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 »
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Desiree Burgos, 32, Endometrial Cancer At 31 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer that had spread to my ovaries and lungs. Hearing those words changed
Reading Time: 4 minutesBy: Michelle Kolb, 36, Triple Negative Breast Cancer I was 35 when stage 4 triple negative stole my shine. Not breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer. The one with no
The Day Stage 4 Triple-Negative Stole my Shine Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Natasha Parker, 40, Breast Cancer I used to believe I understood cancer. As a nurse, I had stood at countless bedsides adjusting IV pumps, explaining lab results, translating complex
From Both Sides of the Stethoscope Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesBy: Brittany Groover, 32, Melanoma The biggest lesson I have learned from cancer is that there is no finish line. Not in the way people imagine. You do not cross
Cancer is a Journey: Not a Finish Line Read More »
