
Strength in Gratitude
02/25/25 • 16 min
We’re joined by speaker, entrepreneur, and author James Malinchak, who shares his personal journey of grief, resilience, and gratitude following his sister Vicki’s cancer diagnosis. James recounts his upbringing in a small steel mill town, his path as a basketball player, and his transition into a successful business career. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he received a devastating call—his sister Vicki had a brain tumor and only a few months to live.
James opens up about the shock, grief, and anger he experienced, as well as the profound lessons he learned. He describes the pivotal moment when he found solace through a message that reminded him that “tough times never last, but tough people do.” This shift in perspective helped him move from pain to purpose, focusing on gratitude for the time he had with Vicki rather than the loss.
Throughout the conversation, James offers heartfelt insights on cherishing every moment, surrounding yourself with positive influences, and finding strength in adversity. His story is a testament to resilience, the power of perspective, and the impact of choosing gratitude even in the most difficult times.
James and Darcie co-authored Hope in the Face of Cancer: A Collection of Powerful and Uplifting Stories from Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Healthcare Professionals.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About the Guests:
James Malinchak- Best known for his heartfelt appearance on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, James has dedicated his life to uplifting others through his inspiring words and actionable wisdom. He has shared over 2,000 messages of hope and motivation with businesses, schools, and communities worldwide. James was a caregiver to his older sister, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 38 years old.
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
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We’re joined by speaker, entrepreneur, and author James Malinchak, who shares his personal journey of grief, resilience, and gratitude following his sister Vicki’s cancer diagnosis. James recounts his upbringing in a small steel mill town, his path as a basketball player, and his transition into a successful business career. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he received a devastating call—his sister Vicki had a brain tumor and only a few months to live.
James opens up about the shock, grief, and anger he experienced, as well as the profound lessons he learned. He describes the pivotal moment when he found solace through a message that reminded him that “tough times never last, but tough people do.” This shift in perspective helped him move from pain to purpose, focusing on gratitude for the time he had with Vicki rather than the loss.
Throughout the conversation, James offers heartfelt insights on cherishing every moment, surrounding yourself with positive influences, and finding strength in adversity. His story is a testament to resilience, the power of perspective, and the impact of choosing gratitude even in the most difficult times.
James and Darcie co-authored Hope in the Face of Cancer: A Collection of Powerful and Uplifting Stories from Cancer Survivors, Caregivers, and Healthcare Professionals.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About the Guests:
James Malinchak- Best known for his heartfelt appearance on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, James has dedicated his life to uplifting others through his inspiring words and actionable wisdom. He has shared over 2,000 messages of hope and motivation with businesses, schools, and communities worldwide. James was a caregiver to his older sister, who was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 38 years old.
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Previous Episode

Leading with Purpose
For this special episode of 'Hope in the Face of Cancer', CanCare President and CEO Darcie Wells joins Dorothy Gibbons, founder and CEO of The Rose, on The Rose Podcast: Let's Talk about Your Breasts for a heartfelt conversation about the power of support and connection in the cancer community.
Together, they share what it takes to lead a nonprofit with compassion, how CanCare grew from a local Texas organization to serving people across all 50 states, and how the challenges of the pandemic sparked innovation and growth. Darcie also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the matching and training process that equips CanCare volunteers to walk alongside those facing cancer with empathy and understanding.
This is more than a discussion about nonprofits—it’s a conversation about inspiration, dedication, and the impact of leading authentically. Join us for this inspiring exchange between two leaders dedicated to making a difference in the cancer community.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About the Guests:
Dorothy Gibbons, founder and CEO of The Rose. Host of The Rose Podcast: Let's Talk about Your Breasts. The Rose is a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every woman has access to life-saving breast health care.
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
Next Episode

A Year of Hope and Impact
2024 was a year of incredible impact at CanCare. In this episode, we’re reflect on the outreach we’ve done, the lives we’ve touched, and the many ways we’ve supported those facing cancer this year. From one-on-one emotional support to community programs and new partnerships, our mission continues to grow, reaching more patients, caregivers, and survivors when they need it most.
Join us as we share the impact of CanCare’s work, the stories that have inspired us, and how we’re continuing to bring hope and healing to those on the cancer journey.
Mentioned Resources:
CanCare- www.cancare.org
About Our Host:
Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.
https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInc
https://www.instagram.com/cancare_inc
Thanks for listening!
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.
Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!
Subscribe to the podcast
If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.
Leave us an Apple Podcasts review
Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
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