Life is Just Stupid Short

Russ Conrad passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023. Locally known as radio personality “Your Buddy Russ”, Russ leaves a legacy of community service and giving back to others. Notably, the Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Fund was one of the many causes that Russ championed. He assisted in efforts to raise money for fellow cancer patients who were also receiving treatments at Lake Charles Memorial Cancer Center. Along with the entire Lake Charles community, LCMHS and the clinical staff of our Cancer Center are deeply saddened by the loss of yet another bright light in our community to cancer. Despite decades of research, as of today, there is no true cure for this terrible disease. However, patients like Russ, and many others we see daily, continue to inspire us to do all we can to provide quality care and treatment to our patients and to continue our contributions to every possible effort to find a cure for cancer. We are joined together with our community in prayer for Russ’ family and friends during their time of loss.

Cancer Treatment - Close to home, in just a few minutes

Russ Conrad, a local radio DJ, also known as “Your Buddy Russ” to Southwest Louisiana residents, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2021. As with most patients, it was the last thing he would ever expect to deal with.

Russ' love for Lake Charles is strong and runs very deep in the community. When he’s not at the radio station, you can find him participating in community and charity events and various activities across SWLA. Whether you are attending a dinner, wedding, benefit, bingo game, or even a Mardi Gras parade, you can always recognize the voice of “Your Buddy Russ.”

How It All Began

In late 2021, Russ began experiencing difficulty breathing from one side of his nose. When the issues didn’t subside after trips to his doctor, an ENT specialist was able to identify an abnormal growth inside of his left sinus cavity. The growth was surgically removed, and Russ expected that he would move on and continue on his way. However, at the post-op appointment the doctor relayed discomforting news: he had olfactory neuroblastoma.

Russ assumed it wasn’t great news, but he wasn't sure what it all meant. The doctor explained that the cancer had spread to both of his sinus cavities and was in close proximity to his brain. He was told a second surgery was needed to remove the cancer.

“Everyone says 'you have cancer' are the three words that you don’t ever want to hear, and I can tell you, you don’t!” Russ recalls, “It still didn’t set in until I went home and showed my mom, a 30-year nurse. She looked at me and said, Russ, you have cancer.”

“It still didn’t set in until I went home and showed my mom, a 30-year nurse. She looked at me and said, Russ, you have cancer.”

A Local Option for Cancer Treatment

Because of the sensitive location, the cancer required specialized, targeted treatment. In addition to chemotherapy, Russ was to receive radiation therapy five times a week over 30 days.

“The chemo was to weaken the cancer and the radiation was going to do the heavy lifting, like getting rid of a tree stump,” explains Russ.

Finding it more feasible to receive radiation treatments locally, Russ and his oncologist in Baton Rouge worked together with the Radiation Oncology team at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Center. This allowed Russ to minimize his trips to Baton Rouge, and stay close to his family and friends.

“If you are on the fence, at least talk to the staff at Lake Charles Memorial. They have the people, the facility, and they have the equipment that the big boys have in Houston and Baton Rouge,” Russ says.

"They have the people, the facility, and they have the equipment that the big boys have in Houston and Baton Rouge."

Renewed Energy for a New Mission

Russ has taken his childhood dream of being in radio even further. As someone who is involved in the community, he uses his platform to do more outreach to other cancer patients along with those patients’ support teams of friends and family. He says, “I always want them to know their ‘Buddy Russ’ has their back.”

Life after a cancer diagnosis may never be as it was before. Russ uniquely describes it as: “normal is just a setting on a dryer.” His experience with cancer, he says, really put life into perspective. He now has a deeper appreciation for all the twists and turns life can throw at you as you try as hard as you can to find even a small silver lining in it all.

And now, some wise words from your “Buddy Russ”:

“Tell someone you love them. Make it weird, make it awkward, make sure the people around you know you care about them, because life is just stupid short.”

For more information on radiation oncology services available at LCMHS, nationally recognized cancer treatment center, please visit lcmh.com/cancer or call 337.494.3000.