Real Pink Podcast Episodes

Thoughtful gestures – big and small – mean so much to survivors, whether they’ve just been diagnosed or completed treatment many years ago. Today’s guest, Janice Workcuff, has devoted her life and career to advocating for needs of her fellow sisters through making phone calls, joining them at their appointments and spreading the word for improved healthcare and more clinical trials. It is her mission to raise awareness for breast cancer through speaking engagement, educational resources, counseling and hospice guidance. She stands on the premise that helping others is her purpose, her assignment, her calling – and she is a true leader that is making a difference. Janice, welcome to the show.

Often times, creating a sense of purpose from a difficult and challenging time is the drive that someone needs to keep pushing through. Cookie Joe founded Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School 45 years ago and works daily to inspire her dancers, their families and the community that she has built. Despite battling stage 2 breast cancer, Cookie Joe has called on her community for support and they have rallied around her. She knows that 1 in 8 of her dancers are going to experience breast cancer and understands how important it is for the kids to see her persevere in the face of difficult odds. Here to share her story and how she using her role to create purpose through community is Cookie Joe. Welcome to the show!

If you have breast cancer, you also carry a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, due to having a weakened immune system. Today’s guest was diagnosed with Stage 1, HER2-positive breast cancer before COVID vaccinations were available yet and during a time when she should have been celebrating, as she had just received her doctorate in biochemistry. The effect of navigating this diagnosis during a global pandemic was overwhelming, both physically and mentally. Here today to share her story and how she held onto hope through the process is Morgan Mitchell. Morgan, welcome to the show!

After treatment for breast cancer ends, many survivors find that staying involved through community or advocacy efforts can be personally rewarding and can also help others who might find themselves in a similar situation. Today’s guest founded a brand that started out as a mission to get her swagger back through exercise and a healthier lifestyle; and also focuses on healing from the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of trauma from an illness or life altering struggle. Here to share her story and what she has learned along the way is Candace Robinson. Candace, welcome to the show!

A breast cancer diagnosis isn’t easy and significant support is often needed to care for your emotional, social, spiritual and practical needs. Being able to lean on those closest to you can make all the difference. We also often hear people say that sharing their story with others who might be going through a similar situation can be therapeutic as well. It is so important to not try to go through it alone. Today’s guest underwent treatment for breast cancer two decades ago, but to this day, is still eternally grateful to the people that supported her and her family through such a challenging time. Trish, welcome to the show!

Whether you are newly diagnosed, are in active treatment or completed treatment years ago, breast cancer affects how you feel inside and out. You have to cope with the emotional strain of the diagnosis and the physical challenges of treatment, as well as the stresses of daily life. Even though your diagnosis may be similar to another person’s, the way breast cancer impacts your life is unique, much as the activities that help maintain your quality of life are unique. Today’s guest loves biking and quickly found that maintaining that activity throughout her treatment helped her feel like herself, her most happy and capable self. Here to share her breast cancer story and how biking helped her through it is Maria Boustead. Maria, welcome to the show.

It’s often thought that breast cancer only affects women over 40. But, unfortunately, that’s not the case. Breast cancer is rare in young women, but it does happen. And, when a young woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be shocking. At a time in life when most young women are focused on friends and career, all of a sudden issues of treatment, recovery, and survivorship suddenly take top priority. Hannah Hancock joins the podcast today to share her story and how she navigated being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 22.

[00:00:00] Adam Walker: Support for the Real Pink podcast comes from Lilly. For more than 50 years, Lilly has been dedicated to delivering life-changing medicines and support to people living with cancer. And those who care for them. Lilly is determined to build on this heritage and continue making life better for all those affected…

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomies can lower the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk by at least 90% and can be a healthy choice for young women with significant family histories of breast cancer like today’s guest, Sara Baumann, does. After a 10 year long history of yearly breast ultrasounds, biopsies and MRI’s, and a lumpectomy for a suspicious lump in her left breast, Sara spoke to her surgeon to weigh the pros and cons and ultimately decided to take charge of her own health by having a prophylactic double mastectomy at the age of 27. She is one year past her reconstruction and has never felt more comfortable in her skin or secure about her health. Sara, welcome to the show!

Navigating a breast cancer journey can cause feelings of confusion and fear, all of which are normal. There are healthy ways to cope with the stress caused by these fears, such as mindfulness meditation, support groups or finding a creative outlet. Today’s guest has been through quite a journey over the past decade. Having undergone numerous brain surgeries as a result of her breast cancer metastasizing, actress and comedian Hyla Matthews knows firsthand how important it is to find ways to keep a healthy perspective and is committed to finding way to laugh through her experience. Hyla, welcome to the show!