A child’s diagnosis of a serious illness can be difficult. Families, guardians, and loved ones feel a range of emotions and need support related to their child’s treatment. Caregivers SHARE, a St. Jude podcast, is a place for family caregivers to hear advice, reflection, encouragement, and real stories from families and hospital staff. SHARE stands for Support, Honor, Advise, Reflect, and Encourage. The podcast is brought to you by Patient Family-Centered Care and Psychosocial Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects patients physically, emotionally, and socially. Even though sickle cell research and treatment have improved over the last several years, many are still learning about how this condition impacts the body and daily life.
In this re-release of a 2025 episode honoring Sickle Cell Awareness Month, parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins share their experiences supporting their daughters, Courtney and Nia, through sickle cell disease. Together with host Tekeima Townsend-Billups and expert Jerlym Porter, they explore the invisible and unpredictable nature of the disease, dealing with pain crises, the importance of therapy, and advocating for their children.
A special thank you our host, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, senior staff chaplain at St. Jude; our expert, Jerlym Porter, associate member of the St. Jude faculty in Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences; and parents Audrey Davis and Quenton Mullins. Learn more about Courtney and Nia’s diagnosis of sickle cell disease (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/conditions/blood-disorders/sickle-cell-disease.html) and the transition to adult health care (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/emotional-support-daily-life/transition-to-adult-health-care.html) on Together by St. Jude™.
The statistics that Quenton mentions on sickle cell disease in the U.S. can be found on the CDC’s website.
Discover more insights into Nia’s journey (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/blog/article/asking-questions-helps-family-manage-sickle-cell-disease.html) on the Together Blog (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/blog/article.html).
This episode was recorded on May 15, 2025.
St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
20 Aug 2026
Finding Your Voice: A Teen’s Perspective on Serious Illness
When a teen has a serious illness, it can be hard to know how to help. Teens often want to do more on their own as they grow. Caregivers may wonder how to talk with their teen. They may also want to know how to include teens in care choices and help them handle hard feelings.
In this episode, Erica Sirrine, PhD, LCSW, talks with St. Jude patient Michelle and Tori Hinton, PhD, CCLS, senior child life specialist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They share ways family caregivers can help teens during a serious illness.
Michelle discusses what she learned during treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. She talks about how her family communicated, made care choices together, and handled difficult emotions. She also shares how art, journaling, calming exercises, and support from friends helped her manage stress and stay connected to who she is.
Tori explains why giving teens a chance to take part in care decisions matters. She shares ways caregivers can support a teen’s independence while staying connected. The group also explores how to talk honestly, handle stress, and help teens feel heard.
A special thank you to our host, Erica Sirrine, director of Social Work at St. Jude; our expert, Tori Hinton, senior child life specialist at St. Jude; and St. Jude patient Michelle.
This episode was recorded on August 3, 2026.
Learn more about Michelle’s AML diagnosis on St. Jude Care & Treatment (https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/treatment/childhood-cancer/leukemia-lymphoma/acute-myeloid-leukemia-aml.html) and Together by St. Jude™ (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/conditions/cancers/acute-myeloid-leukemia-aml.html).
Read about Michelle’s art on the St. Jude website (https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/stories/making-a-difference/patient-story-yike.html).
Learn about navigating serious illness as a teen or young adult on Together Teens & 20s (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/teensand20s.html).
St. Jude does not endorse any product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
23 Jul 2026
Fertility Preservation Decisions, Part 2
Fertility preservation is not always the first thing a family thinks about during a serious illness. But fertility preservation can shape a patient’s future in important ways.
In this episode, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, MDiv, and Kari Bjornard, MD, talk with cancer survivor Keragan about her experience of going through fertility preservation years after completing cancer treatment. Keragan was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma at 17 years old.
Now 25 years old and an emergency room nurse, Keragan shares her journey with fertility after cancer, including what she wishes she had known at the start of treatment. Kari offers insights into risks, timing, and how to talk with your care team. Tekeima guides the discussion that covers the emotional impact of these decisions, differences between male and female patients, and the many ways to build a family.
A special thank you to our host, Tekeima Townsend-Billups, senior staff chaplain in Spiritual Care (https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/treatment/clinics-services/spiritual-care-services.html) at St. Jude; our expert Kari Bjornard, director of the Fertility Program (https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/treatment/clinics-services/preservation-of-reproductive-health.html) and assistant member of the Oncology faculty at St. Jude; and St. Jude patient Keragan.
This episode was recorded on June 26, 2026. Listen to the first part of this conversation on male fertility preservation decisions (https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/patient-families/family-caregiver/caregivers-share-podcast/caregivers-share-season-3/fertility-preservation-decisions.html).
Learn more about Keragan’s diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment (https://www.stjude.org/care-treatment/treatment/childhood-cancer/leukemia-lymphoma/hodgkin-lymphoma.html) and Together by St. Jude™ (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/conditions/cancers/hodgkin-lymphoma.html).
Learn more about female fertility (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/teensand20s/how-treatments-may-affect-you/understanding-fertility-guide-for-females.html) and mental well-being (https://together.stjude.org/en-us/medical-care/psychology.html)on Together by St. Jude™.
St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.
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