Lillian Vanvieldt-Grey is a powerhouse in every sense of the word; a senior executive, a fierce advocate, and a stage III breast cancer survivor turned thriver.
In this episode, Lillian opens up about her diagnosis, the early days of navigating uncertainty, and how she found strength in community, education, and purpose. Her story is not just about surviving, it’s about speaking up, reaching back, and building spaces of support for others walking a similar path.
She shares the powerful origin story of Alliant Insurance’s Cancer Employee Resource Group, a workplace initiative she helped launch to ensure no employee has to face cancer alone. Lillian’s advocacy extends far beyond the boardroom, championing early detection, health equity, and compassionate awareness through her work with organizations like Susan G. Komen.
From reflections on resilience to practical messages of hope, this conversation is filled with wisdom and warmth. Whether you're a survivor, caregiver, or supporter, you’ll walk away inspired by Lillian’s courage and her call to action: hope is something we build together.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
Link to Lillian Vanvieldt-Gray's "More Than Pink" interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FsNGdr4hSg
About the Guests:
Lillian Vanvieldt-Grey: A senior executive, stage III breast cancer survivor, and passionate advocate for early detection and workplace support. She helped launch Alliant’s Cancer ERG and works to uplift others through education and community.
Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook.
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.cancare.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
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📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book.
Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook.
