In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, Jay speaks with Andrea Wilson Woods, author, patient advocate, and founder of Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. Andrea shares the harrowing, heart-opening story of raising her sister from childhood through a terminal liver cancer diagnosis, and how that experience became the catalyst for lifelong advocacy and education. 🎙️
Andrea’s story is not just one of loss — it’s one of legacy. At just 22, she became the legal guardian of her 8-year-old sister Adrienne, raising her through the chaos of addiction and dysfunction. When Adrienne was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and passed away at 15, Andrea didn’t turn away — she turned purpose into motion. From starting a nonprofit in her sister’s name to translating reams of medical data into life-saving layman’s terms, her story is one of fierce love, resilience, and patient-centered revolution. 💛
Jay brings his signature blend of compassion, insight, and lived experience to this raw, honest conversation about family roles, medical burnout, and the importance of agency in the healthcare system. Whether you’re navigating grief, caregiving, or simply trying to understand better how to support those who are — this episode will move you.

In 2002, Andrea founded Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association after losing her 15-year-old sister Adrienne, whom she raised for seven years, to stage IV liver cancer. As a patient advocate, Andrea has served on many committees and advisory boards, including NCI’s Hepatobiliary Task Force, Target Pharma Solutions HCC Advisory Board, ASCO’s Systemic Therapy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Guideline Panel, Mayo Clinic Hepatobiliary SPORE, and the DOD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program. Andrea represents Blue Faery as a member of AASLD, ASCO, Deadliest Cancers Coalition, and GI Cancers Alliance. Currently, Andrea is the only American serving on the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s Liver Cancer Advisory Council.

Andrea has received numerous scholarships to attend conferences around the country to tell her story, increase her knowledge, advocate for more funding, and continue her professional development. Organizations that have granted scholarships/sponsorships include Academy Health, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Liver Foundation, Caring Ambassadors, Conquer Cancer Foundation, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, and more.

Discover insights from the Phase 3 LEAP-012 study evaluating lenvatinib + pembrolizumab + TACE versus double placebo + TACE for patients with intermediate HCC.

In this short expert video, Prof. Arndt Vogel covers the key findings from the publication and places the results into clinical context.

In this profound episode, Andrea Wilson Woods shares her deeply personal journey of resilience and advocacy, inspired by her sister Adrienne's courageous battle with primary liver cancer. As the founder of Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, Andrea reveals how Adrienne's humor, passion for music, and unbreakable spirit shaped their bond and her mission to support liver cancer patients and families. She discusses the importance of "realistic hope", honest patient-provider communication, and how Blue Faery is making vital resources accessible to diverse communities. Tune in to hear how Andrea turned heartbreak into purpose, creating a lasting impact through advocacy, education, and a commitment to honoring Adrienne's legacy.

In this final episode of the four-part series on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hosted by the Oncology Brothers, Drs Rohit and Rahul Gosain, the discussion focuses on the evolving role of immunotherapy (IO) in intermediate HCC.

The episode explores multimodal approaches that combine IO and IO-based therapies with loco-regional treatments and highlights the essential role of a multidisciplinary care team.

In the third of this 4-part podcast series on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the Oncology Brothers, Dr Rahul and Dr Rohit Gosain, are joined by hepatologist Dr Maria Reig and interventional radiologist Dr Emil Cohen to explore treatment strategies for patients with intermediate-stage HCC.

A REALTOR®/Broker Associate Jennifer Schumacher has volunteered for several local charities over the past 18 years. Her Mom, Carol, was diagnosed with HCC in 2023, and Jennifer became her primary caregiver for the next 14 months during her tenacious battle. Two and a half months into Carol’s diagnosis, Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage III Kidney Cancer and immediately had her kidney removed. Jennifer’s cancer journey gave her unique insight as to what it’s like to be both a cancer patient and a caregiver. Her mother, Carol, was a pillar of strength in life and in death.

Hosts Kevin Price and Andrea Wilson Woods visited Frankie Osborne, our next guest for the Fighting Liver Cancer series. Frankie has metastatic pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of pancreatic cancer, that has spread to her liver. While it’s not primary liver cancer, Frankie is a member of our community and she has an important message to share.

Fascinating as always, what is particularly interesting about this interview is that she was diagnosed while her mother was fighting her on liver cancer diagnosis.

In this heartfelt episode, Andrea opens up about her personal journey, sharing the tough decisions, emotional hurdles, and vital lessons she’s learned along the way. But it doesn’t stop there. She’ll reveal the practical, actionable steps families can take to support their loved ones, both emotionally and medically, and how critical psychosocial support is in the cancer journey.

Plus, you’ll hear all about the Blue Faery’s educational programs, cutting-edge research, and its mission to tackle liver cancer head-on.

In the second episode of a 4-part podcast series on HCC, the Oncology Brothers, Drs Rahul and Rohit Gosain, host a podcast discussion between Dr Lorenza Rimassa and Prof. Arndt Vogel on 2nd line treatment selection in advanced HCC and when to switch. 

In the first of this 4-part podcast series, Dr Rachna Shroff and the Oncology Brothers, Drs Rohit and Rahul Gosain, explore the use of immunotherapy (IO) in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).

Price and Woods visit with Dr. Sarah Bauer. They discuss how diabetes is a risk factor for liver cancer that few people acknowledge and is rarely discussed among doctors and patients, Dr. Bauer provides an important story about her father in this conversation.

Success stories frequently capture our attention, it’s often the narratives of overcoming adversity that offer the most profound lessons. Such stories not only reflect resilience and growth but also challenge us to think about how we can transform our own struggles into platforms for leading and teaching others. A prime example of transforming life’s toughest moments into a force for good can be seen in the journey of Andrea Wilson Woods.

Andrea Wilson Woods is a keynote speaker and a writer who loves to tell stories. She is also a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association in memory of her sister Adrienne who was diagnosed with liver cancer when she was 15. Andrea was Adrienne’s legal guardian and her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about both raising and losing her sister. In this podcast:

The prevalence and prognosis of liver cancer which is often diagnosed in late stages due to the liver's lack of pain receptors.

How losing her sister led Andrea to found the Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, also known as Blue Faery.

The importance of assertiveness and advocacy in healthcare settings.

Price and Woods visit with Dr. Sarah Bauer. They discuss how diabetes is a risk factor for liver cancer that few people acknowledge and is rarely discussed among doctors and patients, Dr. Bauer provides an important story about her father in this conversation.

In this episode of OncoDaily, Andrea Wilson-Woods, the president and founder of Blue Faery, the Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association, shares her mission to prevent, treat, and cure primary liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Founded in memory of her sister Adrienne, who was diagnosed with HCC shortly after her 15th birthday and passed away 147 days later, the organization aims to address the rising incidence of liver cancer. Blue Faery offers free programs for HCC patients and families, along with an annual research award for innovative liver cancer research. For more information, visit BlueFaery.org.