Episode 38

Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew

with Dr. Drew Pinsky and Susan Sabo-Wagner
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Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew

After our national spotlight on Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew Pinsky, we’re excited to share the full extended podcast version featuring bonus conversation with Dr. Drew you didn’t see on TV.

Darcie Wells, President & CEO of CanCare, joins Dr. Drew Pinsky on Health Uncensored and Susan Sabo Wagner, VP of Clinical Innovation at American Oncology Network (and a leukemia survivor), to show why emotional support isn’t extra—it's essential to cancer care. Listeners hear how CanCare’s survivor-to-patient matching, now powered by smart tech, brings calm, courage, and practical hope to patients and caregivers nationwide. SEO: emotional support for cancer, peer support, survivorship, American Oncology Network, young adult cancer.  

Susan shares her turning point—diagnosed with AML as a teen and treated with an autologous bone marrow transplant—underscoring why hope and connection matter at every stage. Darcie highlights rising diagnoses among younger adults and how whole-family support can steady spouses, kids, and grandparents when cancer collides with daily life.  

You’ll learn how peer support integrates with clinical care, why navigation and social needs (transportation, food security) affect outcomes, and how stories of long-term survivorship sustain belief on hard days. You’ll also hear how precision medicine changes treatment paths while human connection helps people endure them. The message is simple: you’re not alone, and a survivor can stand beside you—today.

Highlights:

00:00 – The power of human connection in cancer care
Darcie Wells opens with why no one should face cancer alone and how survivor support brings calm during chaos.

02:48 – How CanCare pairs patients with survivors who’ve been there
Learn how CanCare’s matching system works and why sharing lived experience makes emotional healing possible.

04:40 – Technology meets compassion: smarter survivor matching
Darcie explains how new tools and algorithms help CanCare connect patients with the right survivor faster.

05:40 – Building emotional support into oncology care
Susan Sabo Wagner shares how the American Oncology Network partners with CanCare to meet patients’ emotional needs alongside medical treatment.

06:36 – A leukemia survivor’s journey to leadership
Susan recounts being diagnosed with AML as a teen and how that experience shaped her mission to help others through innovation and empathy.

08:05 – Whole-family support: when cancer affects everyone
Darcie and Susan explore how caregivers, spouses, and children need guidance too—and why supporting them improves outcomes.

10:15 – “Having someone who understands is priceless”
Darcie reflects on the life-changing reassurance patients feel when talking to someone who’s walked the same road.

11:34 – Hope as powerful medicine
Darcie shares research showing patients with strong emotional support often experience better survival and recovery.

12:13 – Younger patients, more treatable cancers, new hope
Dr. Drew discusses how rising diagnoses in younger adults are met with advances in precision medicine and targeted treatments.

13:05 – Why connection matters more than ever
The conversation closes with a message that technology and science may guide treatment, but compassion carries people through it.

Mentioned Resources:

CanCare- www.cancare.org

Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook

About the Guest:  

Dr. Drew Pinsky is the host of Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew, where he brings medical insight and heartfelt conversation to today’s most important health topics. A board-certified physician and addiction specialist, Dr. Drew is known for making complex issues relatable and empowering audiences to take charge of their well-being.

Susan Sabo-Wagner is the Vice President of Clinical Innovation at American Oncology Network (AON) and a leukemia survivor.  With over 25 years in oncology care and leadership, she leads clinical strategy, program innovation, and partnerships that elevate patient outcomes nationwide. Her personal experience as a survivor fuels her commitment to advancing compassionate, equitable cancer care.

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Ep 48

Stage III at 43

with Kristy Bradshaw
What does it take to face a cancer diagnosis in your 40s while raising young children? Kristy Bradshaw, MBA graduate from Stanford, former ballerina, and portfolio management professional, shares her stage three colon cancer journey diagnosed at age 43. In this conversation, she opens up about early detection, mental health in cancer, caregiver experiences, and the importance of support systems. Kristy’s turning point came unexpectedly during a routine procedure that revealed cancer despite no symptoms or risk factors. What followed was surgery, chemotherapy, and the emotional weight of navigating uncertainty while parenting three young children. She speaks honestly about the loneliness of diagnosis, the shock of progression to stage three, and the mental strength required to keep moving forward. Throughout her journey, Kristy leaned on faith, family, and community. She highlights practical tools like staying active when possible, maintaining normal routines for her children, and finding small moments of gratitude even during treatment. Her experience later deepened as she stepped into a caregiver role for her father. Her message is simple and powerful. You are not alone. There is support. And even in the hardest moments, hope can still be found. Highlights: • Why early screening matters more than ever for younger adults • How to talk to your children about a cancer diagnosis • What no one tells you about the mental side of treatment • Simple ways to stay grounded during chemo and recovery • How community and shared experience change the journey Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook About the Guest: Kristy Bradshaw is a Stage III colon cancer survivor, former ballerina turned Stanford MBA and portfolio manager whose life took an unexpected turn in 2023 when she received her diagnosis at age 43. A wife, mother of three, community leader, and philanthropist. Since then, she has watched cancer touch the lives of those closest to her, including her father, and has chosen to step forward with her cancer journey. Kristy is the 2026 Chair of CanCare's HOPE Survivorship Luncheon.
Ep 47

Feeding Hope, Finding Strength

with Patrice Surely
What if the key to healing isn’t just treatment, but how you support your body along the way? We are joined by Patrice Surley, oncology nutritionist and functional health expert with over 25 years of experience helping patients strengthen their bodies during cancer care. Patrice blends evidence-based nutrition with whole-person support, working alongside medical teams to improve outcomes and quality of life. Her journey began with her own health struggles, where diet and lifestyle changes made a real difference. That personal turning point shaped her belief that healing starts by meeting each person where they are and helping them take simple, meaningful steps forward. Patrice explains the concept of immuno stress and how factors like poor nutrition, sleep, and emotional strain can weaken the immune system. She shares practical tools such as increasing colorful fruits and vegetables, prioritizing protein, and addressing root causes instead of masking symptoms. Her work focuses on reducing side effects, improving tolerance to treatment, and helping patients feel more in control. Her message is clear and hopeful. Healing takes time. Small changes matter. Stay open, stay consistent, and trust that progress is possible even in the hardest moments. Highlights: How small nutrition changes can unlock big shifts in recovery Why treating root causes can improve cancer treatment outcomes What immuno stress means and how it affects healing How to work with your medical team for whole-person care Why simple habits often outperform complicated health plans Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook Patrice’s website - https://www.patricesurley.com/ About the Guest: Patrice Surley is an oncology nutritionist and functional health expert with more than 25 years of experience helping people heal from the inside out. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based care, but what truly sets her apart is her heart: the way she listens, partners with patients, and helps them understand what their bodies need to restore balance and strength. Patrice works alongside oncologists, functional medicine doctors, and organizations like Do Cancer, helping patients build care teams that support the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
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