After facing breast cancer under the age of 40, I found it difficult to find others who “got it.” Cancer is isolating, scary, and dumb. I often saw no one my age at the cancer center, along with other patients who gave me pitying looks. Eventually, I just crawled into a mental corner believing I was completely alone.

Then I found the AYA cancer space including Stupid Cancer. Organizations like this facilitate and encourage community connections among people diagnosed with cancer ages 15 – 39. Attending Stupid Cancer’s annual CancerCon Live 2024 allowed me to grow as an individual while making new friends. From art therapy to movement based experiences, this opportunity allowed my mind to discover the world of people like me who “get it.”

The dance party aka The Lone Star Bash was a particularly profound experience for me. Cancer changed my body, leading to a negative body image. Seeing everyone dancing freely and in different ways helped me feel accepted. I didn’t need to be a certain shape or size to enjoy dancing. Feeling free for the first time since my diagnosis was one of the greatest gifts CancerCon gave me. And this would not have been possible without all the other wonderful attendees and the donors who allowed me to attend on a scholarship.

Thank you, Stupid Cancer 🙂

By: Rachel Becker