At just 19 years old, while a sophomore in college, Adam VanDeventer heard the words no teenager expects to face: Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s large B-cell lymphoma. What followed was a season of uncertainty and courage, where the normal rhythms of college life gave way to treatments, questions, and the fight for a future.
In this conversation, Adam opens up about how he processed cancer as a young adult. From the shock of his diagnosis to balancing the life of a college student with the reality of treatment. He shares the lessons that carried him through those long months and the importance of support from family and friends support helped along his journey.
Now serving as Community Affairs Manager at Halliburton, Adam shares how the resilience and perspective born from his diagnosis continue to influence the way he leads, builds relationships, and impacts his community.
This is a story of courage, growth, and the long-lasting imprint of hope. One that will encourage anyone walking through hardship to see that their journey can shape them in meaningful ways.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About the Guest:
Adam VanDeventer is a cancer survivor and the Community Affairs Manager at Halliburton. Diagnosed at just 19 years old with Stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s large B-cell lymphoma, Adam’s journey through cancer shaped his outlook on life and the person he is today, both personally and professionally.
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.
