Reading Time: < 1 minute Jace, 27, Non Hodgkin Lymphoma Jace shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Jace shares the lasting effects cancer has had on his life through his incredibly moving poem titled, “The Survivor”, highlighting the battle of […]
Reading Time: < 1 minute Thomas, 38, Caregiver Thomas shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Thomas shares his perspective of having a younger brother with cancer and his initial struggle to process his diagnosis when he was a teenager. While he initially
The Community I Didn’t Know I Needed Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alexa, 27, Thyroid Cancer Alexa shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Alexa shares her story of being diagnosed with thyroid cancer after reaching a peak in her career as a comedian and the difficulty in adjusting to this
Courage over Comfort Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Liz, 34, Appendix Cancer Liz shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. After recently finishing chemo, Liz highlights how making art has shifted her perspective of the world throughout her treatment. While she experienced daily challenges throughout her chemo,
Living in the Moment Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ophir, 31, GIST Ophir shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Ophir sheds light on her experience living with a rare cancer and the feeling of isolation that accompanies the journey. As an entrepreneur, CEO, and someone who
Where Is My Brain? Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Anthony, 32, Brain Tumor Anthony shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Anthony shares his experience with having cancer since he was 17 and the emotional distress of unexpectedly being re-diagnosed 2 years ago. His story balances both humor
Managing the Unknown Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ranjit, 35, Osteosarcoma Ranjit shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Ranjit reflects on growing up while having cancer at 15 years old and the impact it had on his identity as both an athlete and
Reclaiming Life After Disability Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute Phoebe, 23, Hodgkin Lymphoma Phoebe shared their story at the 2026 AYA Week Storytelling Open Mic Event in NYC. Phoebe reflects on her cancer journey through an impactful poem, highlighting the challenges she experienced while trying to process her diagnosis and the lingering impact it has
The Before and After Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Tony Cerino, 49, Testicular Cancer June 1993. I was sixteen years old. The ACC championship was a few days behind us. I had pitched the season at a Jesuit
The Arc Is Longer Than Anyone Told Me Read More »
