Takeaways

• Birthdays are a celebration of existence—and a reminder that continuing is worth honoring.
• Use your birthday as a “pause button” to reflect on what you survived, learned, and want next.
• Turn celebration into purpose by choosing one act of giving that lifts someone else up.

In this short, heartfelt episode of INDY Foundation: Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan reframes birthdays as something deeper than traditions and social posts. A birthday can be proof of survival—an annual checkpoint to reflect, reset, and honor the fact that you’re still here. Kayla also connects birthdays to purpose, challenging listeners to celebrate fully while choosing one meaningful act of service, encouragement, or giving that creates hope for someone else.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why birthdays matter beyond cake, candles, and attention
• Birthdays as proof of survival and a celebration of “continuing”
• Using birthdays as a moment of reflection and life reset
• Celebration as gratitude (not selfishness)
• Turning birthdays into purpose: giving, serving, and lifting others
• The “birthday challenge”: celebrate fully + choose one act of impact

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

Takeaways

• Galentine’s is designed to celebrate cancer warriors with confidence, community, and intentional support.
• Volunteers make the mission possible—from the smallest details to the biggest moments on stage.
• The INDY Impact is rooted in connection: reminding families facing cancer that they are not alone.

Courtney Studenski, Executive Director of the INDY Foundation, sits down with her cousin Alyssa for a Galentine’s recap from a volunteer’s perspective. They share what goes into planning and executing INDY’s signature girls’ night celebrating women battling cancer—plus the behind-the-scenes work that creates unforgettable moments for warriors and their families. The conversation highlights the power of community, the emotion of honoring a warrior who passed away, and the fun fundraising tradition of the Men of INDY. Alyssa also shares why she volunteers and encourages anyone considering it to jump in—there’s a place for every schedule and skill set.

Key Topics Covered:

• Galentine’s event mission: celebrating women (young and adult) battling cancer
• A volunteer’s “why” and how giving back can also refill your own cup
• Behind-the-scenes planning: detail, teamwork, and volunteer coordination
• Warrior experience: confidence, family moments, and meaningful connection
• Tribute to Nikki Langer and the power of community through grief
• Men of INDY and the event’s fundraising impact for Minnesota cancer warriors
• How to get involved as an INDY volunteer (weekly, committee, or day-of)

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

Takeaways

• Confidence after cancer is a daily practice, not a destination
• Choosing yourself is essential for healing and survival
• Old habits returning doesn’t mean failure — awareness creates growth

In this episode, Kayla Keenan explores what confidence really looks like after cancer and trauma. Rather than being fearless, confidence is about self-trust, awareness, and choosing yourself again and again. Listeners are reminded that healing isn’t linear and that they are not broken — they are becoming.

Key Topics Covered:

• Redefining confidence after cancer
• Choosing yourself after trauma
• Healing, identity, and self-trust
• Boundaries, rest, and emotional awareness
• Coming home to yourself after survivorship

Whether you're navigating cancer, grief, identity shifts, or simply looking to reconnect with your true self, this episode is for you.

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761