EPISODE 22

Sidelined by Sarcoma: A Teen Athlete’s Resolve to Get Back on the Field

September 18, 202439 min

About This Episode

In January of his senior year of high school, Thomas was stretching and noticed a painless bump on his right hamstring. The three-sport athlete thought nothing of it. But by spring, the lump had grown to the size of a baseball. Thomas was immediately directed to Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where Washington University pediatric oncologist Dr. Amy Armstrong confirmed the mass was a sarcoma. Listen as Thomas; his mom, Amelia; and Dr. Armstrong describe the long, intense treatment plan that delayed his plans for college football and the mental grit and community it took to return to the sport he loved. Thomas also shares advice for other young athletes in similar situations.

“This is Cancer” is brought to you by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and produced at Spot Content Studio in St. Louis, MO.

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EPISODE 23

NHL’s Kelly Chase Drops the Gloves Against Cancer: "I don’t mind fighting anybody. I just like to see the size of him."

October 2, 202444 min

About This Episode Former NHL player Kelly Chase is known as one of the toughest guys to wear a St. Louis Blues jersey, racking up more than 2,000 penalty minutes in his career. But when his Washington University oncologist Ramzi Abboud, MD, diagnosed him with acute myeloid leukemia in 2023, Chase learned he was facing an opponent different than anything he challenged on the ice – one needing more than brute force. Listen as Chase and Dr. Abboud share…