The Elephant in the Room is Cancer. Tea is the Relief Conversation Provides.

January, 18th 2025: Join us for food, drinks, dancing, and author sharing — all to support our mission. Learn more here!

AYA Cancer

Dear Cancer, I Still Hate You

by Riley Ferris May 11, 2026

It has been a while since the last time I talked directly to you. After some time needed away after the procedure was done to rip you back out of my life at the same speed it took you to take it over, I am finally ready to address the elephant in the room.

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Beyond Your Grip

by Kayla DeSonier

You showed up like a thief, but worse, a thief takes what they want and leaves. You moved in, uninvited, rewriting my story in ink I never chose.

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A Simple Twist of Fate

by Kelly Curtin-Hallinan

I’ve always despised the trope of the patient who pulls through against all odds, despite all evidence to the contrary. Yes, diagnoses can shift and treatment plans evolve, but the ultimate trajectory rarely strays far from the original suspicion.

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The Give and Take of Cancer

by Vikki Ramdass May 4, 2026

People often ask, “are you okay now?” But how should I really answer that question? I am so scared all the time, I can’t even think straight. I wish life was simple but it’s not. It’s complicated, hard, and crazy at times but I try to make the most out of it.

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9th Life

by Riese

2 years 4 walls and it’s all that I know, Never thought, I’d find myself here living back home, Feels like I’m losing myself hearing get well soons

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Dear Cancer, You’re the Queen of Giving and Taking Away

by Amanda Tucker

You’re the queen of giving and taking away. I look back now at how much I thought my life was ruined the day I opened a mychart notification with the word carcinoma in it.

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Lifelines Through a Keyboard

by Beth Gainer April 27, 2026

Shock permeated my breast cancer diagnosis. I was too young and healthy for this disease, or so I thought. I was fooled by the longevity that ran in my family. Now chemotherapy ran through my veins, and radiation also took its toll on my body.

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the timeless passages of my mind and soul

by Inaaya Shariq

Every now and then I think about shaving my head again and
how maybe if I shave my head again,
flowers will start to grow out of my eyes, blinding me with the beauty

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The Life You Save May Be Your Own

by Kelly Curtin-Hallinan April 20, 2026

In elementary school, my teachers always told us it was important to understand math because “you won’t always have a calculator in your pocket.” That sentiment hasn’t aged well, given that my iPhone and Alexa are always within reach.

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Becoming More Than Okay

by Dillon Groover

“No one will ever understand.” “Just pretend to fit in.” “Why can’t I just be normal?” And more hyperbolic, rhetorical questions to harass myself with over the years.

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