Coping With Pediatric Cancer in the Time of COVID

October 1, 2020
Jessica Skarzynski
Jessica Skarzynski

On this week’s episode of the “CURE® Talks Cancer” podcast, pediatric cancer patient Jelena and mom Andrea join us to talk about what it was like facing cancer and a pandemic at the same time, and how they were excited to partner with St. Baldrick’s to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

When 13-year old Jelena Colasurdo started experiencing intense headaches and nausea, a brain tumor was the last thing on her and mom Andrea’s minds. Unfortunately, as they soon found out, it was in fact true, and Jelena had to begin treatment, just at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this week’s episode of the “CURE® Talks Cancer” podcast, Jelena and Andrea join us to talk about what it was like facing cancer and a pandemic at the same time, and how they were excited to partner with St. Baldrick’s to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

When asked for advice for fellow patients like herself, Jelena has some words of wisdom that could apply to anyone. “Take one day at a time,” she says. “Don’t look forward too much, just focus on the day and time you’re already on.”