It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast Podcast Por Cathy Gildenhorn Beth Glassman and Kira Dineen (DNA Today) arte de portada

It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

De: Cathy Gildenhorn Beth Glassman and Kira Dineen (DNA Today)
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The mission of our podcast is to support you, our listeners and to create community, as you confront the toughest challenges in life. All of us will experience health hardships. The real question is how we adapt. That is the focus of It Happened To Me, which wants to help you overcome limitations and live a full and satisfying life. Drawing on their own health challenges, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman interview guests who share stories and research to help you succeed in the face of difficult health obstacles. It happened to me…I’m not alone and neither are you. We encourage you to learn more at ItHappenedToMePod.com. Please use the contact form on our website to submit your guest suggestions, comments, questions, ideas, and feedback for the show, you can also email us directly at ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Steve Holsonback is our media engineer and co-producer. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our ...All rights reserved to the team: Cathy Gildenhorn, Beth Glassman, & Kira Dineen (DNA Today) Ciencia
Episodios
  • #73 Running Toward a Cure: NF2 Advocate Becomes Marathon Runner to Raise Awareness & Funds

    #73 Running Toward a Cure: NF2 Advocate Becomes Marathon Runner to Raise Awareness & Funds
    Dec 1 2025

    In this uplifting episode, hosts Beth Glassman and Cathy Gildenhorn sit down with Leanna Scaglione, a powerhouse rare disease advocate and marathon runner living with NF2-Related Schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN), formerly known as neurofibromatosis type 2.

    Diagnosed at just 16 years old, Leanna’s life changed dramatically when tumors were discovered in her nervous system, a hallmark of NF2-SWN. Many would have slowed down. Instead, Leanna sped up.

    Today, she has:

    • Completed multiple marathons, including Berlin and New York City
    • Participated in clinical trials
    • Become an advocate and 2025 Ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation
    • Set her sights on becoming the first person with NF2 to complete all 7 Abbott World Marathon Majors

    Her message is powerful: a diagnosis doesn’t define the finish line.

    In This Episode, We Discuss:
    • What NF2-SWN is and how it impacts the nervous system
    • The emotional toll of receiving a life-altering diagnosis as a teenager
    • Losing a dream — and finding a new one
    • Running marathons through surgeries, treatments, and uncertainty
    • How advocacy and visibility can change the rare disease landscape
    • Building a life rooted in resilience, purpose, and possibility
    About Our Guest:

    Leanna Scaglione is 34 years old living with NF2-Related Schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN). Ever since being diagnosed at 16 years old, she has refused to live defined by her diagnosis.

    From relearning to walk, participating in immunotherapy drug trials, and going through numerous surgeries she has defied the odds against her. Most recently she has undergone surgery to remove her right acoustic neuroma.

    She continues to live her best life as an endurance runner, sharing her story and experiences living with NF2 in hopes to spread awareness, motivate her community and rally for a cure.

    Resources:

    • Children’s Tumor Foundation
      • NF2 Accelerator: A Strategic Portfolio Approach to End NF2
    • Articles Explaining NF2
      • MedlinePlus
      • GeneReviews
      • National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
    • Research from China that Leanna reference for a gene therapy for NF2
      • Yuan R, Wang B, Wang Y, Liu P. Gene Therapy for Neurofibromatosis Type 2-Related Schwannomatosis: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions. Oncol Ther. 2024 Jun;12(2):257-276. doi: 10.1007/s40487-024-00279-2. Epub 2024 May 17. PMID: 38760612; PMCID: PMC11187037.
    • Additional Research Articles
      • Alexandra K. O’Donohue, Samantha L. Ginn, Gaetan Burgio, Yemima Berman, Gabriel Dabscheck, Aaron Schindeler, The evolving landscape of NF gene therapy: Hurdles and opportunities, Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, Volume 36, Issue 1, 2025, 102475 ,ISSN 2162-2531, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omtn.2025.102475.
    Connect With Us:

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

    See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

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    37 m
  • #72 Wolfram Syndrome Expertise from Dr. Fumihiko Urano [Re-Release]

    #72 Wolfram Syndrome Expertise from Dr. Fumihiko Urano [Re-Release]
    Nov 18 2025

    We’re re-releasing one of our most popular episodes, an important conversation with Wolfram syndrome expert Dr. Fumi Urano.

    We’re bringing this episode back in honor of Diabetic Eye Disease Month, and because it’s the perfect follow-up to our last episode featuring Dr. Rachel Hyman and our very own co-host Cathy Gildenhorn as guests. Their experiences with the milder, adult-onset variant of Wolfram syndrome sparked so much interest, we knew this episode needed another moment in the spotlight.

    You’ll hear Cathy interview Dr. Urano, her lead physician, about symptoms, diagnosis, and promising research underway to help people with rare neurodegenerative disorders like Wolfram syndrome.

    We are thrilled to have Dr. Fumihiko Urano on “It Happened To Me” as he is our co-host Cathy’s lead doctor, for her variant of the rare disease, Wolfram Syndrome.

    Fumihiko “Fumi” Urano, MD, Ph.D., is a Physician and Medical Researcher specializing in Wolfram syndrome, characterized by juvenile-onset diabetes, vision loss, and neurodegeneration. Dr. Urano is a Professor of Medicine and Pathology & Immunology, an attending physician at Endocrinology Genetics Clinic, and currently holds Samuel E. Schechter Endowed Professorship in Medicine at Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, USA. Dr. Urano is a driving force in the study of Wolfram syndrome and Related Disorders, including WFS1-related disorders/Wolfram-like disorders. As the Director of the Wolfram Syndrome and Related Disorders Clinic and Study at Washington University Medical Center, Dr. Urano has been leading the clinical, translational, and interventional studies of Wolfram syndrome and Related disorders. Dr. Urano's collaboration with colleagues at the medical center and around the world has allowed him to develop cutting-edge treatments for this disease, including gene therapy and regenerative therapy.

    Learn more on their Wolfram syndrome website, wolframsyndrome.wustl.edu. If you want to reach out directly you can contact the Research Nurse Coordinator Stacy Hurst, RN, CDE by calling 314-747-3294 or emailing shurst@wustl.edu.

    During the episode Dr. Urano mentioned two episodes of “It Happened To Me”: during this episode. The first was our interview with Dr. Gladstone in Episode 5. He also gave a shoutout to our conversation with Stephanie Snow Gebel (Snow Foundation) in Episode 9.

    Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

    See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

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    34 m
  • #71 When the Diagnosis Comes Late: Navigating Adult Wolfram Syndrome

    #71 When the Diagnosis Comes Late: Navigating Adult Wolfram Syndrome
    Nov 3 2025
    In this insightful episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Beth Glassman and Cathy Gildenhorn (in a rare guest role!) sit down with Dr. Rachel Hyman, a clinical psychologist from Seattle whose experience with Wolfram syndrome was recently featured in The Washington Post here. Wolfram syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects vision, blood sugar regulation, and neurological function. Often diagnosed in childhood, it can present very differently from one person to another, and in this episode, we hear from two women living with a milder, adult-onset form of the condition, most common among those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Rachel and Cathy open up about the long diagnostic odyssey, early symptoms that were misunderstood, and how it feels to finally have a genetic explanation after years of uncertainty. They share how they’ve each learned to adapt, from managing diabetes and vision loss to embracing new technologies that restore independence. Their stories highlight the power of self-advocacy, medical persistence, and community, reminding listeners that awareness is often the first step toward better care and future research. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What Wolfram syndrome is and how symptoms are on a spectrum Rachel’s diagnostic journey from gestational diabetes to genetic confirmationCathy’s daily strategies for living with vision loss, pre-diabetes, and sensory changesThe role of technology and accessibility tools in maintaining independenceHow emotional resilience and community support help patients face uncertain prognosesThe critical importance of genetic testing and awareness for rare neurodegenerative diseasesHope for the future of Wolfram research and patient advocacy About the Guests Dr. Rachel Hyman Rachel Hyman is a clinical psychologist based in the Seattle area. She specializes in working with older teens and young adults navigating anxiety and depression and serves as adjunct faculty at Antioch University, where she supervises doctoral students in psychology. Rachel’s personal journey with Wolfram syndrome was featured in The Washington Post, shedding light on this underrecognized condition and the importance of accurate genetic diagnosis. Cathy Gildenhorn Usually behind the mic as co-host of It Happened To Me, Cathy joins this episode as a guest to share her own journey with Wolfram syndrome. She has devoted much of her life to improving the lives of others and connecting women to Jewish life and each other. She has served on several local, national and international boards and currently serves on the board of the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. Cathy also served as presidential appointee to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. While a council member, she worked on the opening of the museum. Recommended Resources Jewish Wolfram Network Johns Hopkins’ The Wilmer Eye Institute Wolfram Syndrome and Related Disorders Clinic and Study at Washington University Medical Center The Snow Foundation Relevant Episodes #3 Wolfram Syndrome with Cathy Gildenhorn #9 Wolfram Syndrome with Stephanie Gebel Snow #18 Hattersley-Urano Wolfram Syndrome with Parent Tamara Blum #21 Wolfram Syndrome with Parent Pat Gibilisco #26 Wolfram Syndrome Expertise from Dr. Fumihiko Urano Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”. “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer. See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.
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    28 m
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