HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Sumati Ram-Mohan, Vice President of Upstage Lung Cancer

Why did singer and cabaret performer Hildy Grossman launch Upstage Lung Cancer 18
years ago? In this episode, Hildy describes how a fluke accident resulted in early detection of
her lung cancer and put her on a life-changing path. When faced with an early diagnosis, Hildy
didn’t just ask "Why me?"—she asked, "What now?" She realized that while anyone with lungs
can get lung cancer, not everyone has a stage to fight it. Thus, Upstage Lung Cancer was created
as the only lung cancer organization to exclusively produce concerts and the performing arts to
raise awareness, reduce stigma and fund cutting edge medical research.
In a meeting of Art & Science, our guest, Sumati Ram-Mohan, a scientist and dancer, shares her
story of how and why she reached out to Hildy. Now the Vice President of Upstage Lung
Cancer, Sumati discusses how her experience in lung research and her passion for the stage help
move this organization forward. Among other things, this podcast series, now ranked in the top
5 out of 40 lung cancer podcasts, was created to be both engaging, enjoyable and
informative. They discuss almost two decades of outreach and impact, ending with a look ahead
to this year's Fall Concert – an evening of joy aimed at this difficult disease.

We thank our sponsors Lilly, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Revolution Medicines, Boehringer
Ingelheim, and Takeda for their generous support of our podcast series Backstage @ Upstage.

HOST: Hildy Grossman CO-HOST, Jordan Rich

Guests: Justin Gainor, MD, Director of Targeted Immunotherapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital and David Barbie, MD, Director of the Barbie Lab at Dana Farber Cancer Institute Targeting Innate Immunity in Cancer

Lung cancer has long been one of the most complex and difficult cancers to treat. But what if we could outsmart it—not just with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, but by training the immune system itself? This episode explores a revolutionary question: Could a vaccine change the future of lung cancer? To shed light on answers to this question are Dr. Justin Gainor, whose interest is in vaccine development, and Dr. David Barbie, who returns to Backstage @ Upstage to explain how the immune system responds to cancer. Our renowned guests describe the challenges of creating a therapeutic vaccine and why a preventative vaccine is less likely to succeed. They detail how the immune system’s delicate operations need to be understood to successfully develop a vaccine to treat lung cancer. Moreover, you’ll want to hear about the groundbreaking promise of “personalized vaccines” tailored to an individual’s unique genomic markers, and how these cutting-edge vaccines will change the future of oncology forever.

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Jessica Lin, MD., Sarah Craig, Frank Marotta

Hearing the diagnosis of Stage 4 can be devastating, but today, it is no longer the final word. More people are living with Stage 4 lung cancer than ever before, thanks to a revolution in innovative treatments, immunotherapy and precision medicine.
Join us for a profoundly moving and informative episode. Sarah Craig, 31 years old with a cough and Frank Marotta, reporting to his geriatrician concerns about memory loss, share the terrifying moment they heard their diagnosis of advanced lung cancer. They graciously share their personal lung cancer journeys and where they found hope.
Renowned medical oncologist Dr. Jessica Lin answers the difficult questions: How does lung cancer metastasize, and how does a doctor compassionately deliver a life-altering diagnosis? She shares her approach to guiding patients through their darkest moments. Dr. Lin also describes how cutting-edge tools like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and PD-L1 testing are now standard biomarker evaluations, fundamentally shifting care from generalized chemo to truly personalized targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Learn how this new era of evaluation and treatment is bringing tangible hope to those who need it most.

How a silent killer invades our homes and our genes

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUESTS: Jackie Nixon, Citizens for Radon Reduction; Jane Malone, National Policy Director Indoor Environments Association; Khadijah Mitchell, Ph.D., Temple University, School of Public Health
Your DNA is not a fixed blueprint. Dr. Khadijah Mitchell elucidates epigenetics, showing that our environment and behaviors can “flip switches” on our genes, turning them on or off.
But what happens when that environment is toxic?

Enter a silent, invisible threat: radon. This naturally occurring radioactive gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer and seeps into 1 in 15 homes. For lung cancer survivor and activist, Jackie Nixon, this statistic is deeply personal. She shares her powerful story and her fight to educate others.

This podcast isn’t just a science lesson; it’s a story of survival and a crucial public health warning. Hear from environmental advocate Jane Malone on why simple testing is vital and the need for life-saving regulations that are still missing in many high-risk states.
This episode is a powerful mix of cutting-edge science and real-world action. Discover how to protect your home with a simple, inexpensive kit and how you can help.

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Chi Fu Jeffrey Yang. MD, Thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, Professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School
For any cancer patient facing surgery, there are always questions and worries. Hildy interviews an outstanding thoracic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, Chi Fu Jeffrey yang, MD. They discuss the current trends in lung cancer surgery, particularly the movement from taking as much tissue as possible to taking as little lung tissue as possible. This trend has not been without conflict and disagreement. Recent studies show that, for earlier stages, taking a wedge is preferable to taking an entire lobe. Dr. Yang delves into why and explains the different ways surgery is conducted. The goal of this, and all our podcasts, is to provide accurate and current information for patients, providers and caregivers. Please listen and share with anyone you know facing surgical treatment for their cancer.

From Lung Cancer Patient to Full Time Advocate

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Dusty Donaldson, Lung Cancer Patient Advocate, LiveLung Founder
At fifty-one, Dusty’s life was a whirlwind. A mother of three, she was also juggling a full-time career and graduate school when a lung cancer diagnosis stopped everything in its tracks. Her treatment included the surgical removal of two lobes of her lung and adjuvant chemotherapy. Now, twenty years later, with no recurrence, Dusty has gone from patient to full-time advocate. Her determination has led her to establish a national lung cancer organization dedicated to creating patient and caregiver groups, offering vital education and providing community for those facing this disease. In September 2025, to celebrate survival, she’ll take off for a road trip around the US in her “Skan Van” to raise awareness about early detection and the urgent need for research funding. She’ll join Hildy in Boston for Upstage Lung Cancer’s concert in October. How did she do all this? Listen to this inspiring story.

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Jacy Dawn Valeras, Award-winning Television Host, Producer, Podcaster and Music Business Executive

Hildy welcomes Jacy Dawn Valeras—television host, producer, music business executive, and podcaster with over 25 years of experience in the industry. Jacy shares her life-long dream of becoming a country music singer. With her father’s encouragement, family’s support, and her own determination and talent, she succeeded in sharing the stage with some of country music’s biggest names.

But just as her star was rising, a vocal cord injury forced her to stop singing—for at least a year. Overcome and unsure of her future, Jacy faced a turning point. By refusing to give up, she found a new way to channel her love for country music: writing songs and helping other artists shine. She also mastered digital marketing, launched her own successful business, and began guiding performers at every stage of their careers.

Her journey didn’t stop there. Jacy now hosts a popular podcast where she interviews high-profile guests about their paths to success. What’s more, in honor of her father who ultimately lost his life to lung cancer, she works tirelessly as a passionate advocate for Upstage Lung Cancer to raise awareness and inspire hope.
Tune in to hear the powerful story of a woman with true grit, resilience, and a deep love for music that never quit—even when life tried to stop her.

Voicing New Reasons for Optimism

HOST: Hildy Grossman, CO-HOST: Jordan Rich
GUEST: Maida Mangiameli, Dusty Donaldson, Misty Shields, MD, Ph.D., and Ann Steagall

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer with a 5-year survival rate of just 7%, a disheartening statistic. Despite this, survivors, researchers, and the medical community are actively working to create a more hopeful future. In this powerful podcast episode, we bring together a diverse team of guests to discuss stories of survival, groundbreaking treatments, and renewed reasons for hope. You’ll hear from:
• Maida Mangiameli, an inspiring SCLC survivor who’s been in remission for 8 years, so far.
• Dr. Misty Shields, a physician-scientist specializing in SCLC within her oncology practice who also shares a personal story.
• Dusty Donaldson, a lung cancer survivor and patient-advocate whose organization provides crucial support groups for SCLC patients.
• Ann Steagall, a dedicated nurse navigator who guides patients through their diagnosis and treatment journey.
Join us for a lively discussion that sheds light on the progress being made and the hope that exists for those facing small cell lung cancer.