Diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in 2015, Sarah Fay's journey to being NED nearly a decade later highlights the life-saving potential of clinical trials. In this Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer episode, Sarah shares an honest and inspiring account of her experience—from navigating complex logistics to managing the emotional challenges. Tune in to explore the transformative impact of clinical trials and her story of resilience.

Multiple cancer survivor Lana Boes returns to Campfires of Hope to share a detailed account of her journey through clinical trials and inspire others to take charge of their health. Lana opens up about the mental and emotional challenges of facing a recurrence in May, after five years of being NED (No Evidence of Disease), and how the strength of her community helped her rediscover her light.

In this episode of Campfires of Hope, cancer survivors Janna Jones and Eileen VanCleave open up about the deeply human experience of compassion fatigue. We explore what it is, why acknowledging it matters, and how it affects survivors, caregivers, and those in helping roles. Janna and Eileen offer heartfelt insights on self-care, forgiveness, and the power of sharing the load. This candid conversation is a powerful reminder that stepping back is not a weakness—it’s a sometimes necessary act of strength.

Learn more about how Epic Experience empowers cancer survivors to live beyond cancer at www.epicexperience.org

Denny hails from Louisville, KY, and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in January 2022. Following treatment and surgery, he is now living life beyond cancer. Denny attended Epic Experience in March 2023, and it became a turning point — inspiring him to pay it forward by becoming a camp volunteer and supporting fellow survivors on their own journeys. A passionate advocate for the mental health side of cancer survivorship, Denny openly shares his story to bring hope and healing to others facing similar battles. Denny is married and the proud father of two boys. A former college baseball player at the University of Louisville, he stands 6’8” tall — hence the nickname “Stretch.” He’s a loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds and all things UofL athletics. We’re thrilled to welcome Denny as our Director of Programs and Alumni Engagement at Epic Experience!

Mark Hanson is a multiple myeloma survivor whose journey is one of resilience, struggle, and ultimately, renewal. While he was deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his family and medical team during treatment, the true challenge came afterward—adjusting back to “real life.” Like many men, Mark suffered in silence, feeling like "damaged goods" until his wife helped him recognize he was battling depression. Determined to not let cancer define his entire story, he sought support and discovered healing through Epic Experience’s adventure camp.

Now, Mark is sharing his story to inspire and uplift others, offering a message of hope to those facing the emotional and mental challenges of cancer survivorship—especially men who may feel alone in their struggles. His journey is proof that life beyond cancer is not just possible, but meaningful.

Learn more about how Epic Experience empowers cancer survivors to live beyond cancer at www.epicexperience.org

Despite experiencing trauma as a teenager and young adult, and being diagnosed with ovarian and uterine cancer in 2016—followed by breast cancer seven years later—Christen Clifford found her path to self-love and acceptance. During a time when she felt she had lost so much, she later realized that cancer had given her the gift of finding herself. She shares her transformational journey with us in this compelling episode of Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer.

Learn more about how Epic Experience empowers cancer survivors to live beyond cancer at www.epicexperience.org

At just 11 years old, Eric Goss was diagnosed with stage 3A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a battle that shaped his life for decades. Unable to cope effectively with the long-term psychological effects of survivorship, Eric proactively sought out answers until he discovered a unique study in 2021 that finally brought him clarity and healing. In this compelling episode of Campfires of Hope: Stories of Cancer, Eric shares his powerful journey through cancer and the transformative new perspective he’s gained.

Learn more about how Epic Experience empowers cancer survivors to live beyond cancer at www.epicexperience.org

Just 35 years old, Lauren Huffmaster was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, which subsequently progressed to stage 4. After what she describes as a period of despair, Lauren realized that she needed to do something to address the emotional and mental side effects that cancer had caused her.

“I will not live to die. I’ve got to start living to live and have a greater impact.” As a result, Lauren founded a non-profit organization called Adventure Therapy Foundation, whose mission is to minimize the emotional side effects of cancer, not just for the individual but for the whole family. Lauren tells us about the healing impact of adventure and the parallels it strikes with the cancer journey: “in adventure, we keep going because we expect something great in the end. We have to go through a lot of hard things to get there.”

Learn more about how Epic Experience empowers cancer survivors to live beyond cancer at www.epicexperience.org