Beyond treatment: Cancer Community Clubhouse founder shares why survivorship support matters

For many people, cancer survivorship begins the moment they hear the words, "You have cancer." Yet support often fades long before the physical, emotional and practical challenges of survivorship end.

In the latest episode of Nevada Cancer Coalition's Cancer Talks podcast, host Kristen Hackbarth sits down with Natalie Stevenson, founder of northern Nevada’s Cancer Community Clubhouse, to discuss the realities of life after a cancer diagnosis and why community-based survivorship support is essential.

Stevenson knows those challenges firsthand. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32 and later facing a stage 4 metastatic diagnosis, she experienced the isolation, uncertainty, and long-term side effects that many survivors face after treatment ends. When she moved back to northern Nevada in 2020, she discovered a significant gap in survivorship resources and set out to help fill it.

That effort became Cancer Community Clubhouse, a Sparks-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by all types of cancer. The organization provides fitness rehabilitation programs, support groups, mental health services, wellness activities and peer connections designed to help survivors navigate life during and after treatment.

One of the key themes of the conversation is that cancer care extends beyond medical treatment. While healthcare providers focus on treating disease, survivors often continue to experience physical limitations, emotional distress, medication side effects and concerns about recurrence for years after treatment ends.

"People don't realize how much support they may need until they find it," Stevenson explains during the episode. Through exercise programs, counseling, support groups and wellness activities, Cancer Community Clubhouse helps survivors rebuild strength, confidence and connection.

The discussion also explores:

• Why survivorship care is becoming increasingly important as more people live longer after cancer
• The emotional impact that can emerge after treatment is completed
• How fitness programs can improve both physical and mental well-being
• The need for greater referrals to supportive services
• Challenges in engaging more men in survivorship programs
• Plans to expand access through virtual programming and new nutrition-focused services

For ThriveNV, the conversation reinforces a critical message: survivorship is not simply about surviving cancer. It is about living well afterward.

As Nevada's cancer survivor population continues to grow, community-based organizations such as Cancer Community Clubhouse play an increasingly important role in helping people manage the long-term effects of cancer and treatment while improving quality of life.

We encourage survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community partners to listen to the episode and learn more about the resources available across Nevada.

Listen to the full Cancer Talks episode featuring Natalie Stevenson on NCC’s Substack, and learn more about Cancer Community Clubhouse at cancercommunityclubhouse.org.