We sit down with Dr. Gary Simmons and Fred Varewyck to explain CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma and what it can mean for deeper remission and real time away from treatment. Dr. Gary Simmons unpacks how CAR T works, why it’s a major advancement in blood cancer care, and what “treatment-free time” can look like when it succeeds.

We also get specific about the lived experience. Fred walks through diagnosis, stem cell transplant, relapse, and the mindset that helped him say yes when CAR T finally became possible. Dr. Simmons explains the practical timeline, including the four-to-six-week manufacturing window, and why some patients need urgent “bridge” treatment first. Then we dive into what makes Virginia Oncology Associates’ outpatient CAR T model so meaningful: infusion at the clinic, daily check-ins, and recovery at home rather than hospitalization.

The other thread running through everything is support and trustworthy information. We talk about why “Google medicine” can push patients away from the right care, why you should speak with clinicians who specialize in cellular therapy, and how caregivers make appointments easier for patients by taking notes or recording guidance. Fred shares community resources that help patients feel less alone (check out the show notes).

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with someone navigating multiple myeloma, and leave a review so more patients and caregivers can find these conversations.

Dr. Gary L. Simmons is a recognized national leader in the advancement of community-based oncology. Within the US Oncology Network, he has been instrumental in bridging the gap between academic research and community access, with a specific clinical focus on CAR T-Cell Therapy and its evolving role in patient care, the treatment of complex Hematologic malignancies, and expanding the reach of advanced cellular therapies beyond the traditional university hospital setting.

Resources:

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1712533/full

https://www.polygonhealth.co/map

https://www.facebook.com/groups/239866928407935

Southeastern Virginia (SEVA) Multiple Myeloma Support Group. Email Brenda Riggs or Stephanie Kailos at seva@imfsupport.org

Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com.

Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com. or find us on Facebook or Instagram at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Cancer doesn’t just change lab results; it reshapes daily life. Our Virginia Oncology Associates Social Work team opens the door to whole-person care, starting at diagnosis. They show how early outreach, clear planning, and steady advocacy can turn fear into manageable steps. They share how they coordinate transportation, housing, grants, insurance, and disability applications while offering the kind of emotional support that helps patients and caregivers breathe, decide, and move forward.

Throughout this episode, you’ll hear powerful, practical moments from the field: a rapid housing save that kept a parent connected to her kids, a coordinated relocation that preserved treatment access and family support, and a path from sudden job loss to financial stability through grants, Medicaid, and disability appeals. We also look straight at the quiet worries many carry: being a burden, losing control, or not being heard, and walk through tools that bring relief: caregiver naming and respite, values-based care planning, and family meetings that honor the patient’s voice.

We explain why timing matters. Many resources run on clocks: public housing waitlists, SNAP approvals, Medicaid enrollment, FMLA paperwork, and Social Security reviews. Reaching out early helps you line up the right resources before a crisis hits, protecting treatment schedules and reducing financial strain.

If today’s stories resonate, ask your clinical team to connect you with your social worker, or check whether oncology social work is available where you receive care. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help others find support sooner.

Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com.

Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com. or find us on Facebook or Instagram at Virginia Oncology Associates.

Forget the old narrative that lung cancer belongs only to smokers. We open the door to a different reality: a rising number of women, many in their 30s to 50s, who never smoked, face late-stage diagnoses and limited options. With Dr. John Xie from Virginia Oncology Associates, we break down the biology that sets non-smoker lung cancers apart and the practical steps that can save lives through earlier detection and smarter treatment.

Dr. Xie explains how genetics, hormones, and environment intersect, with a particular focus on East Asian women who show a higher prevalence of EGFR-driven disease. A vivid case study of a 40-year-old non-smoker misdirected toward melanoma reveals how easily lung cancer hides behind atypical symptoms like vision loss, fatigue, or bone pain, and why biopsy and staging matter before assumptions take over.

From there, we dive into solutions. Precision oncology has changed the map: EGFR inhibitors now extend median survival in stage four disease, and combinations with chemotherapy are pushing gains further. Early-stage detection is where cure lives, and new evidence from a study of 1,000 East Asian non-smoking women shows low-dose CT can find lung cancers at stages one to three with detection rates similar to smokers. We talk through access hurdles, how to push for imaging when symptoms persist, and the promise of pairing low-dose CT with routine mammograms to simplify screening for select women.

If you or someone you love has risk factors like East Asian ancestry, a family history of lung cancer, or unexplained symptoms that won’t resolve: ask for evaluation and consider low-dose CT.

Dr. John Xie is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He grew up in Connecticut and studied at Columbia University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. After that, he obtained his Doctorate in Medicine from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and finished his internal medicine residency at Tulane Medical Center.

Dr. Xie treats patients with all types of cancer and blood disorders. He remains actively engaged in advancing the field of hematology and oncology, particularly through clinical trials. He has published peer-reviewed research in several publications, including Leukemia & Lymphoma. He has also presented at numerous conferences, including the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

Resources:

• American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/
• https://clinicaltrials.gov/
• Female Asian Nonsmoker Screening Study: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.8510
• Stanford Study: https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/05/lung-cancer-women-mammogram-screening.html

Thank you for listening! If you're interested in hearing more from Virginia Oncology Associates, make sure to subscribe to Cancer Care Connections on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere podcasts are available, or listen online at cancercareconnections.buzzsprout.com.

Cancer Care Connections is the official podcast of Virginia Oncology Associates. For more information, visit us at VirginiaCancer.com. or find us on Facebook or Instagram at Virginia Oncology Associates.