From Overwhelmed to Informed: Helping Caregivers Navigate Health Information

Medical terms, treatment plans, and new information can feel overwhelming when your child has a serious illness. In this episode of Caregivers SHARE, Mark Brown, MDiv, talks with Samantha Ransone, PhD, and caregiver Harry Walker (“Big Harry”) about health literacy, or understanding and using health information.  

Harry’s son, “Little Harry,” was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2023 at age 2. Big Harry learned how to communicate with the care team as his son went through treatment.  

Throughout this episode, the group talks about steps caregivers can take to get the medical information they need in a way that makes sense to them. Caregivers will learn practical ways to ask questions, talk with their child’s care team, find online health information that they can trust, and use AI as a starting point but not a final answer.  

Caregivers are reminded that no question is too simple. Speaking up and sharing how they learn best can help families take part in their child’s care. 

A special thank you our host, Mark Brown, director of Spiritual Care at St. Jude; our expert, Samantha Ransone, director of Medical Content and Patient Outreach at St. Jude; and parent Harry Walker. 

Learn more about Harry’s diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) on St. Jude Care & Treatment and Together by St. Jude™. 

Learn more about Harry’s treatment and his story.  

This episode was recorded on October 7, 2026. 

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