We’re looking forward to introducing you to Elissa Kalver. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Elissa, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me is a mix of motherhood, managing my health, and building the work I love. Mornings start with getting my five-year-old out the door for school and squeezing in moments of joy together before the day gets busy.
Once she’s dropped off, I focus on WeGotThis.org and the programs we run for people facing cancer. My schedule often includes infusions, scans, or rest periods, so I plan my workload around whatever my body needs that week. I also carve out time to grow my speaking business and promote my book, which has become a meaningful way to share my story.
Evenings are for my family. Some days we go on little adventures, and other days we keep it simple at home. My husband and I also make a real effort to fit in date nights. Life looks different than it used to, but it’s full of purpose, connection, and the moments that matter most.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Elissa Kalver. I’m a mom, a stage 4 breast cancer thriver, and the founder of WeGotThis.org. I created the organization after my own diagnosis because I saw how hard it is for families to ask for help when life is turned upside down. WeGotThis.org is the first nonprofit gift registry for people facing long-term illness, and our mission is to bring comfort, dignity, and joy into homes when people need it most.
I also share my story through speaking, writing, and my new book, WE GOT THIS. I talk openly about living fully while living with cancer, and about finding connection and purpose even in the hardest moments. My hope is always the same: to make people feel less alone and to show that joy is still possible, no matter what you’re facing.
Right now we’re expanding our programs, growing our community, and creating new ways for families to feel supported. It’s my life’s mission, and I feel lucky every day to be part of something that helps people in the hard times.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before life got complicated, I was a kid who led with joy and curiosity. I grew up Massachusetts and was always the one organizing adventures, bringing people together, and believing that small moments mattered.
Somewhere along the way, I started to believe that success meant achievement and financial security. I worked hard, built a strong career, and pushed myself constantly. My priorities shifted, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.
My diagnosis changed everything. It stripped away the noise and brought me back to the core of who I’ve always been. It also showed me that the skills that once powered my career could be used to build something with real heart, which is how WeGotThis.org came to life.
The difference now is that I understand how precious life is, and I’m far more intentional about how I show up in it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a point a year into my chemo treatments when I genuinely didn’t know if I could keep going. I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep living if it meant just existing. The physical toll, nausea, exhaustion, uncertainty, and fear all felt so heavy that I couldn’t see past the moment I was in.
What shifted everything was realizing that ‘existing’ didn’t have to be my future. I started fighting for a life that felt meaningful, joyful, and connected, not just a life defined by cancer. My daughter, my husband, my family, and eventually the work I was building all gave me a reason to reimagine what living could look like.
I won’t pretend I’m fearless now. But I’m grounded. I know what I’m fighting for. And I know that even on the hardest days, I’m not just surviving. I’m intentionally choosing a life filled with joy, purpose, and love.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the nonprofit world is the idea that we’re all competing with each other. Competing for donors, competing for attention, competing for impact. When I entered this space four years ago, my ‘better together’ approach felt almost disruptive. I kept saying, What if we collaborated instead of trying to outdo one another? What if we combined our strengths instead of guarding our lanes?
The truth is, no single organization can meet every need. And families facing illness don’t care whose logo is on what; they just want support, dignity, and hope.
Some of the most powerful outcomes I’ve seen have come from teaming up with other nonprofits, brands, and creators who share the same heart. Collaboration doesn’t dilute impact. It multiplies it. And I think more of us are finally starting to recognize that.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I already live as if my time might be limited, so if someone guaranteed me ten full years, it would actually open things up for me. I would stop holding back on the bigger dreams. I would stop rushing my projects and goals in life and tell myself that it’s alright to pace my ambitions. I would map out even more of what I want to do, from adventures with my family to the stages I want to speak on to the impact I hope WeGotThis.org can make.
I would still protect my energy and say no to what doesn’t align, but I would pour even more into the things that matter. I wouldn’t be afraid of wanting more time. I would be excited to fill it with as much purpose, joy, and love as possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: elissakalver.com and wegotthis.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalver/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elissa.kalver
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LiveLikeItMattersPod
Image Credits
Michael Vincent
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