Help and Hope Happen Here podcast artwork

PODCAST · health

Help and Hope Happen Here

This Podcast is going to be about Pediatric Cancer and the need to keep the awareness of this terrible disease in the public eye. My plan is to be able to interview a wide spectrum of people who all have a passion and a stake in finding a way to make the lives of these Pediatric Cancer Patients easier. I will interview oncologists, nurses, recovered patients, parents who have had to oversee their children's cancer fight, heads of Pediatric Cancer Foundations and Organizations , and others who would like to use this forum to advocate for these children.

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  1. 548

    Emily Koska will talk about her daughter Miriam's diagnosis of Stage 4 High Risk Nodular Ganglioneuroblastoma in November of 2025 when she was 6 years old and the treatment that she has been through and will still go through.

    6 year old Miriam Koska was experiencing leg pain, abdominal pain, fevers, night sweats and fatigue in the fall of 2025 when she was diagnosed with an offshoot of Neuroblastoma known as Ganglioneuroblastoma. This form of Pediatric Cancer has a similar treatment protocol to the more well known Neuroblastoma. Miriam has been through difficult treatment but is doing as well as possible as she enters her next phase of treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  

  2. 547

    Jennifer and Sean White will talk about their daughter Olivia who was diagnosed with Megakaryoblastic Leukemia which is a more aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in February of 2024 and has been making dramatic progress recently with her health.

    Megakaryoblastic Leukemia is an even more aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which always is a difficult form of Pediatric Blood Cancer.  Olivia White was 15 months old in February of 2024 when she was diagnosed with this disease. After some very difficult struggles with her treatment, Olivia has been feeling much better over the past months as she approaches her 4th birthday this coming November.

  3. 546

    Alyssa Aguilar's 6 year old daughter Lola was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Halloween in 2024 and after being attacked by a Fungal Infection, passed away in early March of 2025, just a little over 4 months after her diagnosis.

    For the second time in just a few months on this podcast, we heard the story of a Fungal Infection that attacked a child who was in treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and this infection could not be stopped for causing a child to pass away. This time it was Lola Aguilar, the 6 year old daughter of Alyssa who spoke beautifully on our podcast about what her beloved daughter had to go through after falling to the floor on Halloween in 2024, just as she was about to go Trick or Treating. 

  4. 545

    Melanie and Joe Wengrod will talk about their daughter Harper who was more than shockingly diagnosed with Stage 3 Sertoli Cell Ovarian Cancer before her 1st birthday at the end of 2024 and she is fighting her battle each and every day.

    Harper Wengrod was born on January 12th of 2024 and by the end of that year , a lump on her abdomen that her dad Joe found after Thanksgiving that was thought to be Neuroblastoma was the probable cause. That was not to be the case however as Joe and Melanie were to learn that Harper was actually suffering from Stage 3 Sertoli Cell Ovarian Cancer. This is such a rare diagnosis for a child not even a year old to receive, as Ovarian Cancer is found in women decades older than that. Harper continues to fight her battle on a daily basis and physically it looks as if she is a completely healthy toddler.

  5. 544

    Mike Dechristopher will talk about the Dylan Project which he started in 2012, to originally help 1 Pediatric Cancer patient but now buys 10 gifts during the holiday season for many patients and is known as the Real Life Santa Claus.

    After hearing the story of a friend that had a child who was diagnosed with a form of Pediatric Cancer, Mike Dechristopher got involved in this Pediatric Cancer cause in 2012 and started the Dylan Project. This Non-Profit now has helped hundreds of families in the New England area and brings joy to these kids by buying gifts each holiday season and delivering them to their homes, giving him the nickname of the Real Life Santa Claus, a nickname that is well deserved. 

  6. 543

    Angelica Sharpe will talk about her daughter Lainy who was diagnosed with Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma when she was 12 years old after feeling numbness and paralysis in her legs in the summer of 2023. Lainy passed away in January of 2025 when she was 14.

    Lainy Sharpe began to feel numbness in her legs, followed by paralysis when she was 12 years old in the summer of 2023. Her diagnosis was Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma, which as rare of a diagnosis as it gets. Lainy fought as hard as possible before passing away in January of 2025 and was very much a part of the Pediatric Cancer community during her fight, which was proven by her winning the Children's Healthy Hero Award for her dedication to helping others at Banner Children's Hospital in Tucson, Arizona.

  7. 542

    Sarah Lappostato will talk about her daughter Elena who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was 3 years in old in September of 2025 and her Curie score has thankfully gone from 25 to 1 in the last 10 months.

    Elena Lappostato was complaining of mouth pain in September of 2025 and just a couple of weeks later, she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was 3 years old. Since that time , Elena has undergone difficult treatment including 2 autoglous stem cell transplants and is now doing well and has recently begun the next phase of her treatment which is Post Consolidation.

  8. 541

    Michaela Haywood will talk about her daughter Kaylan who was 11 years old and a champion Gymnast in her home state of Hawaii before being diagnosed with DIPG in February of 2018 and passing away in August, just 6 months later.

    After winning the Vault event and finishing 2nd in the All Around Competition in the Hawaii Gymnastics Championship in November of 2017, 11 year old Kaylan Haywood competed for the first time since her winning performance in January of 2018. What resulted was Kaylan's side being weak, her foot was dragging, and her arm was hanging. In February she was diagnosed with DIPG and only was able to live for 6 more months, as she passed away on August of 2018 from this most dreaded form of Pediatric Brain Cancer.

  9. 540

    Dana Quiroga will talk about her diagnosis of Osteosarcoma which took place when she was 14 years old in 2023. Dana is now 17, and doing as well as possible as she is getting ready to enter her senior year in High School.

    Dana Quiroga felt a pain in her knee during her entire soccer season in 2023 and during that summer this pain did not go away, leading to her diagnosis of the Bone Cancer Osteosarcoma. Dana underwent a replacement for her knee and tibia with a prosthetic substitute and now 3 years later, Dana is feeling well and has already chosen what she plans to do with her career which will involve Pediatric Nursing.

  10. 539

    Fran Fulcher will talk about her daughter Grace who was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma which is a form of Pediatric Brain Cancer when she was 16 years old in 2015 and passed away 3 years later when she was 19

    Grace Fulcher was 16 years old in 2015 when she began to complain about double vision. Her double vision led to a diagnosis of a non curable Pediatric Brain Tumor known as an Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Grace was given 3 years to live and she did her very best in trying to make those 3 years meaningful. Grace continued with her high school studies, being a member of the National Honor Society for 3 years, and graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.4 Grade Point average. Because of the acceleration of her brain cancer, Grace went to college for only her first semester of freshman year in which she hoped to become involved in Neo Natal care. Grace passed away at the age of 19 on October 24th of 2018.

  11. 538

    Darline Medina will talk about her beloved daughter Brooklyn who was diagnosed with DIPG in April of 2023, spent 100 days at St. Jude's and went on the ONC 201 Clinical Trial, but passed away on February 17th of 2024, 1 month before her 4th birthday.

    Darline Medina's daughter Brooklyn was full of health for the 1st 2 years of her life until the winter of 2023 when Brooklyn began to experience abnormal movements in her left eye. Her eye looked okay when examined by an eye doctor but her walking did not look okay and this led to her diagnosis of DIPG. Brooklyn's diagnosis took place in April of 2023 but her life span from that day until her passing on February 17th of 2024, was just 10 months, and took place one month before her 4th birthday.

  12. 537

    Josh Doud will talk about his son Jameson who was diagnosed with a Midline High Grade Glioma Pediatric Brain Cancer shortly before his 8th birthday in the summer of 2024 and his passing away from this disease less than a year ago on August 12th of 2025.

    Jameson Doud was nearing his 8th birthday in August of 2024 when he was diagnosed with a Midline High Grade Glioma Pediatric Brain Cancer. In March of 2025 the Doud family got very good news that there were no signs of any cancer from the most recent scans but just a couple of months later, Jameson's scans showed that his cancer had spread to his bone and Jameson was not expected to last until Christmas of 2025. That expectation went too far unfortunately and James on passed away from this disease on August 12th of 2025.

  13. 536

    Kelsie Wittmayer's 5 year old daughter Rosie was having fevers every few weeks in May of 2025, and these fevers went unexplained for more than 3 months before she finally was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in late August

    In May of 2025, 5 year old Rosie Wittmayer was found to have a double ear infection and then began to develop fevers every 2-4 weeks. These fevers were checked out regularly but no solution was found , with one possibility floated that she had the Mumps. Finally on August 27th, Rosie and the Wittmayer family received her diagnosis of B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Rosie has been through nearly 11 months of treatment and still has more than a year left as her scheduled date to end her treatment protocol will be in November of 2027. Fortunately Rosie is doing well physically .

  14. 535

    Zach Arter and Emily Niebur will talk about the non-profit HELP 1 PERSON TODAY which Zach started in August of 2024 as a way to help fill the gaps for Pediatric Cancer patients who are going through treatment from this disease.

    Zach Arter had been serving youths in Omaha Nebraska for 15 years in various capacities and then decided to focus on helping Pediatric Cancer patients in August of 2024. That is when he started his HELP 1 PERSON TODAY with this non-profit which tries in a number of ways to help these kids who have to go through difficult treatment during their individual cancer battles.

  15. 534

    Toni and Dylan Franklin will talk about their daughter Noelle who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in May of 2024 and was only able to survive this Bone Cancer for 1 year, as she passed away in May of 2025

    As Toni and Dylan Franklin were in the playground with their children Noelle and Dylan in the spring of 2024, Noelle asked her dad to look at a bump that had formed on her leg. Withing a week Noelle was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a very difficult Bone Cancer. After being treated at the Pediatric Cancer hospital at Duke University which did not go well, Noelle was transferred to the Pediatric Cancer hospital at the University of North Carolina. Despite the treatment that was more to the benefit to Noelle, she was unable to recover and passed away on May 12th of 2025, almost exactly one year after her original diagnosis. 

  16. 533

    Christina Stiverson will talk about her daughter Adelaide ( Addie) who was diagnosed with the very rare Liver Cancer known as Hepatoblastoma as she approached her 2nd birthday in the fall of 2015 and passed away in December of 2016

    After being shuttled back and forth between her home and hospital emergency rooms for months in 2015 because of recurring fevers, Addie Stiverson received the very difficult diagnosis of Hepatoblastoma in the autumn of 2015 while visiting family in Colorado. Although her doctors were optimistic that Addie would recover from this Liver Cancer, her body said otherwise as after a Liver Transplant, Addie's cancer spread to her lungs and then her brain. Addie passed away on December 20th of 2016, having lived for only 3 years and 17 days.

  17. 532

    Tristin Mercer's daughter Kinley was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer in the summer of 2022 when she was 4 months old. Kinley's cancer spread very quickly and she passed away on November 12th of 2022, just 7 1/2 months after her birth.

    A massive Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor was found on 4 month old Kinley Mercer's left kidney in the summer of 2022 and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Kidney Cancer.  Upon undergoing chemotherapy treatment, Kinley went through scans that showed that her cancer had spread very quickly, so much so that her doctors declared that her cancer was no longer curable. Kinley passed away from this very difficult form of pediatric cancer on November 12th of 2022, only 7 1/2 months after her birth.

  18. 531

    Andrea Wilson will talk about her daughter Phoenix who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2017 when she was 3 years old and her older daughter Liberty who's own life was in the balance while Phoenix was in treatment.

    Andrea Wilson had two very difficult health crises on her hands, one with her younger daughter Phoenix who was diagnosed with Stage 3 High Risk  Neuroblastoma when she was 3 years old in 2017,  and one with her older daughter Liberty who contracted Septic Pneumonia while Phoenix was in treatment. Phoenix was on the 7th floor of Phoenix Children's Hospital while Liberty was on the 9th floor. Fortunately both girls are surviving and doing well and Andrea and her family are looking onto the possibility of trying to build a Western Style Ranch with horses, so that Pediatric Cancer families can have a place to go to for healing purposes. 

  19. 530

    Shay McAlister is an Independent Journalist who has been investigating the Cluster of DIPG diagnoses that have surrounded 3 counties in Southeastern Kentucky. Shay will talk about this problem and what the powers that be in Kentucky are doing about it

    The counties of Knox, Laurel, and Whitley, in Southeastern Kentucky have seen 10 DIPG diagnoses since 2024, an extraordinarily high number of cases in such a condensed area. Shay McAlister is an Independent Journalist who has been investigating this issue and will discuss the problems that are related to this most deadly form of Pediatric Brain Cancer, which normally sees 1 or 2 cases in the entire state each year. Shay has written 2 major articles on this issue and will be continuing her goal to find some answers that are needed as to why this is happening.

  20. 529

    Caitlyn and CJ Downings 2 year old son Brooks was diagnosed with a Fusion Mesenchymal Tumor in his lung in the spring of 2025, and passed away on October 25th of last year, just 8 months ago.

    After experiencing a number of illness when he was 2 years old going into the spring of 2025, Caitlyn and CJ Jennings thought that their beloved son Brooks was experiencing normal illnesses that many toddlers may experience. Unfortunately that was not the case. Brooks was diagnosed with a Fusion Mesenchymal Tumor that was located in his lung and then spread to his Pelvic Bone. Brooks continued to feel well until August of last year when his health went downhill, leading to his passing on October 25th of 2025.

  21. 528

    Shaya Rees Frum will talk about her beloved sister and best friend Jessie who passed away after a 10 month battle with DIPG that ended with her passing on January 5th of 2012. Shaya is now very involved with the Jessie Rees Foundation.

    Shaya Rees Frum was 14 years old when her then 11 year old sister Jessie was diagnosed with DIPG on March 3rd of 2011.  Jessie passed away from this terrible Pediatric Brain Cancer on January 5th of 2012, but not before laying the groundwork for the Jessie Rees Foundation that has been directed by her father Eric for the past 14 years. I spoke with Erik about Jessie and the Foundation back in April. Shaya has taken on a major role in the Foundation, it is her full time job, and hopefully she will be the person to take on its Leadership Role, when Erik and Shaya decide that the time is right .

  22. 527

    Maribeth Ditmars will talk about her son Christopher who battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia before his passing when he was 14 in 2001, successfully battling her own demons, and the loss of her other son Jarrod in July of 2015

    Maribeth Ditmars has suffered plenty of heartache and loss for the past 25 years, beginning with the diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 1997 and the subsequent passing of her son Christopher at the age of 14 in 2001. This was followed by the passing of her younger son Jarrod when he was 21 years old from an accident on July 4th of 2015, which left him unconscious for the last 4 days of his life. In between those years, Maribeth successfully battled her own demons with her dependence on alcohol, to the point where she has been able to counsel many people who have had similar problems and she is now very involved in helping others. Maribeth has now been sober for 22 years . 

  23. 526

    Alisha Harper will talk about her son Chase who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome officially when he was born and 4 years later was diagnosed with Leukemia. Chase is going strong as he is now 9 years old

    During Alisha Harper's pregnancy, she was told that there was a 60 percent chance that her son would be born with Down Syndrome. That statement turned out to be a correct one as Chase was born in December of 2016 with this illness and by the time Chase was 4 years old, Alisha saw that his Down Syndrome was manageable. One month after feeling as good as possible about how Chase was doing, he developed a body rash which turned out to be a symptom of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Despite having this 1-2 punch thrown at him, Chase is doing well as he is now 9 years old and living his best life possible. 

  24. 525

    Kayla and Charli Martin will talk about Charli's diagnosis of High Risk B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 10 years old and in 5th grade in 2023. Charli is now doing well as she has just completed her 8th grade year.

    10 year old Charli Martin hurt her shoulder while competing in the New York State School Wrestling Tournament when she was in 5th grade in 2023. While going for Physical Therapy, Charli noticed a lump on her neck and after taking antibiotics and still in therapy, the pain in her shoulder did not go away. Charli then had this lump biopsied and the result was her diagnosis of High Risk B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Charli has now completed her 8th grade year and at 13 years of age is back playing sports and living the life of a normal and healthy 13 year old teenager.  

  25. 524

    Gwen Mysiak became the Executive Director of the Punt Pediatric Cancer Collaborative in 2012. This Collaborative was started by former Buffalo Bills Punter Brian Moorman and his wife Amber in 2004 and focuses on 6 major programs.

    Gwen Mysiak worked in the field of Public Broadcasting for 19 years in Buffalo and during that time, her friend's cousin Andrew Pawlak was 13 years old and in 7th grade when he was diagnosed with a form of Pediatric Cancer and passed away 2 years later. Not too much time went by after that before Gwen switched carriers to become the Punt Pediatric Cancer Collaborative's Executive Director in 2012. This Collaborative focuses on 6 major programs to help families deal with a Pediatric Cancer situation, with a special emphasis on their bereavement program.

  26. 523

    Carla and Sydney Belsher will talk about Sydney's battle with Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which she was diagnosed with in April of 2014 when she was 6 months old and how she is doing now at the age of 12 1/2.

    Sydney Belsher has been through a great deal in her still very young life as she is 12 1/2 years old, which started with stomach issues almost from her birth in the fall of 2013, and then her diagnosis of Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which came when she was 6 months old in April of 2014. Right after her diagnosis Sydney's lifespan was very uncertain as her doctors feared she would have a stroke and may not survive. This did not happen thankfully but Sydney has battled both physical and mental issues over the years . Fortunately Sydney has survived all of her issues and is trying to live her best life possible.

  27. 522

    Heather and Casey Arrayan will talk about their daughter Kalia who was diagnosed with High Risk B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November of 2023 and her recovery is now going well after her Bone Marrow Transplant in July of 2024.

    When she was 4 months old on November 14th of 2023, Kalia Arrayan was diagnosed with High Risk B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This diagnosis came as a complete shock to her parents Heather and Casey who did not see any clear symptoms before a routine checkup showed a lump on her spleen. Kalia went through a very difficult treatment process for the next 8 months before she underwent a Bone Marrow Transplant with her 11 year old brother being her donor. Kalia has been doing much better over the past nearly two years as she approaches her 3rd birthday.

  28. 521

    Dale and Marissa Metcalf will talk about Marissa's successful fight with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 3 1/2 years old in 2010 and her goal to become a Pediatric Cancer Oncology Nurse

    Marissa Metcalf does not remember many details from her treatment during her battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which took place in 2010 when she was 3 1/2 years old. What she does know, now that she is 19 years old and looking at possible careers, is that this form of Pediatric Blood cancer has affected her in different ways as she approaches 20 years of age, and wants to help others who have been diagnosed with cancer by becoming an Oncology Nurse, which would be a great accomplishment for her and a good thing for her future patients.

  29. 520

    Lily McGrath will talk about her son Bryson who had a very difficult path to navigate during his 1027 day fight with Neuroblastoma that began in early 2023 and ended with his passing on September 26th of 2025 when he was 5 years old.

    Lily and Sebastian McGrath's 2 1/2 year old son Bryson was first thought to have a Wilms Tumor before his Pediatric Cancer diagnosis was changed to Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in the early days of 2023. Lily and Sebastian had to put up with a number of more than questionable medical decisions during Bryson's fight and also had to endure the final days of Bryson's life who while in Hospice Care, was  promised 24 hour round the clock availability should they be needed and when they were needed the most, they were nowhere to be found. Lily also had to watch after Bryson passed away while one of the Hospice nurses attempted to rip off all of Bryson's dressings, instead of treating her son with the kid gloves that he more than deserved. 

  30. 519

    Cherie Calbom is a well known Nutritionist who will talk about the negative health effects that Seed Oils can have on consumers and the link that exists between these Oils and Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult, and Adult Cancer.

    Cherie Colbom is not only an expert Nutritionist, she has written 35 books, including her Juicing For life which has sold 2 million copies and her current book which became available on April 28th entitled The Truth About Seed Oils. Cherie will talk about how Seed Oils can have negative health effects for consumers and will discuss the link between Seed Oils and Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult, and Adult Cancer. Cheire has been on television many times discussing this issue and has also written many articles on this subject.

  31. 518

    Lauren and TJ Bailey will talk about their son Brody who was born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in early 2023 and then just after his first birthday he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.

    Brody Bailey is one of possibly two children in the World who have been born with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and then diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. Lauren and TJ Bailey are Brody's parents and will talk about his journey with the good news being that he is more than 3 years old and is doing as well as possible health wise. The Bailey family has received great support from their Township of Deptford New Jersey community, especially from Rich Nardiello who is the head of the great Pop Pop Custom Cars Non-Profit and a wonderful advocate for the cause of Pediatric Cancer. 

  32. 517

    Jordan Belous will talk about her spectacular connections that she has made with so many pediatric cancer patients and their families through her WHIP PEDIATRIC CANCER Non-Profit

    Jordan Belous has always had a soft spot for Pediatric Cancer Patients and when she was 16 years old in 2015 she issued a "challenge", much like the Ice Bucket Challenge, when she created a video that went viral by dancing for 14 seconds to the song WHIP/NAE NAE by Rapper Silento to either Dance or Donate. More than 7000 people took up her challenge and donated more than $100,000 to Memorial Sloan Kettering to fight the cause of Pediatric Cancer. That was the birth of her WHIP PEDIATRIC CANCER Non- Profit. Since that time Jordan has personally developed long standing and iron clad friendships with more than 300 Pediatric Cancer patients and has done extraordinary work for these kids, their families and the cause of Pediatric Cancer. 

  33. 516

    Matt Giegerich will talk about his role as CEO of the Matthew Larson or Iron Matt Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors which was started by young Matt's parents Kelly and Greg after his passing from a form of Pediatric Brain cancer in 2007

    Matt Giegerich has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Matthew Larson Foundation for Pediatric Brain Tumors for the past 18 months. This foundation, also known as the Iron Matt Foundation, was started by young Matt's parents Kelly and Greg after Matt passed away from the Pediatric Brain Cancer Choroid Plexus Carcinoma in 2007, when he was 7 years old. This Foundation focuses on helping families with financial assistance as well as focusing on raising money to award Grants to researchers who are trying to help solve the many issues that are involved with Pediatric Brain Cancer.  This Foundation has now awarded over 100 Grants to researchers in the United States and Canada. 

  34. 515

    Leslie and Michael Fox will talk about their son Mason who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April of 2023, was doing well, and then was attacked by a Fungal infection that led to his passing in February of 2024.

    Mason Fox was 10 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April of 2023. Mason then went through treatment and was doing very well with his recovery before a Fungal infection got the best of him quickly in February of 2024, and led to his surprising and unfortunate passing, not even 10 full months past his original diagnosis. His parents Leslie and Michael detail the amazing persona that Mason had as he was most concerned with helping others even during treatment for this blood cancer, as he bought toys with his own money and would walk down the halls at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital with these toys in a wagon, hooked up to his IV pole, and would deliver them to the other Pediatric Cancer patients on his floor. 

  35. 514

    Nick and Sarah Bascle will talk about their son Liam who was diagnosed with an Ependymoma Brain Tumor when he was 10 months old in April of 2015, and lived his best life possible before his passing on November 23rd of 2021

    Liam Bascle was only able to live 7 1/2 years because of an Ependymoma Brain Tumor that he was diagnosed with in April of 2015. His persona resonated with many people despite his tender age and many tributes came his way after his very unfortunate passing in November of 2021, after fighting with this Brain Tumor for 6 1/2 years . To honor the memory of their beloved son his father Nick, with support from his mom Sarah, started the Links Fore Liam Golf Tournament in New Hampshire to help raise money for the cause of Ependymoma and Pediatric Cancer. This tournament is now held in  New Hampshire, Colorado, and Louisiana, with at least 4 more locations on the horizon. 

  36. 513

    Amy and Matt Cisneros will talk about their son Cullen who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia when he was 3 years old in 2012, gained remission quickly, was in good health for the next 8 years, and then was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma

    After being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia when he was 3 years old in 2012, Cullen Cisneros was able to live the next 8 years of his life free of cancer until 2020 when leg pain during a baseball game led to a diagnosis of Ewings Sarcoma. Cullen's parents Amy and Matt will talk about their beloved son, who fought from 2020 until May of 2025 to try and do everything he could to stay alive, only to pass away from this Bone Cancer when he was 15 years old. 

  37. 512

    Amelia Mijach will talk about her son Hayes who was diagnosed with High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 2 years old in 2024 and after very difficult treatment, he is finally feeling better and is back to being an active little boy.

    Amelia Mijach's then 2 year old son Hayes was diagnosed with High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was 2 years old in August of 2024 and the reason for his high risk status was because of his extraordinarily high white blood cell count at diagnosis. Hayes then contacted a serious fungal infection during his consolidation phase of his treatment and during the next year and a half of treatment he needed to fight off a battle of Neutropenic Fever and he experienced other battles as well. Finally in  December of 2025 Hayes turned the corner and is doing much better physically and is as active as possible. 

  38. 511

    Erik Rees will talk about his daughter Jessie who was diagnosed with DIGP on March 3rd of 2011 and passed away only 10 months later on January 5th of 2012 when she was 12 years old. Jessie was the inspiration behind the Jessie Rees Foundation.

    Erik Rees became an amazing Cancer Dad and Pediatric Cancer advocate during and after his daughter Jessie battled with and passed away from DIPG at the age of 12 in January of 2012. Erik talks about his beloved daughter and then details the Jessie Rees Foundation which was started because of Jessie's wish to help Pediatric Cancer patients who were at Children's Hospital of Orange County in California. Jessie started her Jessie's Joy Jars while battling her Pediatric Brain Cancer, and nearly 600,000 patients have received these Joy Jars in the United States and across the globe since Jessie was able to donate 3000 of these to patients before her passing. This foundation now raises 5 1/2 million dollars each year.

  39. 510

    Ben Shroyer will talk about his now 10 year old daughter Hannah who is a survivor of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma and Histiocytosis and will talk about his Casting For The Kids Foundation which he started to help families financially and emotionally.

    Ben Shroyers then  2 year old daughter Hannah was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in 2018, then was diagnosed with Histiocytosis which ended up in her brain before she became cancer free in 2021. Now 10 years old and in 3rd grade, Hannah is doing well health wise. Ben started the Casting For The Kids Foundation in 2020 during the pandemic as a way to help families both emotionally and financially through a fishing tournament which has now raised $460,000 over the past 6 years . Ben is an amazing advocate for families in the Sarasota, Florida area and what he has accomplished through his foundation for many individuals and families in the Pediatric Cancer world is truly outstanding.

  40. 509

    Kelly DiGiammo and her son Brayden will talk about Brayden's battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia which Brayden was diagnosed with in late February of 2024. Brayden is now just one month away from the second anniversary of his remission and is doing well

    When Kelly DiGiammo's son Brayden was 13 years old in early 2024 he developed troubling health symptoms, including going from being one of the fastest runners in the school to losing his breath and running very slowly, experiencing continuing colds, and then having a bout with the flu. Brayden was diagnosed late in February of that year with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Brayden successfully completed a Stem Cell Transplant and has been in remission since May of 2024. Kelly and Brayden will talk about his journey which has been a successful one and Kelly will also talk about her experiences getting involved in advocacy work for the cause of Pediatric Cancer. 

  41. 508

    Mary Kemp and Kaitlyn Lee will talk about the Society For Emerging Leaders organization which Mary co-founded in 2022 and which Kaitlyn is its Executive Director. This organization is made up by over 350 students..

    The bill AB 703 which was signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom and which I talked about with Sahil Metha on my podcast a few weeks ago is just one of the important accomplishments that was led by the Society Of Emerging Leaders, which was co founded by Mary Kemp in 2022 and is under the direction of Kaitlyn Lee. This law now gives the voters in California the option to check off a box on their state tax form if they would like to donate to the cause of Pediatric Cancer. Mary and Kaitlyn will talk about many of the other programs that The Society For Emerging Leaders have started in California to benefit the cause of Pediatric Cancer.

  42. 507

    Jacob Orlick was 11 years old when he was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in 2019. Now 18 years old and doing well, Jacob will talk about his roles as A Motivational Speaker and his podcast, Motvational Mic.

    Jacob Orlick is now a senior in High School and making plans to attend Penn State University in the fall. Jacob was 11 when he was diagnosed with the Bone Cancer Ewings Sarcoma, had his right leg amputated, but has been able to live a fulfilling life which includes his work as a Motivational Speaker and his Podcast entitled Motivational Mic. Jacob is hoping that his career path leads him into becoming a Professional Sports Broadcaster. 

  43. 506

    Dr. Katerina Levy is a Pediatric Psychologist who has written a book entitled THE HEALING GARDEN. This book is fiction but gives great strategies to kids and families who are trying to cope with a Pediatric Cancer diagnosis.

    Dr. Katerina Levy decided to write her book THE HEALING Garden while she was a resident at the Broward Medical Health Center in South Florida. This book was based on the Healing Garden that she saw while at that Medical Center and is full of strategies that work for kids who are trying to cope with being diagnosed with any form of Pediatric Cancer. Dr. Levy is still in the very early stages of her career as a Pediatric Psychologist.

  44. 505

    Meghan Macantee was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia as a sophomore at SUNY Potsdam where she originally hurt her hamstring during swimming practice. Meghan is fine now but went through some terrible times before her diagnosis .

    Being treated terribly by her swimming coach and eventually belittled and made fun of by her teammates, Meghan Macantee was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the fall of 2023, during her sophomore year at SUNY Potsdam where she was a member of the swimming team. Before her diagnosis, Meghan went to the emergency room 11 times where she was also treated poorly. In short, no one believed this wonderful young woman The fact that she was diagnosed with such a difficult form of Pediatric Cancer says it all. Meghan is now doing well health wise and giving back to others with her non-profit MEGHANSMISSIONINC. Meghan never received an apology from any of the people who so terribly wronged her. SHAME ON THEM.

  45. 504

    Kim Alexander will talk about her daughter Payton who was 15 years old when she was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in January of 2018 and fought bravely for 3 1/2 years until her passing in November of 2021 at the age of 19

    Payton Alexander was living a healthy and normal life for a 14 year old until late in 2017 when she began experiencing symptoms that needed to be checked out. These symptoms led to her diagnosis of Ewings Sarcoma in January of 2018. Payton continued to try and live as good of a life as possible as she joined the Make A Wish and Little Warrior Foundations to try and help other patients suffering from Pediatric Cancer. Payton fought for 3 1/2 years with this Bone Cancer before her passing in November of 2021 when she was 19. Her mom Kim, who talked beautifully about her beloved daughter during our podcast, has been involved in the cause of Pediatric Cancer since Kim's passing, with her Payton Alexander Foundation. 

  46. 503

    Tamy Bell will talk about her son Griffin who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when he was 16 months old in September of 2018, and had his 3rd relapse in April of 2023, leading to his passing at 6 years old in March of 2024.

    Tamy Bell's son Griffin was born 3 months prematurely in June of 2017 and 16 months later was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in September of 2018. Griffin relapsed on two occasions after that but then in April of 2023, had a 3rd relapse that was more severe as his cancer had spread to his orbital bone. This relapse took away any realistic hope of further treatment that would help Griffin, and he passed away on March 18th of 2024, 3 months before his 7th birthday,

  47. 502

    Sahil Mehta will talk about the amazing and far too short life of his older brother Ronil who passed away from DIPG in 2018 and what Sahil did subsequently in Ronil's honor and memory to greatly affect the cause of Pediatric Cancer.

    Sahil Mehta's older brother Ronil wanted to donate his brain to Stanford University after his passing from DIPG in 2018 in the hope that it would help another DIPG Victim in the future. Sahil took this request as his personal responsibility and then got so involved in the cause of Pediatric Cancer that he eventually worked with California Assemblyman Alex Lee to form the bill AB703, that would give the California State Taxpayers the option on their tax forms to check a box that would allow them to donate to the cause of Pediatric Cancer. This bill was fully formed and ready by July of 2025 to have Governor Gavin Newsom sign it into law. California is now only the 8th state in the country to have this provision on their tax form and Sahil is hoping that many other states will join in this effort to bring much more money into the cause of Pediatric Cancer.

  48. 501

    Carrigan Nelson's mom Tammy, her Aunt Bonnie, and closest friends Devean Piermont, Hannah Nasser, and Madison Quinn will join in a tribute to a true Icon, who passed away from Osteosarcoma on Christmas Day of 2025.

    Carrigan Nelson was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in March of 2019 and fought for the next 69 months with this form of Pediatric Bone Cancer until her passing on Christmas Day in 2025 when she was 24 years old. Carrigan was a truly Iconic young woman who did so much for the cause of Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer and was beloved by everyone that knew her. A very well accomplished Singer, Dancer, and Artist, she looked at life with Joy and nothing mattered to her more than trying to inspire other young patients with her singing and reaching out in compassion to help others in any way possible. Her mom Tammy, her Aunt Bonnie, and her greatest friends Deaven Pierpoint, Hannah Nasser, and Madison Quinn will talk about their beloved daughter, niece, and friend in this Tribute To Carrigan.

  49. 500

    Tony Garcia is now 55 years old and is a 43 year Pediatric Cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 2 1/2 years old in 1973 and his treatment ended 10 years later in 1983.

    Tony Garcia will talk about his early in life Pediatric Cancer battle which began in 1973 when he was diagnosed with Leukemia  when he was 2 1/2 years old. Tony's treatment finally ended nearly 10 years later in 1983 and since that time he has been doing as well as possible for the past 43 years, as a long term Pediatric Cancer survivor. Now 55 years old, Tony just published his first book (memoir) at the end of January called MY CHILDHOOD CUT SHORT. SURVIVING LEUKEMIA AND FINDING PURPOSE BEOND PAIN. Tony also is involved in supporting Pediatric Cancer patients through fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy work. 

  50. 499

    The Leandro Family which includes 9 year old Jack, 11 year old Sydney, and parents Lyndsey and Adam will talk about Sydney's diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and what her brother Jack did in response to it.

    Sydney Leandro was 5 years old on Easter Sunday of 2020 when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Now at age 11, Sydney is feeling and doing well and is able to live a good life. In 2025 her brother Jack, who is now 9 years old, decided to start a non-profit called PUCKS FOR BUCKS in which he shot approximately 200 pucks a day from his driveway into a hockey goal and raised $1.00 for each puck he shot, which he donated in Sydney's honor and to help other Pediatric Cancer Patients. He donated this money to the A Wish Come True Non- Profit which had treated the Leandro family to a trip to San Diego in 2023. Jack will continue his non profit after his current hockey season ends and will begin from where he left off last summer in which he had totaled 10,027 pucks shot.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

This Podcast is going to be about Pediatric Cancer and the need to keep the awareness of this terrible disease in the public eye. My plan is to be able to interview a wide spectrum of people who all have a passion and a stake in finding a way to make the lives of these Pediatric Cancer Patients easier. I will interview oncologists, nurses, recovered patients, parents who have had to oversee their children's cancer fight, heads of Pediatric Cancer Foundations and Organizations , and others who would like to use this forum to advocate for these children.

HOSTED BY

Mark Levine

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Help and Hope Happen Here have?

Help and Hope Happen Here currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Help and Hope Happen Here about?

This Podcast is going to be about Pediatric Cancer and the need to keep the awareness of this terrible disease in the public eye. My plan is to be able to interview a wide spectrum of people who all have a passion and a stake in finding a way to make the lives of these Pediatric Cancer Patients...

How often does Help and Hope Happen Here release new episodes?

Help and Hope Happen Here has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Help and Hope Happen Here?

You can listen to Help and Hope Happen Here on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Help and Hope Happen Here?

Help and Hope Happen Here is created and hosted by Mark Levine.
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