Cancer Caregiving Close to Home: A CEO’s Story

In this episode, we sit down with Sally Werner, CEO of Cancer Support Community, to explore her dual perspective as a longtime oncology professional and as a caregiver to her mother-in-law. We begin with Sally’s background—first as an oncology nurse, then a healthcare administrator, and now a nonprofit leader. She calls this her “passion job,” driven by a deep commitment to support patients and caregivers alike.Sally opens up about her personal journey as a caregiver. Her mother-in-law, Patty Jo, was diagnosed with a rare renal cancer, and Sally became an essential part of her care team, despite living in a different city. As a seasoned professional, she brought clinical experience to the table, but she quickly learned that when the patient is someone you love, emotions can cloud objectivity. To manage this, she utilized Cancer Support Community’s own navigation resources to bring a neutral party into the conversation—someone who could help guide medical decisions without the weight of family emotions.Second opinions played a crucial role in Patty Jo’s care. Sally emphasized how vital they are, especially with rare cancers. In Patty Jo’s case, an aggressive surgical recommendation was replaced with immunotherapy after a second opinion—an option that ultimately preserved her quality of life and kept her active. The family’s concerns were met with clarity and reassurance, thanks to a coordinated, compassionate care approach.Caregiver support was another focal point. Sally discusses the emotional and physical toll on her father-in-law, who was the primary at-home caregiver. She stresses the importance of helping caregivers maintain their own wellbeing. Sally even moved in for a time to assist with daily tasks and give him a break, showing how essential family coordination and self-care are during intense medical periods.We also explore how to activate and manage support systems. Sally used Cancer Support Community’s My Lifeline tool to keep extended family informed and to schedule help in ways that respected Patty Jo’s wishes. This helped avoid overwhelming her while still allowing others to contribute meaningfully.Throughout the conversation, Sally returns to the theme of shared decision-making. She emphasizes that while friends and family often mean well, it’s the patient who should drive treatment choices. Tools like Open to Options allow patients to articulate values and priorities, helping align treatment with what matters most to them.We end with a look into survivorship—what it means to live well after diagnosis. For Patty Jo, this means gardening, walking, spending time with family, and learning to manage fatigue. It also means embracing life differently and more deliberately. As Sally reminds us, cancer changes everyone. But with support, compassion, and the right tools, families can find strength and even joy on the other side of diagnosis.This season is sponsored by Sanofi: https://www.sanofi.com/And Jazz Pharmaceuticals: https://www.jazzpharma.com/More:Cancer Support Community: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.orgMy Lifeline Tool: https://www.mylifeline.orgTriage Cancer Financial Resources: https://triagecancer.orgnbmtLINK Finance Guide (English): https://www.nbmtlink.org/product/finance-guide-for-bone-marrow-stem-cell-transplant/nbmtLINK Finance Guide (Spanish): https://www.nbmtlink.org/product/guia-de-financiacion-para-trasplantes-de-medula-osea-celulas-madre/ National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK.  Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.