Ep# 128 Scarlett James

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In Episode 128 of the Living the Authentic Life Podcast, we welcome a truly extraordinary guest: Scarlett James, my Godchild and co-founder of The Scarlett Fund at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center(MSK). In 2014, at just 6 years old, Scarlett was diagnosed with stage 4 T-cell lymphoma and underwent over 2 years of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Her journey, however, didn’t stop with her survival.

Instead, Scarlett has turned her personal battle into a mission to help other children facing cancer. According to Dr. Neal Shukla at MSK, “With the help of her family and her community, Scarlett has inspired a philanthropic movement that has raised more than $4.5M for cancer research at MSK Kids, the pediatric cancer program at MSK. Thanks to The Scarlett Fund, every child who walks through the door gets their cancer analyzed at a level that almost no other institution in the world can match.” One of Scarlett’s most touching initiatives is The Scarlett Fund Card Project. During her time in the hospital, friends and classmates sent her cards to show she was not alone in her battle. As Scarlett met other children in the hospital, she started writing cards of love and support, sharing how powerful and comforting it was to have those cards during her own months of treatment. The Scarlett Fund Card Project continues to grow and proudly distributes thousands of cards to children across the world battling cancer. Scarlett’s dedication doesn’t stop there—she also advocates on Capitol Hill, working to pass legislation to allow children with cancer to receive expanded access to therapies.

By raising her voice in D.C., Scarlett is fighting for the best possible treatments for young cancer patients and ensuring that life-saving therapies are available to those who need them most. If that wasn’t enough, Scarlett also interned at MSK, where she shadowed leading doctors like oncologist Dr. Diane Ready. Scarlett’s story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of turning personal struggle into advocacy and change. She is not just a survivor—she is a leader, a fighter, and a voice for children everywhere facing the battle of their lives. Tune in to this inspiring episode to hear more about Scarlett’s journey, her work, and her vision for a brighter future for children with cancer.