When You’re Handed Lemons, Make Lemonade!

September 3, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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From Lung Cancer Patient to Full Time Advocate

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Dusty Donaldson, Lung Cancer Patient Advocate, LiveLung Founder
At fifty-one, Dusty’s life was a whirlwind. A mother of three, she was also juggling a full-time career and graduate school when a lung cancer diagnosis stopped everything in its tracks. Her treatment included the surgical removal of two lobes of her lung and adjuvant chemotherapy. Now, twenty years later, with no recurrence, Dusty has gone from patient to full-time advocate. Her determination has led her to establish a national lung cancer organization dedicated to creating patient and caregiver groups, offering vital education and providing community for those facing this disease. In September 2025, to celebrate survival, she’ll take off for a road trip around the US in her “Skan Van” to raise awareness about early detection and the urgent need for research funding. She’ll join Hildy in Boston for Upstage Lung Cancer’s concert in October. How did she do all this? Listen to this inspiring story.

WHEN YOU HIT A WALL Let Music Change Your Path

August 20, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Jacy Dawn Valeras, Award-winning Television Host, Producer, Podcaster and Music Business Executive

Hildy welcomes Jacy Dawn Valeras—television host, producer, music business executive, and podcaster with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Jacy shares her life-long dream of becoming a country music singer. With her father’s encouragement, family’s support, and her own determination and talent, she succeeded in sharing the stage with some of country music’s biggest names.

But just as her star was rising, a vocal cord injury forced her to stop singing—for at least a year. Overcome and unsure of her future, Jacy faced a turning point. By refusing to give up, she found a new way to channel her love for country music: writing songs and helping other artists shine. She also mastered digital marketing, launched her own successful business, and began guiding performers at every stage of their careers.

Her journey didn’t stop there. Jacy now hosts a popular podcast where she interviews high-profile guests about their paths to success. What’s more, in honor of her father who ultimately lost his life to lung cancer, she works tirelessly as a passionate advocate for Upstage Lung Cancer to raise awareness and inspire hope.
Tune in to hear the powerful story of a woman with true grit, resilience, and a deep love for music that never quit—even when life tried to stop her.

PROGRESS BRINGS HOPE FOR SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER

July 16, 2025Uncategorizedbackstageupstage

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Voicing New Reasons for Optimism

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Maida Mangiameli, Dusty Donaldson, Misty Shields, MD, Ph.D., and Ann Steagall

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer with a 5-year survival rate of just 7%, a disheartening statistic. Despite this, survivors, researchers, and the medical community are actively working to create a more hopeful future. In this powerful podcast episode, we bring together a diverse team of guests to discuss stories of survival, groundbreaking treatments, and renewed reasons for hope. You’ll hear from:
• Maida Mangiameli, an inspiring SCLC survivor who’s been in remission for 8 years, so far.
• Dr. Misty Shields, a physician-scientist specializing in SCLC within her oncology practice who also shares a personal story.
• Dusty Donaldson, a lung cancer survivor and patient-advocate whose organization provides crucial support groups for SCLC patients.
• Ann Steagall, a dedicated nurse navigator who guides patients through their diagnosis and treatment journey.
Join us for a lively discussion that sheds light on the progress being made and the hope that exists for those facing small cell lung cancer.

ALL IN THE FAMILY Is Lung Cancer Inherited?

June 10, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Jaclyn LoPiccolo, MD, Ph.D., Pasi Janne, MD, Ph.D., Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jill Feldman, EGFR Resisters

Hildy opens with a powerful anecdote about an early Upstage Lung Cancer Board member whose mother, grandmother, and aunt all had lung cancer. She endured months of allergy and antibiotic treatments for a persistent cough, only for a CT scan a year later to reveal Stage 3 lung cancer. Our guest, Jill Feldman, brings a unique perspective as a third-generation lung cancer patient, with the disease present on both sides of her family. Oncologists and researchers Dr. Pasi Janne and Dr. Jaclyn LoPiccolo join in to discuss their “Inherit” study www.Inheritstudy.org, which aims to clarify the genetic risk for lung cancer, especially when there’s a family history. This vital conversation tackles the complex question of inheritance and environment in understanding lung cancer development. This vital conversation tackles the intricate interplay between inheritance and environment in understanding lung cancer development – a compelling question often raised by family members after a loved one’s diagnosis.

Living with ALK+: Diagnosis, Treatment, & Hope

May 7, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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A Biomarker Dialogue Between Patient and Scientist

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Marc Muskavitch, PhD, ALK+ & Zachary Rogers, PhD, Research Fellow, Koch Institute at MIT

This episode features a powerful conversation between two scientists, one now navigating life as a Stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer patient. Most lung cancer patients only learn the significance of biomarkers like ALK+, soon after their diagnosis. Our guest Marc Muskavitch, however, arrived at this knowledge with a distinct advantage: he is a scientist himself. With a background spanning drug development, biochemistry, and genetics, and holding seventeen patents, Marc’s understanding shaped his emotional and strategic response to his diagnosis and ongoing journey. His compelling conversation with scientist Zach Rogers, a previous podcast guest who addressed recurrence and drug response in lung cancer, gains even greater meaning in this context. Marc also sheds light on the significant community brought together by the ALK Positive patient organization that is now collaborating with the scientific research organization, Break Through Cancer. Our guests discuss their vision for hopeful future advancements in cancer treatment.

THE RIDDLE OF DRUG RESPONSE: Why Does A Drug Work For One Person And Not Another?

March 11, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Zachary Rogers, Ph.D. Postdoc at MIT | American Cancer Society Fellow

Lung cancer treatment is undergoing a revolution. In the last 15 years, we’ve transitioned from broad chemotherapy to precision medicine, targeting the specific genetic drivers of each patient’s cancer. This shift, along with the rise of immunotherapy, offers unprecedented hope. Today, we speak with Dr. Zachary Rogers, a post-doctoral researcher at MIT’s Koch Institute, whose work on ALK mutations illuminates these advancements. He’ll explain how targeted therapies and immunotherapies combat cancer, and delve into crucial questions: why do some patients respond while others don’t, and why does recurrence occur even after apparent remission? Dr. Rogers will also share insights into groundbreaking research on new cancer markers. Join us for a critical discussion on the future of lung cancer treatment – a conversation that provides a vital look at the forefront of cancer research.

Improvise Life! Seize The Day While Living With Cancer

February 17, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: James Hiter, Streak for A Cure

James and Hildy had a similar experience in having their lung cancer found by accident. James, a “streaker” who runs daily, epitomized health. So, a lung cancer diagnosis—discovered accidentally during a bout of the flu—came as a devastating shock. A routine X-ray revealed a tumor of the size of a tennis ball. This unexpected twist led James to uncover a family history of the disease: his grandmother and great-uncle both succumbed to lung cancer. Driven by this knowledge, he joined a research study exploring the genetic links to lung cancer. James’s story is one of resilience. He shares the profound impact of lung cancer on his life, offering an “optimistic realist’s” perspective on daily life and the challenges he and his wife face. Initially declared “cured” after surgery, James’s world was rocked a year later by the cancer’s return. This time, he learned he had the KRAS biomarker, a discovery that proved crucial in guiding his treatment. He details his treatment journey, the setbacks, and the hope that came with targeted therapies. James’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of medical research. From accidental diagnosis to recurrence, he’s facing the ups and downs with resolute positivity. Hear how he’s using his experience to inspire others through “Streak for A Cure.” Don’t miss this powerful podcast!”

Beyond the Breast: Unraveling HER2 in Lung Cancer, What A Difference 20 Years Makes!

January 16, 2025Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Zofia Piotrowska, MD, MHS, Massachusetts General Hospital

This podcast delves deeper into the evolving understanding of the HER2 biomarker in lung cancer, twenty years after its discovery. We’re joined by Dr. Zofia Piotrowska, renowned oncologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, to build on our previous discussion, “HER2 Isn’t Just About Her!” Dr. Piotrowska explores the intricate nuances of HER2 in lung cancer, explaining how subtle genetic variations can significantly impact treatment outcomes. While HER2 biomarkers are more frequently observed in non-smokers, women, and younger patients, it’s crucial to remember that anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer. Of critical importance in diagnosis and treatment decisions is comprehensive biomarker testing. This valuable information empowers clinicians to tailor treatment plans with precision. This episode highlights the remarkable progress made in precision medicine in combating HER2-positive lung cancer, offering renewed hope for patients, their loved ones, and the entire medical community.

Kicking Cancer! From Diagnosis to Defiance: One Survivor’s Story

December 13, 2024Episodebackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: TERRI CONNERAN, Founder of KRAS Kickers
Imagine facing five recurrences of cancer in seven years. Terri Conneran did, and she turned her adversity into a powerful force for change. Terri embodies the strength of the will to defy the odds of a cancer diagnosis and emerges as a beacon of hope for lung cancer patients. Despite multiple recurrences and navigating a challenging diagnostic journey, she remains resilient and determined to gather information, learn about research and advocate for others who have a KRAS biomarker. Terri founded KRAS Kickers to create a community for patients and families to have a place for support and gathering knowledge during diagnosis and treatment for cancer with a KRAS mutation, the most common biomarker responsible for the three deadliest cancers: lung, pancreatic and colon. Terri’s story is deeply personal, yet her fight is inspirational. She travels the world to meet with KRAS Kicker groups, researchers and providers to help revolutionize treatments. This episode is a testament to the power of hope and the power of the human spirit to kick cancer. Be sure to listen and share this podcast.

Size Matters! Small Cell Neuroendocrine Tumors Pack A Mighty Wallop

November 15, 2024Uncategorizedbackstageupstage

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HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Carl Gay, MD, MD Anderson, Misty Shields, MD, Ph.D., Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Hildy shares her experience of losing a friend who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal system. Knowing that neuroendocrine cells are present in the lungs prompted Hildy to wonder if lung cancer drugs would possibly be viable in treating her friend’s condition. This podcast looks at small cell lung cancer which is a kind of aggressive neuroendocrine tumor and less aggressive, carcinoid neuroendocrine tumors. Experts Dr. Carl Gay and Dr. Misty Shields discuss how little is known about the neuroendocrine system, even among oncologists. Neuroendocrine small cell tumors in the lungs and other areas of the body are associated with tobacco use and vaping. The less aggressive, low grade, carcinoid tumors have unclear causes. The discussion includes how these tumors are diagnosed, challenges for treatment, drug resistance and recurrence. Our guests also highlight the importance of research, and new therapies that give hope to these patients.

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Presented by Upstage Lung Cancer