Everything Joy to Life!

In 1994, Dr. Carrie Nelson (a now 35-year breast cancer survivor) establishes SISTAs Can Survive Coalition--the first African American survivor run group in Alabama. From that time forward, SISTAs has provided (and continues to provide) a culturally sensitive approach to combatting diseases among medically underserved populations. 

Along with certified trainer Shirley Nance and 2A Fitness Gym owner Ray Adkinson, Dr. Nelson gives us a look at the scope of what SISTAs can provide and the life-changing difference it can make.

For more information about SISTAs, visit their website (sistascansurvive.org), visit them on Facebook or call (334) 430-1070.

For years, John Moorer felt like there was something off with his health. He sought the counsel of multiple doctors, but none of them provided a diagnosis. They didn’t seem to think that there was anything he should be worried about. They were wrong.

We got the chance to sit down with John and hear his remarkable story—a story that points to the importance of being proactive when it comes to your wellbeing. If there is one thing John has learned on his journey, it’s trust yourself and never stop seeking answers when you have questions about your health.

In November of 2023, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Lizzie Norman, the Mobile Mammography Coordinator at Montgomery Cancer Center and Kadie Agnew Director of Marketing & Communications at Baptist Health to talk about their "Driving Hope" program which features a state-of-the-art Mobile Mammography Unit named "JOY" that Baptist had just unveiled.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to drive a 24-foot cab over truck around and provide life-saving breast screenings, then this is the podcast for you!

"JOY" has since made numerous trips in the central Alabama area and, as you'll hear, these will be a second mobile unit coming to join her in the Driving Hope program!

"This is a problem, but we can fix it. It will take work, but we can fix this."

This quote from Dr. Pam Strickland sums up her approach to her work--offering a full range of surgical services to women with breast cancer and other breast diseases. She is a board-certified general surgeon with nearly 30 years’ experience specializing in breast surgery and she, along with her associate Dr. Katelin Holmes are the only surgeons in Alabama to offer their patients an exciting new technology called Magseed.

Joy to Life co-founders Joy and Dickie Blondheim sat down with Dr. Strickland and found out more about her practice and how she uses a combination of technology and compassionate care to treat patients with breast cancer or any breast-related disease diagnosis.

If you’d like to know more about Dr. Strickland or her practice, visit baptistbreastsurgery.com.

What's best food-wise for us to put in our bodies is a big question. But Deanne Allegro (Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Auburn University Montgomery) has a unique way of breaking down this monumental subject into "bite-size" pieces that anyone can understand!

In this episode, Joy to Life founders Joy and Dickie Blondheim get insight from Deanne about how important nutrition is, explore the benefits of a plant-based diet, dispel some nutrition disinformation by playing a game of "Truth or Myth" and more.

So if you've always wondered about whether or not to go vegan or if it's a good idea to put maple syrup in your coffee (apparently it's a thing), this is the podcast for you!

In this episode with our trio of personal trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott), Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim and her husband Dickie take a look at the “New Year, New You” phenomenon and how the key to sustainable weight loss and physical fitness isn’t as mysterious as some might make it out to be. You can make positive changes in your life and, believe it or not, most of the changes occur outside of the gym!

Toss in some commentary on exercise trends old and new (Face Yoga, anyone?) and you have a conversation that sheds light on how to create positive habits that you can maintain for a lifetime!

NOTE: To find out more about the meals mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.facebook.com/commitfueltrain/

In this episode with our trio of personal trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott), Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim and her husband Dickie cover a wide range of topics---from the almost unbelievable fad trends Joy has tried over the years (does anyone remember ear stapling?) to how exercise is critical to rehabbing not just physically, but mentally after an injury and even chemo/breast cancer. 

Full of fun and touching personal stories, this episode is proof that the power of movement is an amazing thing for both body and mind! 

If you live in Alabama, you've probably seen The Gene Machine--that adorable pink bus that goes around and collects genetic information for ongoing research at Auburn University. What you may not know is who's behind it, how that genetic info is collected and, most importantly, how it is used to save lives! 

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Nancy Merner and Betsy Stallworth about how The Gene Machine got its start, how they educate participants about why their genetic info is so critical and how they are breaking down barriers by reaching out to so many communities in unique ways.

To find out more about The Gene Machine, the team's research and how you can help, visit their website: genemachine.info.

After learning about her hereditary risk of cancer when she was working in Montgomery as weekend anchor for WAKA-TV (where we got to know her), Joy made the decision to undergo a series of preventative surgeries to lower both her breast and ovarian cancer risks.

As she puts it “I’ve spent much of my life watching those I love battle cancer, many wins, some losses. I consider myself fortunate to know that battle runs through my genes.”

A double mastectomy and full hysterectomy later, she still experiences discomfort along with the scars that chronicle her journey. Through it all, she has not shied away from sharing her struggles publicly. So why did she choose this path?  “It was an easy decision,” she says. “I chose my husband, I chose my kids and hopefully a long healthy future with them. I am so thankful to have had this choice to make.”

It’s is a story about family, courage and making those hard choices that define you.

What's more important: nutrition or exercise? Why would a personal trainer gain over 30 pounds on purpose? Can't I just work out at home? We tackle all these questions, and so much more, on this episode! Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim is joined by a trio of trainers (Ashley Jenkins, Clinton Adams and Ryan Callicott) who share a wealth of information such as the best way to lose weight, why discipline is more important than motivation and why you always trust the science!

Tina Hodge has been dealing with breast cancer for almost 30 years--just not as a cancer survivor. Tina has provided compassionate leadership to clinics in the central Alabama area (and continues to do so) and has helped guide countless women and men through their breast cancer journeys. When she was diagnosed with a genetic predisposition for cancer, Tina made the decision to undergo a series of surgeries to reduce her risk of developing the disease. She shares with us what led to that decision and how her late husband Boyd (along with many others) helped her make the decision to become a "pre-vivor" and supported  her every step of the way. It's a journey full of family, fun and, believe it or not, fishing!

What keeps us going for one more day? To answer that, Joy to Life co-founder Joy Blondheim and Program Director Jackie Butler talk with two people who know first hand about the trials and triumphs of providing breast health services to those in Alabama who desperately need it but are not equipped to pay for it. Nurse Supervisor Sarah Shelton (from Marshall county) and Regional Screening Coordinator Jackie Wilson (from the Wiregrass) share their experiences in dealing with patients who are fearful and unsure about their physical health (as well as stressed about the cost of receiving the healthcare they need) and the difference that Joy to Life has made for so many by providing financial assistance for needed procedures along with life-changing knowledge that comes with a diagnosis. Even during a pandemic, breast health services are not only necessary, they are critical and Joy to Life makes it possible for many who would never be seen to be diagnosed and treated--one day at a time.

When Janet picked up a Joy to Life breast self exam shower card during a visit from Ohio to Alabama's Gulf Coast, she never imagined that it would be instrumental in saving her life! Having never been one to perform self exams, Janet let the card sit for a while before heeding its message. Little did she know how the information on that card would change her dramatically. If you'd like to know more about Janet's breast cancer journey (along with much more about her life), she's written a memoir that you can download and read free of charge here: http://www.willkefamily.com/Family-Faith-Travel-Memoir-Janet-Bolton.pdf

When Scott and Beth got married, they knew that they wanted to start a family. Unfortunately, breast cancer made them take a few detours on their journey. Through it all, their courage became an inspiration to everyone they came in contact with. Theirs is a story of how to look at even the biggest challenges in your life as just an "oops bump" (as Beth would call it) and move past them toward your ultimate goal.

While it doesn't get talked about very much, men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. Chappy's Deli owner David Barranco knows this only too well. Of course, being treated for a disease that typically only effects members of the female population brings with it a whole new perspective on life and faith. Over the years since his diagnosis and treatment, David has shared his story with many audiences and that is why we asked him to join us here--so hopefully more men will hear his message of early detection and take the necessary steps to make sure that their breast health is taken seriously. The lessons he has learned on his journey are lessons we all can benefit from and , believe it or not, we can actually laugh together through it all!