Cancer is so high maintenance.

But really, there’s something distinctly high maintenance about cancer. Whether it’s treatment prep, side effect management, navigating survivorship, processing the trauma, tending to your mental health, and all of the other pieces of life that cancer seems to touch, it’s helpful to have trusted resources. People who can say, I’ll walk with you in this. So while my health recommendations completely overlap with cancer care, some of the resources below are oncology specific, and many are AYA (adolescent + young adult) specific.

Cancer: Community

(AYA Focus, but not exclusive to AYAs)

  • Elephants & Tea

    Elephants & Tea is a part of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation, providing a space for AYA voices to be heard. They produce a magazine for and by AYA authors. They also have programming around journaling, connection, and other wellness offerings.

  • Cactus Cancer Society

    Cactus Cancer Society provides programming where AYA’s facing cancer can connect through creativity and expression. They have a variety of programming, accessible online.

  • Dear Jack Foundation

    Started by Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin, Dear Jack Foundation provides programs for AYA’s facing cancer and their families/partners to connect and heal. I personally got to participate in one of their Breathe Now retreats and had a wonderful experience.

  • WeSpark

    WeSpark offers free programming for cancer (not only AYA) experiencers and their loved ones, with everything from specific support groups to various wellness offerings (think tai chi, gentle yoga, and guided imagery). Based in Los Angeles, but have Zoom offerings as well.

  • Teen Cancer America

    TCA focuses on improving adolescent and young adult cancer experiences at the hospital-level to better serve their specific needs. They offer education for healthcare providers and partner with hospitals to help them develop programming tailored to the needs of AYAs.

  • Cancer Support Community

    There are chapters of Cancer Support Communities all over the country, though many offer online programming that is easily accessible. They offer support groups, wellness activities, and access to mental health care and resources.

  • Stupid Cancer

    Stupid Cancer provides programming for AYA’s to end isolation and foster community. Their programming includes CancerCon, meetups, and more. Their website has a list of resources by topic, as well.

  • We Got This

    We Got This. is a gift registry for cancer thrivers and supporters. They make it easy to create and update a gift registry (including donations!) to help you feel more supported during your cancer experience. You can also go on and purchase something for a stranger in need!

  • Living Beauty

    Living Beauty offers wellness retreats for women experiencing cancer to provide hope and skills for coping with their cancer journey.

Cancer: Outdoor Adventures

  • First Descents

    First Descents provides AYA’s the chance to participate in a weeklong outdoor adventure program, including kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, and climbing. Their experiences are all over the United States and also available to people living with MS, healthcare workers, and caregivers.

  • Project Koru

    Project Koru creates opportunities for cancer survivors to connect and find purpose beyond cancer through outdoor camps and community. Fun fact: before I had my diagnosis, I used to do freelance graphic design for them. Small world!

  • True North Treks

    True North Treks provides AYA's the opportunity to try out wilderness adventures through programs they call Treks, and retreat weekends at their house in the UP of Michigan. Participants have historically been able to participate in multiple trips.

  • We Are Ocean

    Newport Aquatic Center / We Are Ocean provides ocean-based, transformational adventures for teens and young adults (15-39) fighting and surviving cancer. They have daylong, overnight, weeklong, and other challenges to get involved.

  • River Discovery

    River Discovery provides adventures for cancer survivors that promote healing and strengthening of the Mind, Body, and Spirit. Some programs include opportunities for caregivers/co-survivors.

  • Send It

    Send It provides AYA cancer patients (21-40) and survivors opportunities to participate in outdoor adventures around Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area.

  • Reel Recovery

    Although not specific for AYAs, it's important for adults to have time to connect in nature. Reel Recovery provides free fly-fishing retreats for men living with all forms of cancer.

  • Epic Experience

    Also for adults, not specifically AYAs, Epic Experience offers wilderness camps and meetups for adult cancer survivors and thrivers.

Cancer: Products + Support

  • My Alula - Chemo Support

    My Alula is a one-stop shop for all things cancer care, with a particular lens on chemo. They have recommended products for helpful wearables to nausea control.

  • Care + Wear

    Care + Wear offers a range of adaptive clothing so you can be comfortable whether you have a port access, PICC line, or some other adaptive need. They also sell scrubs, in case you want to match your beloved nurses.

  • Lists on Lists!

    There are several other sites that have great lists of resources for AYA cancer resources, so I wanted to link to them here: Cactus Cancer Society has a great resources page and Young Adult Cancer Connection also has a great resource list.

    Also Liv & Let has a list specific for breast cancer info.

My trusted oncology doctors + healers.

  • Grace Suh LAc, Dipl OM

    Grace is a truly gifted intuitive healer, and uses acupuncture, energy clearing, and hypnotherapy in her practice. I can’t recommend her enough. I started seeing her post-surgery for recovery and continued well beyond addressing other imbalances and issues. info here

  • Therapist: Thomas J. Pier

    Thomas is a psychotherapist with a specialty in AYA cancer experiences. He uses he depth of experience serving the oncology community to hold space that is knowing, safe, and trauma-informed.

  • Metabolic Approach to Cancer Practitioners

    Spearheaded by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, L.Ac. FABNO, built off of her book with Jess Higgins Kelley, MNT, The Metabolic Approach to Cancer, there is a directory of both Metabolic Approach Trained Doctors and Patient Advocates (coaches to support the lifestyle changes). They can help you take agency over your health, treating the terrain of your body rather than your cancer. 10/10 recommend the book, at minimum.

  • Dr. Rachel West, D.O.

    Dr West, at Longevity LA, is the kind of resource you hate to broadcast too loudly, because she’s so helpful and already quite in-demand. From a functional medicine / holistic lens, she addresses your health woes with both western and eastern approaches. info here

  • Dr. Nalini Chilkov, L.Ac., O.M.D.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine Naturopath with specialty in oncology; available on Zoom info here

  • Remission Nutrition

    This wonderfully skilled team is available online for bio-individual oncology-specialized nutrition support. They are gentle and knowledgeable, and offer ongoing, tangible support. info here

  • Dr. Masha Livhits

    UCLA Endocrine Surgeon. She is highly-skilled, knowledgeable, and has a firm but gentle bedside manner. info here

Looking for support with mindfulness + meditation? There’s a whole page for that!