Be Your Own Health Advocate - Risky Benefits S4, Ep. #12

Giving yourself grace to endure life’s stresses and advocating for yourself when something feels “off” with your body can lead to your personal growth, self awareness – and in some cases – your own survival. When healthcare limitations and red tape become obstacles to seeking the healthcare answers you need, do not give up. 

Listen as Risky Benefits Podcast guest, Kelli Spills, shares her very personal cancer journey to help others gain perspective on the realities surrounding cancer symptoms, self advocacy when healthcare challenges don’t lead to efficient and proper diagnosis, and how developing a treatment plan, or researching alternative treatment trials can promote mindful change and positive outcomes.

If you also want to see Kelly's video that she speaks about, feel free to click & visit Stand Up To Cancer's YouTube page.



MORE ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Kelly (Spill) Bonito
3 Year Colorectal Cancer Survivor
Featured on: Stand Up 2 Cancer, The Washington Post, NBC, Everyday Health, CBS

Kelly (Spill) Bonito is a 3 year colorectal cancer survivor due to immunotherapy. She started her journey with cancer when she was 28 years old. Her symptoms arose when she was 8 months pregnant with her son. She was brushed off from a handful of doctors telling her it was internal hemorrhoids. With persistence to self advocate, she finally found a provider who listened. Kelly's plan was to explore her options by visiting three cancer centers. She was looking to find her best fit by the feeling of comfort and best treatment option. Her first stop was Memorial Sloan Kettering and it ended up being her last stop. Her initial treatment plan was chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy/radiation, and surgery. This treatment option would lead her to never being able to carry another baby again, as well as, forever having a colostomy bag. This led her and her husband to freeze embryos prior to treatment in hopes to be able to bring another baby into this world. She arrived at her appointment to schedule her first day of chemotherapy and left that appointment with a new treatment plan. Kelly's tumor tested positive for a genetic mutation called MMrd, which allowed her to be a candidate for an immunotherapy now named Dostarlimab. Kelly made a brave decision being the fourth patient in the USA to undergo this treatment.

Kelly is a wife,now a mother of two, runs her own health and wellness business, and is a patient advocate for Colorectal Cancer and clinical trials. She continues to advocate to bring hope and awareness for this cancer that is on the rise for individuals 50 and under. She used to be the quitest woman in the room, but now wants her voice heard on how important it is to self advocate. Kelly has been interviewed by CBS, NBC, and The Washington Post. She was featured on Stand Up 2 Cancer and currently writes a blog for

To listen in and subscribe to more episodes, visit our website: fbmc.com/podcast.