In this episode of Cervivor Podcast, we delve into the critical intersection of cancer, legal rights, and insurance with Joanna Doran from Triage Cancer. Starting with an introduction to Triage Cancer, Joanna sheds light on the various legal issues that individuals facing cancer may encounter including how to discuss your concerns with your employer. From there, we explore specific ways Triage Cancer offers support, including events, materials, and their invaluable Legal & Financial Navigation Program. Joanna also provides insights into navigating the financial aspects of cervical cancer, discussing the complexities of dealing with insurance, from prior authorizations to appealing denials, and offers practical advice on handling medical bills.Tune in to this episode for essential guidance on navigating the legal and financial maze of cancer care. For more information on the resources mentioned in the episode: Triage Health is https://TriageHealth.org and Triage Cancer is https://TriageCancer.org.

About the Guests:

Janice Le-Nguyen is an HPV cervical cancer survivor, diagnosed with stage 1A2 more than 3 years ago on April Fool’s Day. She is located in Henderson, Nevada, and currently works as a Systems Analyst with a good rapport with faculty, staff, and students at the state college. Janice has raised awareness for self-care, putting your health first, and advocating for listening to your body on and off campus. Janice wanted to come to the Communities of Color Retreat to learn more about providing a voice for Vietnamese-Americans and the Asian-American and Pacific Islander populations, who culturally tend to be silent about their health disparities. She is hoping to gain skills and ideas to raise awareness for the API population who may deter themselves from seeking treatment because of cultural taboos.

Julie Mason Groob is a cervical and vaginal cancer survivor, living with persistent HPV, a diagnosis that began in 2012 shortly after her 27th birthday. Battling non-invasive and invasive cancer for over a decade has led Julie to tell her story and position herself as an advocate for HPV vaccinations and early-detection cancer screenings. She also volunteers as a Patient Educator with the Pathways Program in New Jersey, helping to educate early-career doctors and nurses about the cancer patient experience. Professionally, Julie has worked in performing arts administration in New York for 20 years. She currently serves as the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at the New York City Center and previously, was a Production Manager at Radio City Music Hall and New York Theater Workshop. In the years between her cervical and vaginal cancer diagnosis, Julie ran the NYC Marathon twice with Fred's Team, raising funds for Gynecologic Cancer Research. She enjoys traveling, karaoke, fitness, and has just taken up tap dancing! Julie lives in South Orange, NJ with her husband, Kevin and their pug, Seymour.

Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq. is a prominent cancer rights attorney, author, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national nonprofit providing free education on practical and legal issues for individuals and caregivers dealing with cancer. With nearly thirty years of experience, she has taught extensively on cancer rights law, authored pioneering books and chapters, and presented over a thousand seminars across the country. Ms. Doran has also played pivotal roles on various cancer community committees and boards, receiving multiple awards for her legislative advocacy and service. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School Los Angeles.