Fall Books to Curl Up With

We love books here at Cactus Cancer Society. We ran a traditional “read and let’s discuss” Book Club for many years before it morphed into our current Creative Arts Book Club. There’s something about fall that suggests we grab a warm beverage, a book, and maybe even a blanket. If you’re feeling the same inclination, and in honor of our Miniature Book Club Art Workshop next month, here are some suggested reads to add to your To Be Read (aka your TBR) pile or your next library stop!

Previous Cactus Cancer Society Book Club Picks
You can check out the insights and dialogue from our community by clicking on the Book Club link or by searching the title on our Young Adult Voices Blog!

Planet Cancer by Heidi Schultz Adams & Christopher Schultz
Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s by Kairol Rosenthal
Rising Strong by Brene Brown
I’m Just A Person by Tig Notaro
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Mom’s Marijuana by Dan Shapiro
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler
Brave Enough by Kati Gardner
Finding Balance by Kati Gardner
The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
The Martian by Andy Weir
The House In The Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Cactus Cancer Society Team Favorites
We asked our team for their favorite fall reads, which we loosely interpreted as anything that falls under the category of cozy, academia-focused, or spooky. We also asked for a favorite cancer read, which could be anything from our Cactus Cancer Society book club list or something else entirely. Trust us – the takes got hot and the conversation was lively!

Mallory
Favorite Fall Read: Einstein’s Dreams by Alan Lightman
Favorite Cancer Read: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Aerial
Favorite Fall Read: Failure is Not an Option by Gene Kranz
Favorite Cancer Read: It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) by Nora McInerny Purmort
Lauren C.
Favorite Fall Read: The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Favorite Cancer Read: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Lauren M.
Favorite Fall Read: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Favorite Cancer Read: Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad
Christina
Favorite Fall Read: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Favorite Cancer Read: Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Stephen:
Favorite Fall Read: On Writing by Stephen King
Favorite Cancer Read: Mom’s Marijuana by Dan Shapiro

Happy reading!

Introducing: Lauren Morales!

We’re so excited to introduce our newest team member, Lauren Morales, LCSW! She is our Senior Program Coordinator, meaning you’ll be seeing her in tons of programs over the next few months, although you may have already met her as a community member. Read on to learn more about what brought Lauren to the Cactus Cancer Society Team. We know you’ll be joining her fan club, just like we have!

Hi community!

I’m so excited to be joining the Cactus Cancer team and to be a part of the mission to provide a safe space for YA’s navigating cancer. I know firsthand the importance of connecting with others during cancer because I’ve lived it!

At the age of 30, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and full-throttled into the world of oncology. At the time, I was living in North Carolina, having just moved there a few months prior due to my husband’s military orders. My husband is an active duty Marine and was deployed in another country when I was diagnosed. I struggled to navigate my diagnosis, not only because it was cancer, but I felt really alone in a new place with no local support.

Enter the AYA online community! I stumbled into the AYA space from Instagram and started to attend online programs once my treatment had begun. Finding other people who were my age learning to deal with cancer meant the world to me and reduced my isolation by tenfold, even once my husband was able to return home. In the online AYA space, I didn’t just find community, I made lifelong friends and started to rebuild hope in the process.

Once I reached NED, I felt called to take my experience into my professional work. I decided to further pivot my work in clinical social work to the oncology and chronic illness spaces. My background in social work, trauma therapy, and medical systems navigation has helped me to better articulate how important advocacy, creative coping, and safe community spaces are in creating fertile ground for healing, resilience, and empowerment. I am so excited to bring both my lived experience and my professional background into this role to help empower all of you in your healing journey, however that may look!

When I am not working, you can find me cuddled up with my two dogs, Rocky and Luna, who are the absolute apples of my eye. I love a good fantasy book, have some strong opinions on coffee consumption, and am a West Coast girlie at heart. I wouldn’t call myself an artist, but I love to be creative and have so much fun doing anything with acrylics or DIY holiday decor. I also really enjoy writing, specifically poetry, and all things Mexican food and sushi.

I can’t wait to jump in with all of you and want to thank you in advance for the honor of holding space with you while you navigate life with cancer, as a caregiver, or as a provider in oncology.

With gratitude, 

Lauren Morales, LCSW

Calling All Guys: Ready, Set, Build!

Some of our most popular programs here at Cactus Cancer Society are our Builders Workshops. They’re a space where builders can get together to construct LEGO kits: with our signature community vibes, conversation where anything goes, and everything you need sent to your door. We’ve got another one coming up, and this one is just for guys!

This build puts YOU in the driver’s seat. Your program, your conversation, your way!

If you are a guy ages 18-45 and like LEGOs, we want YOU to join us for a special two-week build on Tuesday, September 9th and Tuesday, September 16th. From 4:30-6:30pm PT / 5:30-7:30 CT / 7:30-9:30pm ET, you’ll grab your kit and assemble LEGO Set #40819 – a racing driver minifigure. By the time you cross the finish line with the checkered flag waiting, you’ll have an awesome build to proudly display.

All the details are below, but don’t wait – spots are limited!

WHO: Young adult guys facing cancer (that’s you, champ!)

WHAT: Guys Only Builder’s Workshop – LEGO Set #40819, good convo, and chill vibes

WHEN: Tuesdays, September 9th & 16th; 4:30–6:30pm PT / 6:30–8:30pm CT / 7:30–9:30pm ET

WHERE: Online via Zoom – we’ll send you the link and the LEGOs!

Sound good? Learn more and sign up here!

Coffee and Oodles: NEW Time and NEW Location!

We’re in the final stretch of our program break here at Cactus Cancer Society. We’ve been polishing up our plans for the next fiscal year, and we have a few exciting changes to share with you.

Drop-in program favorite, Coffee and Oodles, is back beginning in August – but change your calendars! Our *NEW* time for this program is 11am PT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET.

But that’s not all! We’re also pivoting to Zoom as our host for our creativity.

Here’s what’s not changing: you’ll be getting the same interesting and intriguing prompt, time to create a doodle or written piece, and ample time to share with others and offer positive feedback on their own work.

Want to find out more information and sign up for the Zoom link? Head here!

30 Minute Tune Up Is Back!

Some things have inevitably boomeranged back: 90s trends, 80s pop sounds.

But one exciting return is one you may not have anticipated: 30 Minute Tune Up with Jean Rowe is back!

Join us on Thursdays beginning August 14 at 9am PT / 11am CT / 12pm ET to recapture the magic of our Fairy Godmother and National Treasure’s warmth, practical advice, and the cozy drop-in of community. If you’re new to this program, you’re in for a treat! You’ll start with a prompt from Jean, who is also a Certified Journal Therapist. You will have a set amount of time to journal your response. Then, once the time is up, you will have the opportunity to share your work with the group. Jean is known for her practical, loving advice that guides us towards better self-care – and we guarantee the community will leave you feeling whole, energized, and supported.

Want to make sure you don’t miss any of the excitement? Head here for more information and to sign up to get the link!

Let Your Voice Be Heard: Apply for the Rooted Voices Advisory Board!

Are you a young adult cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver who loves Cactus Cancer Society programs? Do you want to shape the future of the organization by nominating Young Adult Advocates of the Year (YAAY) candidates, share feedback with Cactus Cancer Society leadership, and stay engaged in our amazing community? We’ve got an opportunity for you: apply to join our Rooted Voices Advisory Board!

If you:

✔ Are between the ages of 18 and 45

✔ Were diagnosed with young adult cancer or are a caregiver/co-survivor for a young adult with cancer

✔ Have attended a Cactus Cancer Society program in the last 12 months (not including YA Cancer Gabfest)

YOU are eligible to apply!

Here’s how to submit your application:

  1. Click here to learn more about the time commitment, the meeting structure, and more.
  2. Ready to apply? Submit your application for our brand new Rooted Voices Advisory Board here!
  3. If you have any questions about the board, please email hello@cactuscancer.org.

Don’t delay! The deadline to apply is July 29th.

We can’t wait to read your applications!

Let’s be Besties: Own a Cactus Cancer Society Bracelet!

Cactus Cancer Society is thrilled to be selected as a beneficiary for the Little Words Project’s Big Impact Initiative. Introducing: the resilient bracelet!

Little Words Project creates bracelets with words to inspire the person wearing them. On our bracelet design, the word is “resilient,” surrounded by colorful and bright beads, celebrating your resilience and that of our prickly and colorful community. Think of them as a grown-up friendship bracelet, one that will last beyond summer concert tours and trading. And the best part? This bracelet gives back! With every purchase, 25% of the net profits will be donated back to Cactus Cancer Society.

Here’s how YOU can give back and be a super-esteemed gift giver!

1. Stock up now for holiday gifts. Let’s get real: we are all really jealous of folks when they are done with their holiday shopping by November. Now, you can be one of them!

2. Grab one for you and one for the most resilient person you know. For an extra meaningful kick, write a note inside a card sharing what you admire about them. Cue award for Most Thoughtful Friend Of All Time.

3. Buy a few to have on hand for yourself and your cancer besties. For their next Re-Birthday or Cancerversary, you can give them an amazing gift that also gives back. Plus, you’ll be able to match us IRL at CancerCon 2025 in Washington, D.C.!* Making the rounds at all the young adult cancer events this summer? A little elephant told us they’re perfect for making a splash at Young Adult Cancer Camp!

4. Have kiddos in your life? Give them one, explaining what resilience is and how they can overcome their challenges. Plus, since the bracelets come in four sizes, you can get one to fit around a smaller wrist – and they come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, meaning your bracelet is built to withstand all of the adventures a kid can have.

5. Grab one for your favorite teacher! Want to make a great impression on an educator you love when you get back to school? Gift them a bracelet as a reminder for them and the students they serve.

Want the summary? You buy a bracelet, Cactus Cancer Society receives a whopping 25% of the net profits, and you look like the benevolent, supreme gift-giver you’ve always wanted to be.

Don’t delay – get your bracelet ASAP!

* Mark your CancerCon calendar for our session, From Story to Strength: Creative Ways to Advocate! Friday, August 22, from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET. Can’t wait to see you there!

In Case You Missed It: Our July Program Break is Here!

We’re just dropping in to let you know that Cactus Cancer Society is taking our annual program break over the month of July.

What exactly do we plan on doing this month? Trust us, it’s not a vacation…  Instead of sunning ourselves in front of a pool or catching flights to exciting locales, it’ll be business as usual over here. July is when we strategically plan, write grant proposals, map out programs, read program evaluations, and make sure we’re doing everything we can to encourage resilience and creativity in the young adult cancer community!

We’ve got some pretty amazing things in the works, and we’re SO excited about this Fall’s programs. Trust us: you won’t want to miss it! (Pro tip: be sure you’re signed up for our email list here so you don’t miss anything.)

In the meantime, do you have a program suggestion? Something you think would be an excellent addition to our Art Workshop and Drop-in Writing Program line-up? Send us a note at Programs@CactusCancer.Org.

See you soon, prickly pals!

Happy, Prickly Pride!

June is officially here, and that means that at Cactus Cancer Society, we are celebrating Pride Month in all of your (and our) favorite ways!

But first, we want to remind you that at Cactus Cancer Society, one of our core values is celebrating our inclusive community. Since we were established as a non-profit ten years ago, YOU have remained at the heart of what we do and why we do it. Our virtual community is comprised of young adults from all corners of the world, and we not only welcome you regardless of race, religion, gender, gender expression, ancestry, disability, marital status, and sexual orientation: we celebrate you. Our community is prickly, resilient, and fabulous!

What can you expect around here that’s different during Pride?

  • We have our annual Pride Art Workshop for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. This year, we’ll be making vibrant, colorful decoupage animals… and program participants might find a few fun additions to their supply package. (Space is limited – sign up today!)
  • This month, the prompts in our drop-in Coffee and Oodles program will also be Pride-themed. Each week’s prompt will celebrate the revolutionary contributions of LGBTQIA+ folx and reflect on the themes of inclusivity, breaking boundaries, and authenticity.
  • You’ll also see some of our Pride designs in our Threadless shop: be sure to grab your limited edition merch now!

While official Pride celebrations may only last the month of June, know that we are here for you all year-round. To find out the latest on our programs and events, visit our website or sign-up for our email list here!

Happy Pride, Prickly fam! We love you.

Fresh Ink: Fifteen Minutes

We are proud to share the work of our Cactus Cancer Society community writers here on our blog, including this piece, which is part of a series entitled Fresh Ink.

We value the voices of our community members and would love to share your words. If you would like to contribute to our blog here at Cactus Cancer Society, please email christina@cactuscancer.org. 


“Fifteen Minutes,” by Anjali Kapoor-Davis

Soak for fifteen minutes in Epsom salt
to heal the sore. How could anything heal
in fifteen minutes? Fifteen minutes is

an eternity to soak in a tub of warm water
with no suds to conceal the flesh. Eyes
struggle to find a place that the mind does not

criticize. Unshaven legs bob up and down
slowly remembering the motion of a swim
stroke. There is not enough room here for laps.

Adjusting each cheek to ensure a seal does
not occur in the fiberglass cubicle. Mango
shaped breasts lay lazily on the curves of

the waist. The firmness has given way
to squish. Will fifteen minutes be enough
time to forgive myself? Self-loathing comes

easier to me. Is it long enough to heal the soul?
Fifteen minutes is not enough time for a doctors
appointment when the diagnosis is cancer.

Calendars fill with doctors’ appointments
instead of lunches with friends, kids play dates,
and vacations. In fifteen minutes, life changes.

Fifteen minutes, he made me wait again in the
hot car. I should be happy that he is making friends
and not clinging to my side but I miss those days

when it was just us. His childhood seems to have
flown by in fifteen minutes. I would love fifteen more
minutes to play on swings, cuddle on the couch,

or make mud pies in the yard once again. I start
the music on my phone nestled in a basket of rolled
up washcloths ready for scrubbing. I need a

distraction for these fifteen minutes,
I can’t bring myself to just exist.
I am more than I can handle for fifteen minutes.

Anjali Kapoor-Davis is a playwright, poet, and flash fiction writer. She writes about the challenges she has faced as a thyroid cancer patient and the simple joys of life. Anjali loves spending time with her family, baking, and advocating for thyroid cancer patients.