Black Women Rising- The Untold Cancer Stories Podcast

In this special episode of Black Women Rising, we have a candid talk with Dr Aziza Sesay (@talkswithdrsesay) and cancer survivor Dawn Butler MP (@dawnbutlerbrent). The trio, specifically focus on people being aware of the many signs and symptoms of cancer and being body aware, with the aim to increase knowledge and understanding of cancer symptoms. Remember - if something in your body doesn't feel right, please contact your GP practice. It's probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable and can save lives. To find out more visit: nhs.uk/cancersymptoms 🔗Click the link in our bio to listen or watch 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Dawn Butler @dawnbutlerbrent and Dr Aziza Sessay @talkswithdrsessay 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves Collaborator @multicultural_mc

In this episode, Leanne was joined by Shalisha James Davis, a British actress currently in the popular soap "Casualty". Shalisha opens up to Leanne on how it has been for her being diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. The conversation touches on life before, during and post-diagnosis and how he has been navigating through everything since age 26. 🔗Click the link in our bio to listen or watch 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Shalisha James Davis @shalishajamesdavis 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

In this episode, Paul Campbell, the newly appointed CEO of Cancer Black Care, joined Leanne. Leanne speaks to him about his prostate cancer experience; he delves deeper into how it was going through cancer as a black man and male health stigma and also touches on Cancer Black Care and plans. 🔗Click the link in our bio to listen or watch 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Paul Campbell @Cancerblackcare 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

👉🏾In this episode, Leanne welcomed Lauren Mahon, the founder of Girl v Cancer, campaigner, and breast cancer survivor. Lauren, a friend of Leanne's and an ally of Black Women Rising from the early days, touches on her journey, her work, and the importance of allyship within the cancer industry. 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Lauren Mohan @Iamlaurenmahon 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

This episode features Cheryl Johnson, who has stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer, and Judith Nepital, who has stage 4 bile duct cancer. Leanne speaks with them both about their life before and now, touching on the impact and work they both do within the cancer industry and the change they want to see. 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Cheryl Johnson @cancerisadancingqueen and Judith Nepital @frommetoyou.aos 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

In this episode, Leanne is joined by Nellie and Deandra, who are both influencers who have been through breast cancer diagnoses. Leanne speaks with them about their journeys, what it is like being an influencer and navigating a diagnosis, motherhood, Deandra being pregnant when she was diagnosed and what kind of impact the experiences have had/are having on their lives. 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Nellie @Vintynellie and Deandra @Dea_paul 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

"Navigating Grief And Building A Legacy: S4 Ep3🎤

👉🏾In this episode, Leanne has a heartfelt, exclusive chat with Alex Newman aka Mr Gosling (Lol) the husband of our beautiful friend Nicky Newman, also known as @nicknacklou✨

In his first public interview since Nicky’s passing Alex touches on his experience of watching his incredible wife go through stage 4 cancer, the grief of losing her and her incredible legacy of projects, community and inspiration she has left in the world that he is keeping alive. 🙏🏾

It’s a beautiful watch and one not to be missed!

📝After podcast notes

👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial

🤎Guests: Alex Newman @anewman33

🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves

🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

This episode features Self-taught artist, photographer, filmmaker and broadcaster Simon Frederick, who has lived experience of bladder cancer. Leanne has an open conversation with Simon, touching on his journey, what it is like to be a public figure and a black man navigating cancer and how it has inspired his work. 📝After podcast notes 👩🏾Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial 🤎Guests: Simon Frederick @simonfrederick 🎬Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 🧡Sponsored by @palmersuk

Our first episode looks at the past, present, and future of Black Women Rising, featuring The Leanne Pero Foundation Chair Sharon Marshall-Green and Projects Lead Charlotte Crowl, who both have lived experiences of cancer and have been with the charity from the beginning. Leanne Pero, host and founder of TLPF, speaks with Sharon and Charlotte about their journeys through cancer, plus they discuss the growth of the Black Women Rising project and what it means to them to be a part of the team.

After podcast notes

Host: Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial

Guests: Sharon Marshall-Green and Charlotte Crowl @charlottecrowl

Filming/editing/ Production: Grey waves 

Sponsored by @palmersuk

For our final episode of the series our host Charlotte Crowl is joined by our founder Leanne Pero.

Leanne is a multi award winning entrepreneur and has been a businesswoman since she was 15 yrs old. Leanne's experience with breast cancer led her to start 'The Leanne Pero Foundation'.

Leanne shared a bit about her personal experience and spoke openly with Charlotte about survivorship.

After podcast notes:

Host & production - Charlotte Crowl

Guest @Leanneperoofficial

Mixed by @willlevison

Sponsored by @palmersuk

In this episode our host Charlotte Crowl is joined by Mary Huckle, a health and fitness coach, speaker and blogger. Mary is also a stage 4 cancer Thriver and advocate.

Mary shares with us her experience of living with cancer. Touching on clinical trials, support systems, how everyday life looks and much more

After podcast notes:

Host & production - Charlotte Crowl

Guest @maryhuckle

Mixed by @willlevison

Sponsored by @palmersuk

In this episode host Charlotte Crowl is joined by Georgette Oni, who is one of a handful of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the UK who is dual-qualified in breast surgical oncology.

Georgette covers information surrounding the different types of breast surgery, preparing for surgery, aftercare, changes over time and much more.

After podcast notes:

Host & production - Charlotte Crowl

Guest: Georgette Oni

Mixed by @willlevison

Sponsored by @palmersuk

Leanne Pero, 4 years on from Cancer 

For our final episode, host Charlotte is reunited with our founder Leanne Pero. Charlotte and Leanne dive into an array of topics. Leanne shares her coping strategies as well as the ups and downs of working within the cancer industry. These days so much can be glamourised on social media, so it is nice to get a real look behind the scenes. Leanne never shy's away from being real about her feelings giving a real account of the joys and trials and tribulations within the industry and personally.  

Leanne Pero is an award winning community champion who overcame breast cancer at 30 years young. The South Londoner founded @themovementfactory , @thepositivedayplanner and The Leanne Pero Foundation, which of course is mother to the Black Women Rising and Black Men Rising projects.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder & Guest @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer Tori @Tori.lens

Cancer, Confidence and Body Image

 Dealing with confidence and body image after diagnosis, many of us ladies can relate to the many changes the body goes through on both a physical and emotional level after diagnosis. It can be really taxing and hard to come to terms with, but we want you to know your feelings are valid and you are not alone. This week Charlotte is in conversation with Adobea and Chanette about their experiences and how they are currently coping.   

Chanette who is 36 from Derby is a wife, mother and a teacher. She was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in the spring of 2016 and later found out it was BRAC1 positive.  

Adobea who is 34 from Essex is a mother and a director of a recruitment agency. In May 2018 she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Chanette @always__another_chapter Adobea  @itsdivinestyle

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer Tori @Tori.lens

Navigating through cancer is tough when you just have to think about yourself. When you have dependents it brings a whole new level to the experience, with them also trying to navigate and understand what you are going through. This week Charlotte is joined by two mothers Shevelle and Nina share their experiences of how it was parenting through cancer.  Meet Shevelle Shevelle, a 30 year old from South London and a mother to a beautiful daughter. She’s a HR Manager who loves to travel, weight lifts and vibe to music.  She is also the founder of the Happy Glow Project.  Shevelle was diagnosed with Trip neg breast cancer in July 2019.  She went through 16 rounds of chemo plus a mastectomy with reconstruction.   Meet Nina Nina who is a mother to a special little girl that inspires her daily and keeps the world around her moving. She is a menswear designer,  loves to dance and finds that going for walks calms her down.  Just before Nina turned 37 she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and had 12 rounds of chemo, surgery and radiotherapy.  “Cancer has changed the direction of my life. Right now living with purpose means helping others and being able to raise awareness.”  

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Nina Lopes @frodayss - Shevelle @Msckellz

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

We go through so many changes with ourselves whilst journeying through cancer. One of the topics that is huge for many women after treatment is fertility, a subject that I feel not enough light is shined on. There has been so many stories of the lack of support in this area. One liner piece of advice can have a huge impact on women trying to navigate through life after cancer. This week Charlotte speaks with Kreena who takes us through the motions of manifesting something she always dreamed of “motherhood”.  

Kreena is a mother to a daughter and triplet sons, a podcaster, writer, speaker and lightworker. At the age of 33 Kreena was diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to the side effect of the chemotherapy she suffered acute heart failure 3 years later.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Kreena - kreenadhiman

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

Friendships! How many of us have been shocked by how some of their friends fell off on the journey or even how ones you never considered that close became a rock. When you’re  going through cancer and even after, a good support network plays a huge role in that journey, even more so when that person understands what you are going through. 

In this weeks episode Charlotte was joined by Telesha (Tilly) and Sophie, who met soon after being diagnosed. 

Tilly, from London is an identical twin, cancer survivor and so much more  In July 2019 she was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Grade 3, - Lymph nodes positive - stage 3. She  completed treatment May 2020 and is now focusing on her recovery.  

Sophie from London is a mum of two, local politician and a youth advocate.  Sophie was diagnosed with stage 2, oestrogen positive breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Telesha - @tilzn9    Sophie - @sofison

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

When going through treatment, and even after so many questions can flood into our minds. In this episode Charlotte has a chat with Andrea, Carla and Carmel about how their experience has been and some of the typical things that tend to come up whilst navigating through and beyond cancer.

Meet Andrea, Carla & Carmel

Andrea, 44 years young from London, is a single mother of two children. She was diagnosed with Stage 2  bowel cancer in July 2019.

Carla, 35 years young from Yorkshire and is a single parent. During 2019 she was diagnosed with Stage 3 and 4 breast cancer.

Carmel, 49 years young from Bournemouth is mother to a teenage daughter. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Lobular Breast cancer in January 2019.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Andrea @cancer_chemo_colostomies_crap Carla @diff818z Carmel @1baddassmum

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

5 cancers and still going strong!  This episode is based around hope, courage and strength. Charlotte is joined by Marcia Brock who take us through her multiple experiences of having cancer since being a teen. We talk about what keeps her going and all things in-between.   

Marcia Brock, is a mother, partner, business lover and author. Marcia is a 5 x cancer survivor who was first diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 19 she is also a lupus survivor and manages a condition called EDS. She recently released a book to help others, who are living with chronic illness.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guest: Marcia - @marcia_brock

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer Tori @Tori.lens

Covid and Cancer - Going through treatment isn’t easy anyway, but having to go through it whilst in a pandemic can add to making the experience even more difficult. Joining us on this episode is Jenn and Anita, who share what it has been like for them getting treatment whilst the country was in lock down.   

Jenn Crojne from London,  is a creative who makes jewellery and also bakes cakes before covid times Jenn was quite the traveller. She was first diagnosed with ER positive breast cancer at 31 in 2010, then 8 years later she was told she had a reoccurrence.    

Anita Howell from Sussex, is a wife, a mother to two children and an author. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2016 and recently found out in March that she has advanced breast cancer.     

B is for breast cancer can be purchased on amazon: https://amzn.to/2XhtA7a

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Jenn - @jenncrojne Anita - @meetlucyandjack

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

Sex and cancer - A topic that nobody really talks about openly but is on many minds. 61% of the ladies from our 100 Women Survey said they struggled with sex and intimacy after treatment. 

Why has something, that is so natural, been made such a taboo in our community? 

In this week’s episode, Charlotte speaks with Cheryl about her experience and why she believes it is an important topic that should be brought up.

Cheryl is a writer and an advocate for others who have been affected by cancer. The South Londoner is also a proud mother of two grown up children and loves nature. She has Addison’s and was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2017.

After podcast notes:

Blackwomenrising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Cheryl Johnson - @cancer_is_a_dancing_queen co-shared project page @sex_cancer_intimacy

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

Sh*t I’ve got cancer!!! This episode is based around two ladies Leeanne and Nicole who were diagnosed in 2020. We discuss what it has been like since their diagnoses and how they are finding the journey thus far.

Leeanne Adu, a 36 year old business owner from South East London.  Leeanne is a mother to a gorgeous 3 year old and a wife. She was diagnosed with grade 3, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in the left breast and lymph nodes.

Nicole Larissa Thomas is 31 years old and from Birmingham. At 30 years old Nicole was diagnosed with stage 3 thyroid cancer. She also has Addison's disease, which causes abdominal pain, weakness, vomiting and fainting. Nicole enjoys listening to music, reading and socialising when possible.

After podcast notes:

Black Women Rising @blackwomenrisinguk

Founder @Leanneperoofficial

Host & production - @Charlottecrowl

Guests: Leeanne @leeanneadu_ Nicole - nicole_larissa

Sound engineer - Harry @soundhuman.uk
Flyer @Tori.lens

Joining @Charliedegale for the final episode of series 1, is Orin Lewis. The co-founder of @acltcharity (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust).

Orin shares a bit about what he was doing prior to ACLT, shares the story of Daniel Degale and the important work of the charity.

ACLT is a 40+ time award-winning charity committed to providing hope to patients living with blood cancer and illnesses where a matched donor (stem cell, blood or organ) is required to save a life.

ACLT was founded in 1996 by Beverley De-Gale, OBE, and Orin Lewis, OBE, 3 years after receiving the devastating news that their 6-year-old son Daniel De-Gale needed a stem cell transplant in order to win his 6-year battle against acute leukaemia.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Orin Lewis: @lewisorin

ACLT: @acltcharity

In this episode joining Charlie Degale is Touchè who is 29 years young he takes us on the journey of his older sister Waverlea who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and then again in 2018. Waverlea went through quite the expedition to getting a diagnosis both times. She documented parts of her journey on instagram @cancer_slayer_ and on youtube. 

Waverlea passed at the age of 29 on the 24th of August 2019. Touchè really speaks with such passion and really paints a picture of how he saw his sisters journey, which is why the episode is called "A Brother's Love".

*After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

@touche_ @cancer_slayer_

Episode 12 will be released earlier than usual on the  23rd as next Friday is a holiday.

In this weeks episode joining Charliede we have Melchizedek who is coming from a different perspective on how he dealt with his journey. Melchizedek was diagnosed with throat cancer back in 2010. He is a Reiki Master and used many alternative tools to assist him on his journey. He now creates copper devices to help others.

One of the things that really stood out from the podcast was when he described his journey as "a pathway to initiation to slow down".

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Melchizedek @melchizedekmoor

Next episode will be available @10am Friday 18th December

This week joining our host Charlie we have Darrel who is just 22 years young. Darrel had recently graduated and started at a new job when he was diagnosed back in May. Originally they thought Darrel had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma BUT after further tests he was diagnosed with high grade Neuroendocrine cancer.

He talks with such passion as his journey continues and shares how he is currently feeling and what has been going on.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Darrel Armani Roshier: @dazzlar_cancer_journey

Next episode will be available @10am Friday 11th December

This week is the last of our prostate awareness episodes and we have Rawle Price joining our host @charliedegale. Rawle was diagnosed with Stage 1 prostate cancer in 2003. After overcoming cancer he did a lot in the community to further raise awareness. He then went on to do training in London with a prostate cancer charity. He is bursting with knowledge as you will hear throughout the podcast.

Rawle currently works with “Cancer Black Care”, supporting people from diagnosis to beyond.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Rawle Price - Cancer Black Care number - 07784762287

Next episode will be available @8am Friday 4th December

Joining our host Charlie this week is Sean Baker (51) who is a mental health nurse. Sean was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 49 and had the operation to remove his prostate at 50. After being diagnosed Sean was shortly diagnosed with MS.

.

What I love about this interview is Sean really dives deep and answers plus shares information that I haven’t heard people really dive into. He really helps us capture what it can be like for men after getting their prostate removed

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Sean Baker - @deejaysean007

Next episode will be available @6am

Joining our host Charlie this week is 24 year old Tawanda Chamunorwa. Tawanda was first diagnosed with Ependymoma brain and spine tumour
.in September 2014 at 18yrs old.He then relapsed for the 1st time - January 2017 at 20yrs old, then relapsed a 2nd time - summer 2018 at 22yrs. Since he started his first diagnosis he has Beat brain cancer twice, had three major brain surgeries, two separate six week radiotherapy treatments, learnt how to walk talk and swallow from scratch, graduated from university (3 year degree with 2 gap years) and started a business.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Tawanda Chamunorwa @tawandaforever

Rare and loved @rareandloved

Next episode will be available @6am

This week Charlie is in conversation with one of our younger guests Tino Mangambako. Tino was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Feb 2015 at just 24 years young. He takes us through his journey as a young black man and how he  also had to undergo hip replacement surgery. Also Tino is now a Cancer Support Worker himself for the charity Leukaemia Care UK. He has a special respect and love for CLIC Sargent who were a great help on his journey.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Tino Mangambako: @tino1s

Next episode will be available @6am 30/10/2020

Joining our host Charlie this week is our first guest Paul Canoville! If you are into football you might know that Paul was actually the first black man to play for Chelsea which, he wrote a book about. Not only will you hear about him beating cancer twice, but you will get an insight into different milestones and challenges he faces throughout his life

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Paul Canoville: @thecannersway 

Next episode will be available @6am 23/10/2020

You asked and we have delivered! Welcome to Series 1 Episode 1 of Black Men Rising - The Untold Cancer Stories. This first episode is an introduction to your amazing host Charlie Degale, who shares his personal journey, what he is up to now and what black men rising is. 

We have a line up of great guests for you over the next 12 weeks and we appreciate all of your support thus far.

After Podcast Info:

Black Men Rising: @blackmenrisinguk

Charlie Degale: @charliedegale

Next episode will be available @ 6am 16/10/2020

It's well known amongst the cancer community that some people experience ALOT of mobility issues after it's harsh treatments, for the patients caught up in the whirlwind of all this there is no "bounce back" or no "normal" again- life becomes very much focused on how to accept and navigate their newly inherited life altering, physical effects. 

On this week's episode Leanne has let Charlotte take the lead and joining her to talk about their own journey's of cancer and mobility are two Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) survivors Elesha Turner and Charlene Young.  

After Podcast Info: Black Women Rising @blackwomenrisinguk Charlotte Crowl @charlottecrowl Charlene Young @I_am_charlene.me Elesha Turner @elesha_turner

*Next episode release date: Friday 10th July 12am

In this weeks episode we hear from 3 inspirational Black women who serve on the front line of cancer care within the NHS.

Leanne and Charlotte are joined by the amazing Georgette Oni- a consultant plastic surgeon, Mary Oladele- a senior Therapeutic Radiographer and Sarah Adomah- a breast cancer clinical Nurse specialist- who openly share the journeys of their respective professions, why their work is so important within the BAME community and why education is key for raising vital awareness of cancer within our marginalised communities.

After Podcast Info:

Black Women Rising @blackwomenrisinguk Leanne Pero @leanneperoofficial Charlotte Crowl @charlottecrowl Mary Oladele @cancer_eduk

*Next episode release date: Friday 3rd July 12am.