Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Mental Health Resources The post A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Cancer: Support, Advocacy, and Hope first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

  3. Jul 30

    Making Your Voice Count: The Power of Patient Advocacy

    Behind every policy is a patient, caregiver, or family whose story helped make change possible. In this episode, we speak with Andrea Sanchez and Becki Chandler, volunteer advocates with Blood Cancer United, about the power of patient voices in shaping public policy. Drawing from their own family experiences with blood cancer, they discuss issues ranging from medical debt and insurance coverage to clinical trial access and research funding and explain how patients and caregivers can make their voices heard. Learn why sharing your story matters and how personal experiences help lawmakers see that patients are more than numbers on a page. Behind every statistic is a real person, a unique story, and a family impacted by blood cancer. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Blood Cancer United Advocacy and Office of Public Policy – sign up for volunteer advocacy or sharing your voice here Medical Debt Case Management Program Financial support Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act Dare to Dream Blood Cancer United Scholarship program Blood Cancer Care Close to Home vlog episode National Institutes of Health (NIH) Advocating for Yourself: Insurance, Finances, and Your Rights podcast episode  Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Information Specialists  Clinical Trial Support Center Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Free Nutrition Consultations Free telephone/web patient programs  SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Patient Community Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Support groups  Survivorship Workbook Mental Health Resources The post Making Your Voice Count: The Power of Patient Advocacy first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

  4. Jul 21

    Advocating for Yourself: Insurance, Finances, and Your Rights

    Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq. Cancer affects more than your health. It can impact your finances, insurance coverage, employment, and daily life. In this episode, Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq. of Triage Cancer joins us to discuss common financial and insurance challenges patients and caregivers may face after a cancer diagnosis, including understanding health insurance, managing medical debt, appealing insurance denials, finding financial assistance, and avoiding gaps in coverage. Monica also shares practical resources and strategies to help individuals make informed decisions and reduce the financial stress that can come with cancer. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Financial support Medical Debt Case Management Program Triage Cancer No Surprises Act No Surprises Act Help Desk – 1-800-985-3059 How Do I? Insurance Series Insurance Coverage Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) Chart of State Laws Appeals Insurance Guides and Worksheets October 2026 Webinar-Understanding Changes to Medicaid & the Marketplace: What Patients and Caregivers Need to Know Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Information Specialists  Clinical Trial Support Center Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Free Nutrition Consultations Free telephone/web patient programs  SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Patient Community Support groups  Survivorship Workbook Mental Health Resources The post Advocating for Yourself: Insurance, Finances, and Your Rights first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

  5. Jun 25

    Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Breaking Down an Aggressive Lymphoma

    Jonathon Cohen, MD, MS When you hear the word “aggressive,” it can feel overwhelming, but in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), it can also point to something encouraging – a potential cure. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jonathon Cohen, of Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA, about what a DLBCL diagnosis really means, from how this common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is identified to current treatment options and emerging therapies. We explain what patients and families need to know about side effects. We also look at new treatments, including CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, and the importance of open communication with your care team. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma CAR T-cell therapy Stem cell transplantation Bispecific antibodies (immunotherapy fact sheet) Clinical Trial Support Center Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Information Specialists  Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Financial support Free Nutrition Consultations Free telephone/web patient programs  SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Patient Community Support groups  Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Survivorship Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Mental Health Resources Episode supported by Genmab US, Inc. The post Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL): Breaking Down an Aggressive Lymphoma first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

  6. Jun 12

    The Bloodline Live!: Redefining Resilience

    Samuel Brotkin, PhD, Chelsea Kaye, LCSW and Elissa Baldwin Recorded onsite at CancerCon®, a young adult cancer conference presented by Stupid Cancer®, we talk about what resilience really means after a cancer diagnosis, and why it’s not about always being “strong.”  Join us alongside Sam Brotkin, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Bull City Behavioral Health and Chelsea Kaye, LCSW, an Information Specialist at Blood Cancer United. In this episode, we share compassionate, practical strategies for building lifelong resilience. Learn how to manage expectations, find trusted support, and give yourself grace exactly where you are today. Although this discussion comes from a young adult cancer conference, the insights shared are relevant across all ages and experiences. DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT CLICK HERE to participate in our episode survey. Mentioned on this episode:  Information Specialists  Young Adult Resources Young Adult Online Chat Bobby’s Coaches Stupid Cancer The Bloodline Live: Emphasizing the Patient Voice in Young Adult Cancer Care – featuring Dr. Abby Rosenberg  Additional Blood Cancer United Support Resources:  Financial support Free Nutrition Consultations Clinical Trial Support Center Free telephone/web patient programs  SHARE web series Online videos Free booklets  Patient Community Support groups  Caregiver support Caregiver Workbook Survivorship Workbook Advocacy and Public Policy Mental Health Resources Episode supported by Merck & Co., Inc. The post The Bloodline Live!: Redefining Resilience first appeared on The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast.

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A podcast for patients and caregivers

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