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A Breath of Fresh Air
Reading Time: 2 minutesBy: Madison Moury, 25, Carcinoid Tumor It all started off when I randomly had a hard time breathing back in August 2024. I went to my primary care doctor and she said it was some
Cancer in Your 40s Isn’t “Adult” Cancer Either
Reading Time: 2 minutesBy: Carolyn Trachtenbroit, 35, Nonprofit Professional I didn’t know the term “adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer” when I was a child—but I lived it. My connection to the AYA cancer community began when my
Finding Hope through Education: Creating the Pediatric Hope Project
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Mikaela Hong, 17, Neuroblastoma School is one of the most important parts of childhood. It’s not just where kids learn; it’s also where friendships are formed, routines take shape, and self-esteem grows. After fighting
Coexisting Realities: When “AYA” Meets “RPCV”
Reading Time: 4 minutesBy Jo Dunne, 26, Synovial Sarcoma Early last June, I celebrated Eid at the family home of a good friend. I remembered walking up to the doorstep and being greeted by his seven young nieces,
The Survivor
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 survivorship, uncertainty, and feeling misunderstood
The Community I Didn’t Know I Needed
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 used humor and attempted to
Courage over Comfort
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 pivotal shift in her life.
Living in the Moment
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, Liz acknowledges the impact cancer
Where Is My Brain?
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 was always defined by their
Managing the Unknown
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 and true vulnerability, shedding light
Reclaiming Life After Disability
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 teenager. While he shares the
The Before and After
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 on her today. She shares
The Arc Is Longer Than Anyone Told Me
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 high school in Connecticut and
Cancer at 31
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 my life instantly. Nothing prepares
The Day Stage 4 Triple-Negative Stole my Shine
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 receptors, no hormone therapy, no
From Both Sides of the Stethoscope
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 medical language into something patients
Cancer is a Journey: Not a Finish Line
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 some magical point where everything
Humor Through Hardship
Reading Time: < 1 minute Anthony, 32, Brain Tumor Anthony shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Anthony, a stand-up comedian, reflects on living with brain cancer for 15 years. He candidly shares the setbacks
The Art of Acceptance
Reading Time: < 1 minute Quinn, 28, Liver Cancer Quinn shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Quinn shares profound insight into his experience with grief after being diagnosed with cancer, highlighting his relationship with
Life After Surgery
Reading Time: < 1 minute Julianne, 38, paraganglioma Julianne shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Julianne describes her resilient story of navigating life and recovery after having life-changing open heart surgery. She candidly opens
Carrying the Light Forward
Reading Time: < 1 minute Jon, 34, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Jon shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Jon shares his lived experiences of navigating his cancer diagnosis and vision loss, discovering the value in
New Found Confidence
Reading Time: < 1 minute Tina, 39, Breast Cancer Tina shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Tina shares her new outlook on life after living with stage four breast cancer for three years, shifting
Those Who Get It, Get It
Reading Time: < 1 minute Luis, 32, Brain Tumor Luis shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Luis highlights the beauty in feeling seen by the cancer community and those who understand his diagnosis, while
Overcoming the Roadblock
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alexa, 27, Thyroid Cancer Alexa shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. The stand-up comedian, Alexa, shares her cancer story through a comedic lens while remaining honest about the challenges
The Relief of Feeling Seen
Reading Time: < 1 minute Rachel, 31, Hodgkin Lymphoma Rachel shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Rachel reads an impactful letter to Stupid Cancer, reflecting on her cancer journey and how finding the community