In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, talks with Beth Blakey and Samantha Schrager from the Cancer Hope Network about their mission providing mentorship to cancer patients, the families of patients and caregivers, and a new partnership with Johns Hopkins.

Cancer Hope Network is a peer mentorship program that provides one-on-one support for adults impacted by cancer. They connect cancer patients and caregivers with mentors who have been through similar experiences. These mentors offer guidance and understanding to those currently navigating cancer treatment, ensuring that no one goes through the journey alone.

Cancer Hope Network has grown from a local initiative to a national network of around 500 trained mentors. These mentors are volunteers who have completed treatment or have served as caregivers. They represent a wide range of cancer types and life experiences, allowing for personalized matches between mentors and those seeking support.

Earlier this Summer, the Cancer Hope Network and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center launched a new partnership, called the M.A.P.S. program (Mentorship and Peer Support for Patients and Caregivers). This initiative is designed to recruit mentors from within the Johns Hopkins community to provide support to newly diagnosed patients and their families.

To get matched with a mentor, become a mentor or learn more about the M.A.P.S program ➡️ cancerhopenetwork.org/skcccjh/

September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. In this Cancer Matters podcast, Dr Bill Nelson, the Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks to Dr Rick Jones and Dr Robert Brodsky about treating sickle cell anemia, an inherited disorder where mutations in the globin gene cause the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, leading to severe pain and organ damage. They discuss and compare the types of bone marrow transplants currently used to treat the disease and highlight the significant improvements in reducing complications, such as graft-versus-host disease and graft rejection.

In this On Target podcast, Dr Akila Viswanathan, Director of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, speaks with Dr. Deborah Citrin from the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer Research and Dr. Zachary Morris from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for an issue of Seminars in Radiation Oncology focusing on personalized dose.

The discussion explores advancements in radiation therapy, including how modern technology and biology are being used to tailor radiotherapy doses to individual patients. Dr Citrin highlights the potential of integrating genomics, imaging, and biomarkers to achieve personalized treatment, while Dr Morris examines disease-specific biomarkers and their application in clinical practice.

This episode covers key topics such as using gene expression signatures to predict radiation response, leveraging imaging for adaptive therapy, and how molecular markers are helping to refine treatment decisions. They also explore the promise of circulating tumor DNA as a tool for guiding radiation dosage and the complexities of combining radiation with immunotherapy.