Podcast Summary

Podcast: Earn the Right to Live Your Dreams
Host: Dr. Coyte Cooper
Episode: 10 – Interview: Kasie Lynne on Always Finding the Good
Date: December 15, 2015

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Kasie Lynne, a two-time cancer survivor and founder of the KH Kids (Kasie Helps Kids) nonprofit. Host Dr. Coyte Cooper invites Kasie to share her personal journey from adolescent cancer patient to passionate advocate for children and families affected by cancer. The discussion centers on resilience, finding purpose from adversity, and actionable ways to give back—and Kasie’s unstoppable optimism in the face of continuous challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kasie’s Backstory: A Battle with Cancer Turned Calling

• Diagnosis and Early Struggles

  • Kasie recounts being diagnosed with thyroid papillary cancer at 12, going through intensive treatment, relapsing at 14, and enduring a long road to remission.
  • [01:37] “I underwent a surgery that lasted about eight hours and that’s when I was diagnosed. We had found out I had spread to my lymph nodes… I went into remission that year and then the next year after that I relapsed…” (Kasie)

• Honest Look at Mindset Shifts

  • She acknowledges that positivity wasn’t automatic and that she struggled with periods of depression and doubt.
  • [03:06] “Don’t ever let your past define you…there’s been times I have wanted to give up…It’s definitely changing your mindset.” (Kasie)

2. Transforming Pain Into Purpose: Giving Back Through KH Kids

• Founding the Nonprofit

  • After sharing her story publicly, Kasie noticed it inspired others, which motivated her to help kids undergoing treatment by distributing teddy bears—symbolic of her own experience of isolation during care.
  • [06:43] “…I started traveling a lot and speaking to kids…we got 400 teddy bears…attached my story to them…The teddy bear could always be with you, so I started distributing them out to hospitals all across the nation.” (Kasie)

• KH Kids’ Evolving Mission and Programs

  • The organization now offers financial assistance to families, plus fun “normalcy” activities like group outings and hospital parties.
  • [08:47] “We donate $500 per year to each [family] to help with medications, co-pays, travel expenses to and from the hospital...We also do things like we have fun days...Just connecting the families and the kids and getting their minds off of [being sick] and being normal.” (Kasie)

3. Learning from “Heroes” – Stories of Strength from Others

• Personal Impact Stories

  • Kasie highlights Jamarcus, a young patient passionate about writing music—even in the hospital—whose legacy lives on through a collaborative music project.
  • [10:13] “One particular, his name is Jamarcus...he would write music. We all went in the room, we recorded a CD, and he actually ended up passing away a couple weeks later...That will be with us forever.” (Kasie)

• Lessons from Kids Facing Illness

  • Kasie reveals how children’s resilience and outlook have strengthened her in her own struggles:
  • [11:59] “They are so strong...Even when I go through daily struggles…I always look at them and I’m like, wow...they have just such a positive outlook on it.” (Kasie)

4. The Love Helps Kids Tour: Ambitious Advocacy

• Details of the Nationwide Tour

  • The “Love Helps Kids Tour” aims to reach all 50 states, visiting over 60 hospitals and hosting 35+ fashion show fundraisers, featuring cancer survivors as models.
  • [12:56] “…We are visiting over 60 hospitals right now. We have a little over 35 fashion show fundraisers planned…all the models were currently going through cancer or survivors…” (Kasie)

• Ways for Listeners to Get Involved

  • Kasie invites participation through volunteering, organizing events, or direct donations; all info is listed on their website and social media.
  • [14:34] “…People can volunteer at fashion shows...they can help us...with pizza and movie night parties at the hospitals. We always need volunteers and help…” (Kasie)

5. Personal Mission and Advice to Others

• Defining Success and Dealing with Fear

  • Kasie admits to doubt and nervousness about big goals but relies on support systems and focuses on experiences, not just financial outcomes.
  • [17:23] “…I am scared. I am really nervous about this. I don’t know that I’m necessarily afraid of failing, but I just, I want everything to work out…In the end…it’s not about how much money we raise. If that kid has had fun that night at the fashion show, we have done our job.” (Kasie)

• Advice on Pursuing Passion

  • She urges listeners not to wait for tragedy to find their calling:
  • [19:31] “Some people look at me and say, oh, well, she went through cancer, that’s why she knows her passion…And I don’t think that’s true at all. It just takes a little bit longer to find that…Just getting out there and helping people, and that’s just what it’s about. It’s giving back.” (Kasie)

• How to Help and Connect

  • Kasie provides multiple outlets for support: teddy bear/toy donations, volunteering, organizing care packages, and more, all through khkidz.org.
  • [20:51] “…You can become a volunteer. You can have a pizza party at the hospital...We’re always needing help because I can’t be in all these places by myself…You can find all of our information at khkidz.org…” (Kasie)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mindset:
  • [03:06] “Don’t ever let your past define you…I can’t say I’ve been positive 100% all throughout it…It’s definitely changing your mindset.” (Kasie)
• On Using Pain for Purpose:
  • [06:43] “I went through this. I can use this to help other people…why wouldn’t I do that?” (Kasie)
• On Learning from Others:
  • [11:59] “They are so strong…they have just such a positive outlook on it. So that’s been really amazing…to witness.” (Kasie)
• On Ambitious Goals:
  • [12:56] “…It just kind of seemed like way too big, you know, for me to even think about doing…but now…we are visiting over 60 hospitals…” (Kasie)
• Advice for the Uncertain:
  • [19:31] “I think for some people, they think that they need to go through something traumatic…And I don’t think that’s true at all…Just getting out there and helping people, and that’s what it’s about.” (Kasie)

Important Timestamps

• [01:37] Kasie’s cancer story and first diagnosis
• [03:06] Shifting mindset and seeing purpose in adversity
• [06:43] The origin and evolution of KH Kids
• [10:13] Story of Jamarcus and the impact of the kids KH Kids helps
• [12:56] Details of the Love Helps Kids national tour
• [14:34] How listeners can volunteer and support the cause
• [17:23] Being vulnerable about fear, pressure, and real success
• [19:31] Advice on purpose-driven living and giving back
• [20:51] Practical steps on how to help and get involved

Final Takeaways

This episode is an uplifting, candid reflection on transforming adversity into impact. Kasie Lynne’s journey underscores the power of mindset, the importance of support, and the extraordinary ripple effect of small acts of kindness. She encourages everyone—regardless of their past hardships—to find their way to give back and to focus on the good, no matter the circumstances.

For more or to get involved, visit: khkidz.org