Finding a New Voice
Reading Time: 5 minutesBy the age of 37, I felt I had accomplished so much. I lived a very busy, happy, and successful life full of significant and joyful moments in my personal
Tag: Empowerment
The Panda Fight
Reading Time: 3 minutesMy name is Amanda. People call me Panda. I’ve been an athlete my whole entire life. I did a lot of sports, but my love is track and field. I
24 Year Olds Don’t Get Cancer, Right?
Reading Time: 2 minutesI think everyone remembers where they were when they were first told they have cancer. I was sitting in the back of the 66 Bus in Chicago on my way
On the surface, I look fine.
Reading Time: 4 minutesSomeone once implied that my life was easy and smooth—I had no “real” problems. When I first heard this, I was offended, yet understood the sentiment. In comparison to them,
Hospital Hospitality Rant
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe hospital is a weird place. Think of how many people touch you. Someone greets you, signs you in, takes down your information. The nurse asks your name, birthdate, weighs
When College is Put On Pause
Reading Time: < 1 minuteAs a busy summer was coming to a close, I began experiencing a dry cough, arm swelling, shortness of breath, and a lump under my armpit. These symptoms led me
Cancer and Advocacy in Public Health: Your Story Matters
Reading Time: 4 minutesMy work in public health and disparities causes me to approach issues of health equity, cancer-health disparities, and other unconscious racial bias issues with personal experiences. I try to relate
Leukemia? Isn’t that what kids get???
Reading Time: 2 minutesI was diagnosed with AML on Friday the 13th in March 2015. Oh yeah, I’m totally superstitious now! I went into remission one year later. Once I was cleared to
Surviving a “Bomb” Drop
Reading Time: 3 minutesIt’s a Sunday in January 2020. I am sitting in the hospital emergency room awaiting the results of an ultrasound for month-long sore groin pain. The ER doctor explains to
Open Mic: Aspen
Reading Time: < 1 minute VIDEO: Aspen shares what survivorship means to her and how she won’t stop talking about cancer in the hope to support other cancer patients.