Stupid Cancer
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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
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 beauty in using art to
The Joy in Reconnecting
Reading Time: < 1 minute Perry, 25, Brain Tumor, Bone Cancer, Sarcoma Perry shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. The resilient cancer survivor, Perry, shares her journey of living with multiple cancers while navigating
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 his identity and finding his
Reflecting on Paper
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lexi, 31, Breast Cancer Lexi shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. As a stage four metastatic breast cancer survivor, Army Reserves member, and researcher, Lexi embodies true inner strength
Strength in Community
Reading Time: < 1 minute Lucas, 26, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Lucas shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Lucas thoughtfully reflects on the importance of community and resilience through a deeply powerful story of reconnecting with
Therapy Thursday
Reading Time: < 1 minute Shannon, 27, Rectal Cancer Shannon shared their story at CancerCon 2026’s Storytelling Open Mic in Seattle. Shannon, a survivor of stage four rectal cancer, shares an emotional tribute to her therapist of almost a
Becoming After Cancer
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Amanda Brunson, 37, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) I’m a two-time leukemia survivor and a bone marrow transplant recipient. I was diagnosed at 21, and then again at 25. Cancer didn’t just enter my life
Para Ganged Up On Me Oma! (Paraganglioma)
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Julianne Melvin, 38, Paraganglioma I woke up in a hospital room, the air thick with the smell of antiseptic and the rhythmic, mechanical hum of monitors. I tried to speak, but only raspy, barely
My journey, My Gratitude. Team Coco!
Reading Time: 4 minutesBy: Courtney Malcic, 38, Kidney Cancer Picture this: I’m 23, pescatarian, loving life in Arizona, hiking, poolside, working my dream job at MAC cosmetics in hopes to be a global senior makeup artist. On November
Surviving Cancer While Autistic
Reading Time: 2 minutesBy: Asa Rosema, 32, Breast Cancer I was disabled before cancer. I am autistic. I was late to walk, late to talk, and I struggled in a world that was not made for me. It
My Ewing Sarcoma Journey
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Robert “Bear” Bloomquist, 23, Ewing Sarcoma On December 19th this year, my life changed in a way I never saw coming. That was the day I was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and
Time Changes Everything
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy: Suesan Cota, 42 In December 2022, my husband (then boyfriend), Dil and I were told that after his intensive chemotherapy to treat his aggressive Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), the chances of us having children