In this episode of Cancer Talks, Kristen Hackbarth sits down with Natalie Stevenson, founder of Cancer Community Clubhouse, to discuss the often-overlooked realities of cancer survivorship. Natalie shares her personal journey from an early breast cancer diagnosis to living with stage 4 metastatic disease, and how her own experience navigating isolation, emotional challenges and long-term treatment side effects inspired her to build a community-based support system for cancer survivors in northern Nevada.
The conversation explores the gaps that often exist between cancer treatment and survivorship care, including mental health support, physical rehabilitation, peer connection and long-term quality of life. Natalie explains how Cancer Community Clubhouse has grown from a grassroots effort into a thriving community resource serving hundreds of participants each month through fitness programs, support groups, counseling, wellness activities and survivorship education.
Kristen and Natalie also discuss the importance of referrals from clinicians, the unique challenges faced by young survivors, the need to engage more men in survivorship programs and the growing role of community organizations in helping people navigate life after cancer.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why survivorship begins at diagnosis and continues throughout a person’s life
The emotional impact many survivors experience after treatment ends
How community-based support complements medical care
The role of fitness, mental health services and peer support in survivorship
Common long-term side effects survivors may face years after treatment
Why referrals to supportive services are critical for patient outcomes
How Cancer Community Clubhouse is expanding access through virtual programming and new services
About our guest
Natalie Stevenson is the founder and executive director of Cancer Community Clubhouse, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by cancer. A breast cancer survivor herself, Natalie launched the organization after experiencing firsthand the lack of survivorship resources available in northern Nevada. Today, Cancer Community Clubhouse provides free and low-cost programs focused on fitness, mental health, wellness and peer support for people impacted by all types of cancer.
Resources
Learn more about Cancer Community Clubhouse: cancercommunityclubhouse.org
Learn more about Nevada Cancer Coalition: nevadacancercoalition.org
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