The Fight Never Ends
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy : Samantha Gonzales-Russell, 37, Gynecological Cancer Trigger warning: This submission includes descriptions of medical trauma. Please take care of you. “You’ll just have a tube sticking out of your
Tag: Empowerment
Blood Boogers
Reading Time: 4 minutesBy Lyndsey McCafferty, 32, Caregiver Once upon a time, my life felt like it was finally settling into place. Five months before my husband Wes was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma,
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
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
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,
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
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
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
Healing Through Music
Reading Time: < 1 minute Kristen, 36, Ovarian Cancer Kristen shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. The talented musician, Kristen, expresses herself through an inspiring musical performance, displaying the
Finding the New Me
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ranjit, 35, Osteosarcoma Ranjit shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. After being in remission for 20 years, Ranjit shares his powerful story of redefining