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Life Stories

You are not alone in your cancer journey. Hear from others who have traveled a similar path.

  • Rock Climbing Helps Teen Thrive After Limb-Sparing Surgery

    After having limb-sparing surgery, Micah Winkle had to give up contact sports. After a year of recovery and trying new activities, Micah became a champion rock climber. 

  • Dealing with Relapse

    When Evan’s cancer relapsed, it was hard news to hear. But he responded with the most powerful defense he could think of – a positive attitude.

  • Cancer Is a Scary Word

    I was always a very social girl. You could find me hanging out with my friends, going to football games, or shopping. When I was diagnosed at the age of 16 with papillary thyroid cancer, I was nervous to tell my friends. How would they react? Would my relationships change?

  • "My Setback is a Better Comeback"

    Jakayla shares her story about surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia twice. Learn how her love of music and faith gave her strength.

  • Take Charge of Your Life

    MJ had a brain tumor called pineoblastoma during his preteen years. Now he is cancer-free and headed to college.

  • My Journey Fighting Leukemia

    On December 13, 2016, I was diagnosed with leukemia. That was the day my journey began. A journey full of helplessness, fight, hope, anger, depression, anxiety, weakness, nausea, and many more emotions.

  • My Cancer Journey Helped Groom Me into the Young Adult I Am Today

    Javon shares his story of surviving 2 bouts of cancer. Learn how the support of family, friends, and his care team helped him through his cancer journey.

  • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

    Fear speaks first and fear speaks loudest—but that does not mean it is a voice of reason, nor is it a voice of truth.

  • The Girl with Cancer in her... You’re Joking, Right?

    Ever hear the one about a 15-year-old girl diagnosed with cancer in her butt? Unbelievable, right? Cancer in your butt.

Tell Your  Story: Write about your own experiences living with cancer.

Sharing your story as a cancer patient might improve your well-being. The Chronicling Cancer (ChronCan) study at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found writing to be a helpful exercise and a meaningful experience for adolescents and young adult patients with cancer. Because of these findings, the Together by St. Jude™ online resource is partnering with ChronCan researchers to share writing resources to help patients write and share their stories. Explore the resources below and read stories from patients enrolled in the study. 

Interested in sharing your story? Send what you wrote to together@stjude.org. We’d love to work with you to find ways to help share it.