Cancer in High School Series (Part 2): Supporting a Classmate During Treatment
“Over the years, I’ve answered, ‘What’s the hardest part about having cancer as a teenager?’ in the same way: feeling forgotten.” Treating cancer is a difficult process and should certainly […]
Cancer in High School (Part 1): Overview of the Teen Cancer Experience
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is devastating at any age, but receiving a diagnosis in high school is particularly disruptive and comes with its own challenging obstacles. High school is a […]
A Letter to Parents of a Young Adult Diagnosed with Cancer
Seven years ago today, Kirsten called with news that changed our lives forever. I still have the text exchange on my phone from July 26, 2015. She was away at […]
The Bond of a Cancer Best Friend
The Story of Shauna and Rosalina Cancer best friend: a person that you met on your cancer journey that you share your experience with, and someone you can truly lean […]
Supporting AYA Cancer Patients Impacted by the Overturn of Roe vs. Wade
Effects of Roe v. Wade Overturn on AYA Cancer Patients Here at b-present, we boldly and proudly support our adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community. We are committed to […]
Friendship and Loss: How Being Present, Not Perfect Can Help You Live with No Regrets
Cancer is full of difficult emotions, from diagnosis through treatment and beyond. Here, we discuss the experience of loss and how to maximize the time you have together. The catalyst […]
Everything You Need to Know About the LGBTQIA+ Cancer Community
This June, in honor of Pride Month, we are partnering with Escape, an organization created to provide a sense of Escape for LGBTQIA+ Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients, Survivors, and […]
Supporting Someone with Cancer While Putting your own Mental Health First
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I’ve been loving seeing all of the honest conversations about mental health happening all around the internet this month! I’ve seen so many […]
Sympathy vs. Empathy vs. Compassion: Cancer Support and Where Each Fits
Sympathy, empathy and compassion are likely all words you’ve heard used a lot within the cancer space. They might even be used interchangeably! But the truth is, they’re all different, […]
Ring Theory: The Ins & Outs of Sharing Feelings
When your friend gets diagnosed with cancer, it can be hard to know what to say. We all know that cancer affects everyone around the patient, not just the patient. […]
Valentine’s Day and Cancer
Celebrating any holiday with cancer can be an emotional experience for so many reasons, from unexpected hiccups in treatment to grief over your old life to survivorship challenges. But that […]
The Blood Crisis: What Every Young Adult Should Know
When you Google how to support a friend through cancer, you will find lots of ideas, from running errands to keeping them company through chemo to delivering meals to them. […]
Cancer Supporter New Year’s Resolution
I’ll be honest – I was never much of a New Year’s resolution kind of person before cancer. I always felt like I was just setting myself up for failure […]
Cancer and the Holidays: 5 Tips That Will Improve Everyone’s Experience
The holidays are typically seen as a time to celebrate, be with family and friends, exchange gifts, and honor religious or other cherished traditions. When a cancer diagnosis enters the […]
Support Through Thyroid Cancer: There is No “Good Cancer”
Feelings upon Diagnosis It was April 4, 2019. It had been ten days since my total thyroidectomy, and I was getting ready to pick my son up from preschool. A […]
Staying Connected Even When COVID and Cancer Keep You Apart
COVID and Cancer—The Challenges When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, it’s usually a time when everyone you’ve ever spoken to comes out of the woodwork to support you. MealTrains are […]
Cancer Humor: Coping Through Laughter
I’ll never forget the first time I told a cancer joke around people who haven’t experienced cancer firsthand. I was chatting with friends about the COVID vaccines in late 2020, […]
To the Kind-Hearted Supporter
If you are supporting your friend or family member who has been diagnosed with cancer or another chronic illness, you know that role comes with many challenges. It’s hard to […]
Examples of What to Say When Someone Has Cancer
In cancer conversations, comments intended to express empathy or comfort can backfire when they are dismissive of the person’s situation, choices, decisions, or emotions. We designed our Talking Tips to […]
How To Stay Connected To Friends From Afar
Friendships are one of the most important aspects of our lives, and staying connected when isolated is essential for our mental health. Whether you have a friend that is stuck […]