Threads of Gold
Conversations with authors and illustrators who are sharing stories about childhood and AYA cancers.
Episode 8, Trish and Curtis Vallier
Trish and Curtis Vallier join the podcast to talk about their daughter Jaycee, about their organization Battlecorn Care Packages (www.battlecornglobal.org), and about the children's book Trish wrote, "Fred & Friends".
Episode 7, Cole and Laura Eicher
A visit with childhood brain cancer survivor Cole Eicher and his mom Laura Eicher! These two started Gold Together for Childhood Cancer at the American Cancer Society in 2018 and since then, millions of dollars have been raised through it, all for pediatric cancer. Find out more and get involved by visiting the following links:
www.cancer.org/goldtogether
www.fighcancer.org (to get involved in advocacy)
www.relayforlife.org/goldtogetherday
Buy "Stories 'Round the Campfire" at www.bellasteri.com/storybook
Episode 6, Jack Gates
Jack Gates is the founder of Triumph Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making sports dreams come true for kids in the hospital. He is also a children's book author. He joins us to talk about his books and the work he does for kids. You can visit www.triumphtogether.net to find out more.
To buy his books, visit www.bellasteri.com or www.ashlandink.com
Episode 5, Kylee McGrane Zarnoch
Kylee McGrane Zarnoch is the founder and executive director of A Moment of Magic. She is also the author of the children's book "Your Magic". She is making a huge impact on the pediatric cancer community. Visit www.amomentofmagic.org to learn more.
You can find out how to purchase "Your Magic" at www.bellasteri.com.
Episode 4, Ashlee Cramer
Ashlee Cramer talks about her son Michael and the children's book she wrote based on his fight against blood cancer. To know more about Ashlee, visit www.michaelandmomtalkcancer.com.
Find out how to purchase "Michael, The Boy Who Danced on the Waves" at www.bellasteri.com.
Episode 3, Leia Hunt
Leia's Kids Founder and Executive Director, Leia Hunt, discusses her pediatric cancer battle, her organization and advocacy, and the books she has written to improve the lives of children with cancer and their families. Learn more about Leia at www.leiaskids.org.
Episode 2, Mariah Forster Olson
In this episode, author and childhood cancer survivor Mariah Forster Olson discusses her memoir, "Hope Over Despair," which was published at the end of July 2025. The book chronicles her journey of pediatric cancer and its aftermath. Mariah will inspire you with her courage in the face of the horrible late effects caused by the treatments that cured her neuroblastoma.
Episode 1, Christian Englert
A conversation with author Christian Englert, childhood brain cancer survivor who wrote a memoir, "Refined by Fire"
