067: Facing Kidney Cancer and Refusing to Give Up: Derek DeAngelis

Derek DeAngelis has spent his career making millions of people laugh. Known to his fans as Derek D, he’s hosted more than 2,300 episodes of the two-time Webby Award-winning show Fast Lane Daily, earned three Telly Awards, and appeared on the Key of Awesome YouTube channel. In December 2024, a routine blood test changed everything. After weeks of unexplained fatigue, a CT scan revealed a massive tumor engulfing his left kidney. The doctor called him between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Six days later, Derek was on the operating table. In this episode, Derek shares his story: the out-of-body experience of hearing his diagnosis, the New Year's Eve he spent wondering if it would be his last, and the devastating discovery that the cancer had spread to his lungs and spine. Now stage 4 and on immunotherapy, Derek draws on faith, fitness, and creativity to confront his disease every day. Our conversation with Derek is about resilience, discipline, and the importance of showing up, even when the odds are against you. Featured Guest: Derek DeAngelis (Derek D): Actor, comedian, and online host. Three-time Telly Award winner. Currently battling stage 4 kidney cancer with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) and radiation. Lives in Wall, New Jersey. Key Topics: · Routine bloodwork that led to a devastating diagnosis, even when he looked healthy · The phone call from his doctor: "You have a massive tumor engulfing your kidney" · Surgery six days after diagnosis · Telling his family, and a New Year's Eve spent wondering if it would be his last · Going public with the diagnosis and choosing vulnerability over silence · Watching Rocky in the recovery room and creating an inspirational video · Cancer spreading to his lungs and spine · The gym as a sanctuary and fitness as a recovery tool · His friend Alan Kaufman (Ep. 029), a cancer survivor who modeled how to keep moving · Discipline over motivation: "You don't want to do it. You just do it." · Being your own advocate: The importance of not ignoring symptoms Timestamps: 00:00 Episode teaser clip 00:50 Introduction and guest bio 04:00 Fast Lane Daily and building a comedy career 06:00 The birthmark surgery at 15 and what it taught him 09:00 Routine bloodwork to a phone call that changed everything 12:30 "You have a massive tumor": The moment his world stopped 15:00 Surgery in six days 15:32 Telling his family 17:09 Going public with the diagnosis 21:50 Mid-roll: Supporting AACR Foundation 22:43 Rocky in the recovery room 27:22 Derek's recovery video montage 30:22 The cancer spreads: Metastasis to lungs and spine 33:23 Faith, family, and the daily fight 36:03 How fitness became his sanctuary 43:10 What does beating this look like? 45:00 What Believe in Progress means to Derek Take Action: · Donate to the AACR: https://AACR.org/Give · Get Screened: Screening is key to detecting disease early, when the cancer is more likely to be successfully treated · Subscribe to Believe in Progress: · Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4rLQyB5 · Spotify: https://sptfy.in/o700 · YouTube: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress Production Credits: · Host: Mitch Stoller · Guest: Derek DeAngelis (“Derek D”) · Executive Producer: Anthony Lopes · Executive Producer: Michael Leary · Producer: Mitch Stoller · Producer: Heather Holland · Director: Anthony Lopes · Creative Director / Director of Photography: Michael Leary · Writer: Anthony Lopes · Editor: Michael Leary Believe in Progress is produced by CollegeCast LLC. Check out more episodes: https://AACR.org/BelieveInProgress