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Dear Cancer
Each year we ask the AYA cancer community to submit letters to cancer to express their feelings about how cancer has changed their lives. People explore an array of emotions in these letters, including anger, sadness, gratitude, and hope.
Want to submit an article or write your own letter to cancer? Click Here.
Dear Cancer, I’ll Keep Winning
You have taken away so many lives,
You even tried to take mine.
You have caused so many cries,
But God gave me a sign.
Dear Cancer, I Wish You the Worst
I’ve moved numerous times and think I’ve finally found a quiet place away from you. You’ve stalked me through so many cities, I’m surprised you haven’t found me here yet.
Read More...Dear Cancer, This is My Battle Cry
I learned your lessons and will share them with others before you enter their lives so they will not make your acquaintance. You are longer taking the lead in this match. It’s my turn; it’s humanity’s turn to strike back.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I’ll Hold On
There must be something the universe has in store for me, something I can still do, something I can still contribute, something I can still feel.
Read More...Dear Cancer, You Defined What I Was Made Of
For weeks I did not want to accept you, acknowledge you or in all reality believe you had taken space in my life. But that wasn’t working. The more I pushed you away, cancer, the worse I got.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I Am Looking to the Future
Leave all of us alone. I beg you to leave all my amazing Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer friends alone. Go away forever and never come back.
Read More...Dear Cancer, You Couldn’t Break Me
Never in a million years did I think I would be writing to you at only 23 years old. You are some people’s worst fear but you weren’t mine. I never even thought to put you on my list.
Read More...Dear Cancer, You Left Shattered Pieces of Glass
When you finally left, I was lost. Of course, I never wanted you to come back, but I also didn’t know how to live without you anymore. How to pick up the shattered pieces of glass you left behind.
Read More...Dear Cancer, Boys Do Need to Cry
Now that I have given myself permission to cry it is easier than not crying. Giving myself permission became extremely important after my surgery and during my radiation treatment.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I Want to Feel Whole Again
When I had to get biopsies on my chest to determine if you were there, it was the hardest thing so far, and it broke my self-esteem and my ability to look at my body with confidence anymore. I have the scars on both of my breasts now, and every time I look at them I’m reminded of how you can hurt me.
Read More...