Travis, a patient with metastatic bladder cancer, has discovered new meaning in life since learning his cancer was incurable. The 50-year-old shares a perspective that left hosts Laura and Patrick speechless — and nearly everyone in tears. Travis credits his WashU Medicine oncologist, Melissa Reimers, MD, for focusing on his treatment so he can focus on “living his best life” — including by dressing up as Santa to bring joy to kids diagnosed with cancer. Travis and Dr. Reimers’ uplifting relationship and Travis’s unique approach to the season remind us of the unexpected gifts found even during life’s most challenging times.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:

www.UncleTravisSantaClaus.com

Join us as we sit down with three leading experts from Siteman Cancer Center: a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a breast imaging radiologist. Together, they reveal the cutting-edge advancements in breast cancer detection and treatment—straight from the front lines of research and patient care.

From groundbreaking imaging technologies and recommendations on assessing a woman’s risk to surgical techniques and therapies, learn what’s changing in breast cancer care and what is on the horizon.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:

https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/empoweringmbc/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/visiting/patient-and-family-services/metastatic-breast-cancer-support-group/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/locations/mammography-van/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/mammography/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/cancer-types/breast-cancer/clinical-trials/

https://siteman.wustl.edu/prevention/ydr/

It’s hard not to compare Jenna’s life story to a novel. At age 15, she and her world were upended by lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. As words like biopsy, chemo and radiation therapy became daily realities, her high school sweetheart, Colton, remained steadfast at her side, and her mother, Theresa, meticulously advocated for her care. Even after a relapse, Jenna was inspired by her oncology team at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to stay the course.

Motivated by her care providers, Jenna later pursued a career of her own in nursing, married Colton and, after giving birth to a daughter and a son, became a nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – again inspired by the care providers in her life. This episode features Jenna alongside her mother, Theresa, her WashU Medicine pediatric oncologist, David Wilson, MD, and nurse practitioner Debra Spoljaric, RN, MSNP, who leads Siteman Cancer Center’s Lifelong Outcomes Clinic for survivors of childhood cancer. Jenna shares examples of courage, resilience and love — and the promise of a storybook ending.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Wash U Medicine, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

For more information on topics discussed in this episode, go to:

https://siteman.wustl.edu/patients/

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/why-choose-us

https://siteman.wustl.edu/treatment/survivorship/

https://fertility.wustl.edu/treatments-services/integrated-care-fertility-preservation-progra

m/

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/proton-beam-therapy

https://www.stlouischildrens.org/conditions-treatments/oncology-services/cancer-support