How does a kidney cancer diagnosis lead to a life-changing mission? On this episode of Believe in Progress, a podcast of the AACR Foundation, host Mitch Stoller sits down with Meryl Uranga, a seven-year kidney cancer survivor who turned her personal battle into a powerful force for change.

Meryl was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer while undergoing treatment for appendicitis—a moment that changed everything for her. Now, as the Community Liaison-Patient Advocacy and Southeast Team Lead for KidneyCAN, she is working to accelerate research, advocate for funding, and empower patients.

In this episode, Meryl shares:

• Her unexpected kidney cancer diagnosis and how she navigated early treatment decisions
• How patient education and support groups transformed her outlook
• The role of KidneyCAN in pushing for research funding and policy change
• How legislative advocacy is shaping the future of kidney cancer treatment
• Balancing life as an advocate, mom, and grandmother

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month: a great time to learn more about this type of cancer. If you or a loved one has been impacted by kidney cancer, this episode is packed with insight, hope, and actionable ways to get involved in the fight against this disease.

Listen now and be inspired by Meryl’s resilience and mission to drive progress in kidney cancer research.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: Meet Meryl Uranga and hear her impactful story
• 05:30 – Diagnosis and initial journey: How appendicitis led to a life-changing discovery
• 12:45 – Educating herself and finding support: Why information and community are crucial
• 18:00 – KidneyCAN and its mission: How Meryl is helping drive kidney cancer research
• 24:30 – Legislative advocacy and funding: Why patient voices matter in policy change
• 30:10 – Advice for newly diagnosed patients and caregivers
• 36:20 – Future goals and final thoughts

Resources and Links:

• Support cancer research through the AACR Foundation: AACR.org/Donate
• Learn more about KidneyCAN and how you can support kidney cancer research: www.kidneycan.org
• Connect with Meryl Uranga and KidneyCAN on social media

Support and Subscribe:

• Help spread awareness: Share this episode with your friends and family
• Subscribe: Subscribe to Believe in Progress on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
• Check out more episodes of Believe in Progress at AACR.org/BelieveInProgress

Cancer Research Saves Lives®

Production Credits:

Host: Mitch Stoller

Guest: Meryl Uranga

Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes

Executive Producer: Michael Leary

Associate Producer: Heather Holland

Director: Anthony Lopes

Creative Director/Director of Photography: Michael Leary

Editor: Michael Leary

This episode is produced by CollegeCast LLC.