Episode 4: Fertility Preservation Decisions

Some treatments for serious illness can affect a patient’s ability to have biological children later in life, but there are ways to protect fertility. When a child is seriously ill, fertility preservation is a tough but important topic to address.

In this episode, Mark Brown and Kari Bjornard talk with Evan Moore about fertility preservation when he was going through treatment. An elite NCAA track and cross-country athlete, Evan was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in his early 20s. Evan discusses the honest conversations he had with his mom and fiancée about preserving fertility. Kari offers insights into the timing, steps to take, talking to your care team, and other options for having a family. The group talks about staying positive and being with the people you love.

A special thank you to our host, Mark Brown, director of Spiritual Care Services at St. Jude; our expert Kari Bjornard, director of the Fertility Program and assistant member of the Oncology faculty at St. Jude; and patient Evan Moore.

This episode was recorded August 7, 2025. Stay tuned for a forthcoming episode on female fertility preservation decisions.

Learn more about Evan’s diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™.

Learn more about male fertility and female fertility on Together by St. Jude™.

St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.