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A Cure In Sight (ACIS) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of those affected by ocular melanoma. Through education, patient support programs, advocacy, and research funding, ACIS works to raise awareness and accelerate progress toward better treatments and outcomes.
The Eye Believe Podcast, hosted by A Cure In Sight, brings together patients, caregivers, researchers, and medical professionals to share stories, discuss advances in ocular melanoma research, and highlight the strength of the community. The podcast’s mission is to inform, inspire, and give a voice to those impacted by ocular melanoma.
Episodes
Saturday Nov 12, 2022
Saturday Nov 12, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Dr. Kristin Markell, M.D., an integrative women’s health provider, to discuss the importance of self-compassion in times of high stress.
Dr. Kristin Markell is a double board-certified Integrative Gynecologist practicing in Fayetteville, Arkansas. As a practicing OB/GYN for over a decade, she began experiencing burnout symptoms. While researching and exploring ways to support her health, she found integrative and functional medicine and the personalized options available to diagnose and treat the root cause of her symptoms. After noticing amazing changes taking place in her own health- mind, body and spirit, she knew she had to learn more for herself, her family and her patients. Now, after completing an Integrative Medicine Fellowship at the University of Arizona, she uses the tools of integrative, conventional, and functional medicine to guide women to rediscover their whole self, with a focus on enjoying the special, simple, sacred moments with their loved ones, prioritizing ease and deep contentment, finding their inner power, delighting in life, and healing themselves from burnout, stress, and dis-ease. To learn more about her programs and how to work with her, check out www.kristinmarkellmd.com.
You can find her and follow her content on Instagram here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
In this session, participate in a live group music therapy session and learn about the benefits of music in healing and stress management with Carrie Friddell.
Carrie Friddell, MT-BC, NMT, is a Nationally Board Certified Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapist. She earned her Music Therapy Board Certification in 2005 and has served both children and adult populations. Additionally, she is a licensed Music Together center director.
The end of the session uses a host of songs to encourage meditation.
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Dr. Stone presents on childhood development, and what are developmentally appropriate responses to navigating ocular melanoma as a family. A patient panel also is consulted to discuss various approaches to talking to kids about cancer, from young children to adults.
Dr. Caitlin Stone received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and child development from Tufts University. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Stone currently serves as a child psychologist for the children's hospital at Vanderbilt.
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
In this session, Anne helps patients and caregivers work through the process of being “in the waiting room." An OM diagnosis is chalk full of uncertainty. Anne walks patients and caregivers alike through the processing and caring of ourselves in this state of limbo.
Anne Osborn, author, grew up in the shadows of OM when her mother died of OM. Forty years later, she, was diagnosed with OM, Class 2. She spent her career in human services and trained as a psychotherapist. Her specialties include initially being a children’s therapist specializing in needs impacting the ability to learn in education and she is currently a retired marriage and family therapist. Simultaneously she began leading an emergency team for law enforcement and fire personnel over nearly three decades, ‘when bad things happen to them, we go in’. She manages her stress with long distances, both in running and bicycling, though now, as a Master Gardener, much time is spent in Nature. Her passions outside of family and friends include travel, writing, and being of service. Her book, Coping with Ocular Melanoma: A Toolbox is published and available for purchase at the store. All proceeds from her book go directly to patient care.
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Katariina McCrea from Cookeville, TN to discuss being newly diagnosed with mets (cancer spread) 15 months after her initial eye diagnosis and treatment.
Due to the nature of her diagnosis, and a few nuances that are unique to her story, this was both a shock, and not a shock–but Kat shares how she has been coping, some of the thought process her medical team has approached treatment with, and how she copes on the day to day.
A few highlights from her journey so far:
- initially diagnosed with a retina detachment later found to be a massive choroidal/ciliary body tumor
- successful brachytherapy, tempered by the news of a difficult biopsy result: class 2, prame positive, with many genetic mutation markers
- starting an adjuvant clinical trial with the hope of reducing the chance of future spread, and helping further research for someone else
- receiving the news this month that 2 spots, long seen as stable, had grown and there were many micro-metastases throughout the liver
- what treatment options were given and why?
- how do you keep going forward despite all odds?
Living with mets is something most of us dread as omies, but it is a reality for far too many. If you’re also willing to share your journey of living with metastatic uveal melanoma, please email danet@acureinsight.org to be featured on the podcast or social media platforms.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Presley Jackson and his mom, Stephanie to discuss coming of age with a rare cancer diagnosis.
This month is #childhoodcancerawarenessmonth and there are few more brave than kids tackling a cancer diagnosis.
Please consider sharing this episode and or starting a fundraiser for ACIS on your page to help us ensure patients have the resources they need, as well as funds for future research for #ocularmelanoma
All #pediatriccancer is rare. In the #ocularmelanoma world, it’s even more rare to be born with OM or to experience a diagnosis in childhood.
Presley Jackson was diagnosed at 13 years old.
We wanted to share what he wrote in honor of #nationalbraveday and #childhoodcancerawareness
"If I had to recount a time I faced a challenge or setback I would think back to November of 2018 when I started the battle with the biggest challenge I have and probably will ever face.
This challenge would be my battle with the super rare cancer called ocular melanoma. The cancer and the treatment I received to fight this cancer would ultimately destroy the vision in my right eye rendering me practically blind. This would be my first major setback, because it impacted the biggest part of my life, baseball. I have played baseball since I was 5 years old. It is my pride and joy, and really my life. I love baseball. So when I returned to baseball in the spring of 2019 it was not the same as before.
The cancer had ruined both my depth perception and my reaction time. This made playing baseball exceptionally hard and practically banned me from pitching. Slowly but surely, with hours of practice and work I would make my way back to the mound and back to the standard of playing I was at before my diagnosis. I continue to raise my standards still to this day and continue to push my limits and defy the odds. I may not be the best pitcher, but I give it everything I have got.
Other setbacks would come in my everyday life. I have now become very light sensitive and fragile in a way. I get severe ocular migraines that affect the vision in my good eye as well. My cancer and subsequent radiation treatment took everything my body had, so normal illnesses like Covid, the flu and even the common cold are much worse on me. I also have to deal with hundreds of doctors appointments, scans and travel for treatment. This causes me to miss a lot of school and a lot of normal kid life.
Through everything this challenge has thrown at me, I continue to live my life to the fullest and have even learned some very valuable lessons from it. I learned that no one is promised tomorrow, so you have to make every single moment count. I started a project called the Polaroid Project to help me capture these memories. The second lesson I learned is that family is everything. Having the full support of my family has enabled me to fully believe that anything is possible. Which brings me to my final and most important lesson, nothing is truly impossible."
Presley Jackson Ponce September 21st, 2022
Thank you Presley for your bravery and honesty in sharing your story.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Anna Malloch and her mom, Wendy, to discuss being a freshman in college at the time of diagnosis.
Due to the nature of her diagnosis and other complications, she noted they experienced 39 appointments in a single year!
Anna shares her story below–tune in to hear more!
“My name is Anna Malloch, I am an OM survivor. I was diagnosed in April of 2020 right when covid lockdown hit. I was 19 years old in my freshman year at Auburn University. About a month into lockdown and the transition to online classes I noticed that my vision was starting to fade in my left eye and noticing flashers. I was able to get an appointment with my primary eye doctor the next Monday. From there I was sent to a retina specialist in Montgomery that afternoon. Who then referred me to a doctor in Atlanta and I was there within two days. This is where we were able to find that the mass was completely solid and was then told I had ocular melanoma. Luckily, we caught it early enough to be able to have the option of a radiation plaque which I did the next week. And from what we can see I have made a full recovery and the tumor and reduced to over half of its size.
Favorite Song: Maverick City Music “Fear is Not My Future” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulFGXnASE4Q
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Saturday Sep 17, 2022
Saturday Sep 17, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Cynthia Hayes, author of the book, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡: 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙞𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧. Cynthia is a new connection from the #ASCO22 conference attendance this summer.
A former journalist, Harvard-trained management consultant, and hospital executive, Cynthia is the author of 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡: 𝙐𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙞𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧.
Since recovering from her own ordeal, she has helped raise awareness of the shared emotional experience of cancer, the physical drivers of that experience, and how to cope with it all.
When not speaking or writing about cancer emotions, she volunteers as a peer mentor to newly diagnosed patients, is an avid tennis player and adventure traveler, and lives in New York City with her adoring husband and shih tzu puppy.
Come ready to dive into and understand The Emotional Turmoil of Cancer. We'll be learning about the typical emotional experience that can help you appreciate that you are not alone and help you better anticipate— and manage—the days ahead. Most importantly, hear what experts have to say and how others who have been through it have coped with the emotional fallout of the disease.
The graphic of the rollercoaster is linked here: https://thebigordeal.com/chart/
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lookin’ For a Cure Arizona 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
COMING UP September 24, 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option coming soon)
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by Lindsay (Lind-SAY) Brown here on the Eye Believe Podcast to discuss what it’s like to be on the Receiving End of Safe Surgery.
Here's a glimpse into her journey so far:
"The day after I returned from a family vacation in San Diego, CA back to Minnesota I went to the eye doctor. I thought I had been experiencing optical migraine symptoms-- blurry double vision, aura, shadow. At my appointment, he was surprised at how much my prescription had changed and I mentioned to him the slow-motion shooting star that I had been seeing for nearly a year and his expression changed at that moment. This was the day I found out my life was about to change in big ways.
Reality with OM is sometimes hard to grasp. What I do know is that it's unfair to have to try and process this type of diagnosis while preparing for the life-changing treatments that are available for it in such a short amount of time. There was a period of two weeks between diagnosis of OM and my enucleation surgery. What I also know is that I am also grateful for the skilled surgeons and the attention to detail of the Sterile Processing staff in hospital and ambulatory surgery settings. I put my life in their hands when I underwent enucleation surgery and I want more people to understand the behind-the-scenes heroes in safe surgery."
Tune in for a unique story!
Her favorite book she shared is “Think Again” by Adam Grant, and the band she tunes into for happy music is Seryn.
You can connect with Linds here on Instagram or Facebook.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lookin’ For a Cure Arizona 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
COMING UP September 24, 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option coming soon)
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.
Friday Aug 26, 2022
Friday Aug 26, 2022
A Cure in Sight is joined by fellow OM patient, Lori Jones, who was diagnosed with a choroidal ocular melanoma in June of 2016. She developed metastatic spread in August of 2019. Tune in to hear more about her journey with an integrative metabolic approach to manage her metastatic spread.
“In June of 2016 I was diagnosed with uveal melanoma. There was a large 10 mm tumor in the Choroid of my eye. Within 3 weeks I had radiation plaque therapy. The treatment was successful and the tumor was dead. Through genetic testing of the tumor, I learned that I had a moderate chance of metastasis.
It took me about 2.5 years to be ready to prepare my body for that metastasis. My sister was urging me to talk with a friend who helped her husband use an integrative approach while fighting brain cancer.
I did, and this led me to reading The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Nasha Winters and Jess Higgins and Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly Turner. I started making adjustments immediately.
Six months later, in August of 2019, I was told I metastasized.
What I appreciate most about this approach is that the focus is on LIVING. It is about being healthy and happy. Ironically, I am healthier than I have been in over 20 years. It is about enjoying life and treating your body right. It is about enjoying the earth and feeling the connection to our universe. It is about resolving and letting go of old pain, anger, resentment and moving forward emotionally. I often think, “What if I get away with treating my cancer this way?”
It feels like I am cheating. As far as I know, I am the only person in the US fighting Uveal Melanoma metastasis this way. That’s a little scary and sometimes exhilarating. It makes me want to scream it from the mountain tops and inform people that there IS another way.”
Things to keep in mind from this episode:
1. Consider reading the books referenced above as a preface to learn more.
- If you do embark upon this journey, seek out help from trained physicians who can link up with your oncology team and create the best unique care plan for your body and your genetic make up.
Head to https://mtih.org/ to connect directly with Dr. Nasha Winters, author of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer, and with members of her practitioner team across the country.
You can connect directly with Lori Jones on Facebook here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Lookin’ For a Cure Arizona 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
COMING UP September 24, 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option coming soon)
Eye Believe Survivorship Seminar in Nashville, Tennessee
October 14-15. REGISTER HERE! (Welcome reception for in person attendees on October 13, 6:00 PM)
(Virtual and in person options.)
Lookin’ For a Cure TEXAS 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma
NOVEMBER 5, 2022; 8 AM
Register here and be sure to bring friends and family to walk with us! (Virtual option available)
Lookin’ For a Cure LA 5K Walk for Ocular Melanoma in memory of Laurie Walters
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
REGISTER here and feel free to bring friends and family along! (virtual options available)
Email contact@acureinsight.org for questions regarding any upcoming events!
*********
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, or Instagram @acureinsight, for more stories, tips, research news, and ideas to help you navigate this journey with OM!
*A Cure in Sight is a 501c3 organization. All donations made can help fund our podcast to educate patients, fund research, aid patients, and more!
Donate $10 $15 $20 today to help A Cure in Sight in their quest to find a cure.
Contribute via PAYPAL OR VENMO or reach out directly to contact@acureinsight.org
The Eye Believe Podcast is brought to you by Castle Biosciences. Castle Biosciences is a leading diagnostics company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care. The Company aims to transform disease management by keeping people first: patients, clinicians, employees and investors.
This podcast was hosted by Danet Peterson and produced by Page Fronczek.