Life On Pause is a podcast for and by young adults living with cancer. Each month, young adult cancer patients from Penn State Health share honestly about their cancer diagnosis, treatment and life afterwards. As cancer causes the group to reflect on issues both large and small, surprisingly relatable stories and themes emerge. From relationships to body functions, nothing is off the table.
Recent Episodes
Oct. 3, 2025
Brave, Bold, Gold: Ariana & Tony Share Their Childhood Cancer Awareness Designs
Ariana McDonell and Tony Campisi share how they turned their childhood cancer journeys into powerful designs for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. At just 12 years old, Ariana entered a t-shirt design contest that became much...
Sept. 16, 2025
A Taste of Independence: Cooking Up Confidence After Cancer
Taylor, Eliot, Shelly, and Tony share how something as simple as a cooking class can spark confidence, connection, and independence after cancer. Hosted at Zest! Cooking School in Lititz, Pennsylvania, this Life on Pause even...
Aug. 12, 2025
God Didn’t Give Me Cancer—But He Didn’t Stop It Either: Robyn’s Story
Robyn, a 21-year-old from Lancaster County, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia during her second year of college. What started as what she thought were boils and cold symptoms quickly turned into a life-ch...
July 22, 2025
Healing Through Hoofbeats: Paige’s Story of Strength and Therapeutic Horsemanship
Paige, a 15-year-old from Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s leukemia at stage 3. After spending seven months in the hospital undergoing intensive treatment, she found herself withdrawn and unsure—until she met a hors...
July 1, 2025
Cancer Camp Changed My Life: AYA Survivors Share the Power of Connection
Emma, Lucas, Ariana, and Casey open up about what it’s really like to attend a cancer camp as a young adult. From fears about fitting in to late-night laughs and life-changing conversations, they share the moments that made t...
June 10, 2025
Mason’s Mission: Fighting Cancer Across Continents
Mason, a 21-year-old from Iran, shares his remarkable story of fighting neuroblastoma for more than a decade. Diagnosed at age 7, Mason has faced multiple relapses, treatment resistance, and devastating setbacks—including the...
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