Philanthropy SA Podcast · Philanthropy SA Podcast

Philanthropy SA Episode 43 - Erin Ercoline and the ThriveWell Cancer Foundation

·27 min·1 clip

ThriveWell depends on individual donors, family foundations, and major supporters like Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Dan Redman kicks things off with a little travel-and-food banter. Erin then explains that she grew up in San Antonio, headed to the Midwest for college and graduate school, and spent a good stretch living and working in the St. Louis area. That background becomes the doorway into ThriveWell’s mission. Redman keeps the setup straightforward and gives Erin room to describe the organization in practical terms. ThriveWell serves people who need support during a cancer journey, and the episode makes clear that this work is tangible, not abstract. It centers on help people can actually use during treatment and recovery. Erin describes the Diva and Dude program as a major part of that support. The program has about 2,500 people on the roster. Roughly 250 to 300 people participate each month. They take part in exercise classes and nutrition classes. The organization also offers a monthly art project. That matters because the conversation treats art as fellowship and community, not decoration. All of the services are free. Erin says that is important for people who cannot afford a gym or a personal trainer. The episode also directs listeners to the website and phone line for registration and questions. Redman and Erin talk about the value of having a real person answer the phone. The conversation then broadens to the larger nonprofit landscape. They discuss how ThriveWell works with other cancer-oriented groups through referrals and shared support, and how many national organizations with local chapters had pulled out of San Antonio before COVID. The episode closes by returning to the idea that local organizations matter when people are facing a crisis.

As heard by us

A plainspoken look at free cancer support work in San Antonio.

Philanthropy SA keeps this conversation close to the ground. Dan Redman lets Erin Erkelein walk through ThriveWell's work with people affected by cancer in San Antonio, from the organization's roots and family background to the practical help: exercise classes, nutrition…

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Why you'd press play

See how ThriveWell turns diagnosis support into free, practical community care for people in San Antonio.

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