When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, families are faced with emotions, daily changes, and the challenge of finding light in the midst of darkness. In this episode, subject matter expert Erica Sirrine talks with Shane and Ashley Timmons about their daughter Ophie’s journey with a brain tumor and the realities of caregiving through uncertainty. 

Shane and Ashley share what it was like to navigate the early days of diagnosis, the ongoing medical complexities, and the daily process of holding both grief and hope. They discuss how their family learned to recognize and celebrate small victories, the importance of community support, and the intentional steps they take to seek out moments of joy—even on the hardest days. Erica offers insights into coping with loss, balancing family and sibling needs, and finding light through connection and vulnerability.  

A special thank you to our host and expert, Erica Sirrine, director of Social Work at St. Jude, and to our guests, parents Shane and Ashley Timmons. 

This episode was recorded September 23, 2025.  

Learn more about Ophie’s diagnosis of anaplastic PFA ependymoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™. 

Learn more about Avastin®, feeding tubes, and radiation therapy on Together by St. Jude™. 
St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast. 

Emotional wellbeing involves being present, having courage, and focusing on what’s important—even in tough times. But emotional health may look different when a child has a serious illness, especially if emotional health needs were there before diagnosis. 
 
In this episode, Clay Culp and Kendra Parris talk with caregiver Patricia LeBlanc and her daughter Sophie about emotional health while Sophie was going through treatment. Sophie was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 12. Kendra talks about the importance of taking care of yourself before you can take care of your child. Patricia discusses how her vision for Sophie’s life had to shift and explains how they embraced times to play and have fun together. Sophie talks about how her confidence grew and how she learned to manage her anxiety. The group explores the importance of sharing your burdens and getting support.  
 
A special thank you to our host, Clay Culp, senior social worker at St. Jude; our expert Kendra Parris, associate member of the St. Jude faculty in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences; and Patricia and Sophie LeBlanc. 
 
This episode was recorded August 1, 2025. 
 
Learn more about Sophie’s diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™. 
 
Learn more about Psychology and Mental Health Services and wound vac therapy on Together by St. Jude™. 
 
A halo brace (or halo vest), mentioned in this episode, is a brace used to keep the spine and neck from moving and protect them after surgery.  

If you’re feeling hopeless, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or chatting online for support.  
 
St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast. 

Some treatments for serious illness can affect a patient’s ability to have biological children later in life, but there are ways to protect fertility. When a child is seriously ill, fertility preservation is a tough but important topic to address.

In this episode, Mark Brown and Kari Bjornard talk with Evan Moore about fertility preservation when he was going through treatment. An elite NCAA track and cross-country athlete, Evan was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in his early 20s. Evan discusses the honest conversations he had with his mom and fiancée about preserving fertility. Kari offers insights into the timing, steps to take, talking to your care team, and other options for having a family. The group talks about staying positive and being with the people you love.

A special thank you to our host, Mark Brown, director of Spiritual Care Services at St. Jude; our expert Kari Bjornard, director of the Fertility Program and assistant member of the Oncology faculty at St. Jude; and patient Evan Moore.

This episode was recorded August 7, 2025. Stay tuned for a forthcoming episode on female fertility preservation decisions.

Learn more about Evan’s diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

Learn more about male fertility and female fertility on Together by St. Jude™.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.

Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects patients physically, emotionally, and socially. Even though sickle cell research and treatment have improved over the last several years, many are still learning about how this condition impacts the body and daily life.

In this episode, parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins talk with Tekeima Townsend-Billups and Jerlym Porter about going through sickle cell disease with their daughters Courtney and Nia. They discuss the invisible and unpredictable nature of the disease, dealing with pain crises, the importance of therapy, and advocating for their children.

A special thank you our host, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert, Jerlym Porter, associate member of the St. Jude faculty in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences; and parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins.

Learn more about Courtney and Nia’s diagnosis of sickle cell disease and the transition to adult health care on Together by St. Jude™.

The statistics that Quenton mentions on sickle cell disease in the U.S. can be found on the CDC’s website.

Discover more insights into Nia’s journey on the Together blog.

This episode was recorded May 15, 2025.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.

Sleep can be hard for both the patient and family when a child is sick. Sleep problems are common in children with serious illnesses. Trouble sleeping could be caused by treatment, medicines, or the effects of illness. But getting sleep is very important for healing and recovery.

In this episode, Erica Sirrine and Valerie Crabtree talk with parents Andy and Caitlin about how they managed to get sleep when their son Max (now age 5) was going through treatment for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). Andy and Caitlin explain how they reached a compromise on sleeping arrangements at home. Valerie emphasizes that there is no playbook to figuring out sleep for your family. The group talks about the pressure to do things perfectly, and the joy of a simple nighttime song. Listeners will hear expert advice on routine, screen time, using melatonin as sleep aid, and co-sleeping.

A special thank you to our host, Erica Sirrine, director of social work at St. Jude; our expert Valerie Crabtree, vice president of Psychosocial Services at St. Jude and a pediatric psychologist who specializes in sleep; and parents Andy and Caitlin.

This episode was recorded April 24, 2025.

Learn more about Max’s diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) on St. Jude Care & Treatment.

Read about one patient’s sleep success story on the Together blog.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.

What does resilience mean when a child is sick? Clay Culp, Janet Sellers, and parent Sara Lohse talk about resilience, or the ability to bounce back, when a child has a serious illness. Sara says “resilient” is the last thing she felt as her family navigated her daughter Madi’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. She shares one of the hardest moments their family experienced. The group talks about how resilience can mean acceptance and taking the next step.

A special thank you to our host Clay Culp, senior social worker at St. Jude; Janet Sellers, manager of the St. Jude Staff Resilience Center; and parent Sara Lohse.

Learn more about Madi’s diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and emotional support and daily life on Together by St. Jude™.

This episode was recorded April 24, 2025.The book that Sara references in the episode is It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.

We're happy to present season 3 of Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude podcast. Hear from families and health care providers as they share personal stories and offer support to those caring for a child with a serious illness.

At St. Jude, we understand the challenges that families face during this difficult time, and we are committed to providing resources to help. Each episode of the podcast focuses on S.H.A.R.E—Supporting, Honoring, Advising, Reflecting, and Encouraging caregivers.

The first episode of Season 3 will drop on July 17, 2025. 

In this episode, Brenda Stephens and Erica Sirrine talk about loss and keeping memories alive. Brenda’s daughter Emily died of cancer at age 23. Brenda discusses navigating the first year after Emily died, the ways her family keeps Emily’s light alive, and being mentored by other parents through the journey. Brenda and Erica emphasize the importance of allowing oneself to feel, creating new traditions, and continuing to tell Emily’s story and celebrate her life. Brenda encourages other grieving parents to turn grief into love and give to others.

A special thank you to our moderator, Erica Sirrine, social work director at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Brenda Stephens.

Learn more about grief and bereavement on Together by St. Jude™.This episode was recorded on 04/26/24. 

In this episode, Carol Bailey and her daughter Katie talk with child life specialist Heather Haluska about going through cancer during the teen years. Katie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia when she was a senior in high school. She continues to deal with chronic health conditions related to her diagnosis. Katie shares how she handled missing out on teenage experiences, used creativity as an outlet, and learned to advocate for herself in medical settings. Carol discusses learning to take time for herself. Both mother and daughter highlight the importance of communication and listening, even when they could only communicate through eye contact.

A special thank you to our moderator, Heather Haluska, child life specialist at St. Jude; our parent caregiver, Carol Bailey; and patient, Katie Bailey.Learn more about Katie’s diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on Together by St. Jude™.This episode was recorded on 04/04/2024.

Elnora Lee describes her 17-year journey with 3 school-age daughters navigating cancer. She talks with Randy Thompson of the St. Jude Imagine Academy about learning challenges, relationship challenges, and the importance of having compassion and empathy. She offers tips for helping a school-age child retain multiplication facts and turning trips to the store into learning experiences. Elnora emphasizes the importance of setting the tone, being firm, and focusing on the future.

A special thank you to our moderator, Randy Thompson, STEMM coordinator, Imagine Academy by Chili’s at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Elnora Lee.

Learn more about brain and spinal cord tumors on Together by St. Jude™.

This episode was recorded on 08/05/24.

In this episode, Ela Molina talks with Jen Harman about Ela’s daughter’s experience with cancer. Isa Molina was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 22 months old. Jen was Ela and Isa’s psychologist at St. Jude while Isa went through treatment. Ela and Jen reflect on that time. They offer tips for using play, setting limits, keeping a routine, and using positive reinforcement with young children. Ela highlights how helpful child life and music therapy were for Isa in the hospital. For parents and caregivers, Jen and Ela emphasize the importance of helping others through finding their own calling.

A special thank you to our moderator, Jen Harman, formerly Assistant Director of the Psychology Clinic at St. Jude, and our parent caregiver, Ela Molina.

Learn more about Isa’s diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on Together by St. Jude™.

This episode was recorded on 05/22/2024.

ShaQuitta McGhee and Jessica Watts reflect on how they supported their other children while their child was sick. ShaQuitta discusses how she relied on family and a counselor. She admits she didn’t always get it right when parenting her daughter, Reign Bella, and her sons at the same time. Jessica sheds light on how she found ways to include her younger son in family activities when he couldn’t be involved in her older son Charlie’s treatment. Both women share the importance of relishing moments together and celebrating the ones we love.

A special thank you to our moderator, Ashley Carr, child life specialist at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers, ShaQuitta McGhee and Jessica Watts.

In this episode, Wes and Kady Shell talk about how they kept their marriage strong and remained close while their daughter Hattie went through an extended ICU stay. Wes and Cady discuss how they learned to let go, meet their spouse where they were, and check in often. One is an early riser and one of them is a night owl. This fact that used to irritate them became key in taking shifts in the ICU. Their differences became their strengths.

A special thank you to our moderator, Clay Culp, social worker at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers, Wesley and Kady Shell.

Learn more about Hattie’s diagnosis of anaplastic large cell lymphoma on Together by St. Jude™.

This episode was recorded on 04/04/2024.

We are happy to present season 2 of Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude podcast. Hear from families and health care providers as they share personal stories and offer support to those caring for a child with a serious illness.

At St. Jude, we understand the challenges that families face during this difficult time, and we are committed to providing resources to help. Each episode of the podcast focuses on S.H.A.R.E—Supporting, Honoring, Advising, Reflecting, and Encouraging caregivers.

The first episode of Season 2 will drop on September 12, 2024.

https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/patient-families/family-caregiver/caregivers-share-podcast.html

St. Jude Director of Spiritual Care Services Mark Brown talks with caregiver Nikole Sullivan. Listeners will learn how her family managed the holidays with a child in the hospital, created new memories, and embraced simple joys together. Nikole shares how she let go of the pressure that comes with the holiday season and navigated being apart from family members.

A special thank you to Mark Brown and our parent caregiver Nikole Sullivan.

The transition off therapy can be socially and psychosocially challenging. Caregivers can have feelings of release and relief, but they can also be confused and overwhelmed. How can you take care of your mental health while ensuring the health of your child? LaChaka and Darick explore returning to work, managing finances, asking for help, and navigating strained relationships. They emphasize the importance of giving back by helping others with children who have serious illnesses. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.

When your child transitions off therapy, how do you know when to send them back to school? Emily, Darick, and LaChaka discuss how to confidently make that decision, as well as what accommodations might be needed, such as IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) or 504 plans. They speak about the importance of communicating openly with the care team, child life specialists, social workers, and school administrators. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.

The transition from a hospital care team to a local care team comes with its challenges. LaChaka and Darick map out the medical journey each of them took with their children’s treatment. LaChaka outlines how she kept her home pediatrician in the loop so that the transition went smoothly. Both caregivers offer tips on organizing medical records and teaching a child to take an active role in their own care. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.

When it’s time to transition off therapy, what happens next? While it might seem like an exciting time, the transition off therapy can come with anxiety and fear. Parents LaChaka and Darick share how they handled the emotional aspect of leaving the safety net of the hospital. They talk about the time required to process the experience and how they’ve been humbled by it. LaChaka and Darick reflect on hard emotions like survivor’s guilt. They also explain how creating a support net with other families helped them get through. A special thank you to Emily Browne, Transition Oncology Program Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers LaChaka Davis and Darick Hemphill.

Paula and Jason explore ways to find support during treatment, whether from the medical team, social workers, or others. They share the importance of advocating for yourself and your child and how important it is to speak up when you know something is not right. Jason and Paula explain how they responded to unsolicited medical advice during treatment, and when to ask for help from someone outside the care team. They point to self-care, connecting with patient families, and living in the moment as tools for making it through. A special thank you to our moderator, Erica Sirrine, Social Work Director at St. Jude, and our parent caregivers, Paula Elsener and Jason Winkle.