By Blood Cancer United
Storyectomy is when you match up cancer survivors with creative writers, thinkers, and performance coaches to bring their personal testimonies to the stage; the results are deeply transformative for the storytellers themselves.
Part 3 of the Storyectomy series: Real stories told onstage, in their own words.
Most people don't expect to laugh during a conversation about blood cancer.
Sometimes healing begins with a simple act: telling the truth about what happened, and finding others that are willing to listen, and laugh.
That is what makes storytelling so powerful, and our lived experiences. People affected by blood cancer have stepped onto a stage and share the moments that changed their lives. What emerges is human, honest, and simply funny.
By sharing stories, finding laughter alongside hardship, helping people feel less alone and more connected to themselves and each other.
Meet Adam
Watch Adam introduce himself—in his own words.
Adam loves movies, storytelling, creative writing, and finding inspiration in people who overcome impossible odds. He spent years chasing his Hollywood dreams, believing success would come if he just stayed patient.
Then a routine health concern led to a life-changing diagnosis: leukemia.
What followed tested his patience, resilience, and belief in himself in ways he never expected. Adam discovered that surviving blood cancer requires hope, determination, and the willingness to lean on others when you need support most.
On stage, Adam shares his experience with humor, honesty, and plenty of pop culture references, turning one of the hardest chapters of his life into a story that's both deeply personal and surprisingly funny
Watch the performance
Adam takes the stage to recount a series of events that began with blurry vision and ended with a phone call that changed everything. Through self-deprecating humor, movie references, and stories about growing up with his older brother, he reflects on the fear, uncertainty, and unexpected moments that shaped his leukemia experience. What unfolds is a story about resilience, family, and the people who show up when you need them most.
Note: Behind the jokes and sibling jabs, there's something deeper. Finding a perfect stem cell match between siblings is incredibly fortunate. It can mean fewer complications, a greater chance of success, and the possibility of more tomorrows. For Adam, it meant more opportunities to tease his brother, more movie nights together, and more time to chase his Hollywood dreams.
Adam's story highlights the many forms support can take, from family and friends to healthcare teams, trusted information, and stem cell donors. If any part of his experience feels familiar, these resources can help.
Talk with an expert — Connect with an Information Specialist highly trained oncology social workers and nurses who can help navigate treatment, financial concerns, and everyday challenges.
- Explore support programs — Discover resources and support designed for people living with blood cancer and their loved ones.
- Learn about stem cell transplantation — Find trusted information about the transplant process, donor matching, and recovery in our guide to stem cell transplantation.
- Find transplant-specific support — Access programs, educational resources, and guidance through our blood and marrow transplantation services.
- Read stories of hope — Explore four stories and hear from others who have had similar experiences.
Today, Adam's definition of thriving looks different than it once did. One lesson continues to stay with him: be patient with yourself. Whether facing treatment, recovery, or everyday life, he believes growth often takes longer than we expect, and that's okay.
Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, considering a transplant, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for answers, support is available every step of the way.
Storyectomy is a “story making” mentorship between creative talents and writers with blood cancer survivors, and helps them tell their stories live. It gives everyone, from caregivers to healthcare professionals and supporters, the space to speak their truth, find healing, and discover that what feels isolating is often what connects us most.
We attended a special event where blood cancer survivor storytellers shared their experiences with vulnerability, courage, and sometimes even laughter. Their stories reflect the heart of Blood Cancer United—unity, empowerment, and hope—and are deeply moving.
Six extraordinary people stepped on stage and offered us a glimpse into their lives. Their voices are shared exactly as they were spoken—raw, real, and powerful. In this shared space, storytellers like Georgia, Andrew, Adam, Paul, David and Ilana, transform deeply personal challenges into narratives that illuminate what it means to navigate blood cancer.
Through storytelling, these truths aren’t just told; they’re witnessed, honored, and transformed into something that reminds us why laughter is one of the oldest forms of medicine we have.
Follow our Storyectomy series for stories that span the emotional terrain of returning to school after physical changes (like massive hair loss), preparations for fertility options and treatments, and honoring the complexities of cultural identities. They shed light on the urgent need for research, the heart behind fundraising, and the tenderness of an evolving parent-child relationship and switching roles as caregiver to patient. They speak to the disorientation of being treated in a children's hospital as a young adult, the daily realities of graft versus host disease, and the pressure of appearances and stereotypes of a cancer patient.
Learn about Storyectomy
Coming soon: watch our performers videos
