CANCER + VOCATION:

Making Meaning

While Sustaining Oneself

Monday, June 12, 2023

1 - 2 PM CT / 2 - 3 PM ET

Via Zoom

Experiencing a serious condition like cancer – whether as a patient or a loved one – prompts a slew of changes, sometimes including shifts in vocation. This webinar will explore how we navigate these shifts. How do we understand ourselves and our life stories when coping with a major health crisis? How might our priorities and sense of purpose evolve in the midst of cancer? And how can we support ourselves and each other in pursuing meaningful aspirations while still prioritizing treatment and wellness? Our speakers will share their insights from living and working in tandem with illness and care.

Speakers

Thor Ringler

Poet and Therapist at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital

Nicole Schalmo

Professional Actress and Glioblastoma Survivor

Thor Ringler is the national program manager for My Life, My Story and works as a writer-editor at the VA hospital in Madison, WI. He has an MFA in Poetry from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Edgewood College.

Nicole Schalmo was born in Colorado Springs, CO and raised in San Bernardino, CA. She attended Adelphi University where she received her B.F.A and has lived in New York City since 2009. In 2018 Nicole underwent a craniotomy to remove a mass that would later be diagnosed as a Grade IV Glioblastoma. Nicole began a treatment plan that included 6 months of radiation therapy 5 days a week, combined with oral doses of chemotherapy taken for 5 days every 23 days for a year. Her last dose was in September of 2019. During her treatment, Nicole completed filming a feature film in which she led and was later cast in a new play in NYC, “Kelly [1955].” Furthermore, Nicole's remarkable dedication to fighting her cancer propelled her to explore running, completing the NYC Half-Marathon in 2020 while also raising funds for The American Brain Tumor Association. Since finishing her treatment, Nicole has completed 5 half marathons. Nicole's compass has turned to finding joy. Driven by her passion for performance, she also continues to hone those skills as well by engaging in regular private voice sessions.

Resources

From the webinar (listed by category, then in order referenced)

Any resources mentioned by our panelists during the event will be added here afterwards!

Our speakers in action

Nicole's webpage
Thor's work featured by Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Wisconsin Public Radio
Nicole's story featured by Everyday Health
Thor on the podcast GeriPal

Learn more

"My Life, My Story" at the VA
Resources related to work and cancer:
- Cancer and Careers
- Triage Cancer

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER (PDF)

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER (PNG)

All images are photos taken by Elena Lindstrom, provided by speakers, or sourced from Canva.