Just over four years ago, I sat for my first chemo infusion.

I couldn’t have company because of Covid restrictions, so I passed the time sketching.

Staring at this innocuous little tube that delivered the ultimate oxymoron - healing poison.

Cancer is a surreal experience.

#oncsky #cansky

Here my cuddle-buddy, Juniper! She loves long walks on the beach and giving kisses

Dr. Lam points to an Australian innovation to address lack of screening in rural areas - a semi truck and trailer turned into a mobile CT scanner, capable of handling the rugged outback.

(Riding shiny and chrome on Fury Road for lung cancer equity!)

Science panel starting. Dr. Stephen Lam giving an overview of how research contributes to better patient outcomes. Increasing proportion of lung cancer in never-smokers necessitates better data. Air pollution has emerged as the 2nd leading cause after tobacco use.

Dr. Hao, a radiation oncologist and social worker Lisa round out the panel.

First question asks participants to go behind the "veil of ignorance" and choose one word to guide a fair and equitable cancer care system.

Health Equity Panel moderated by Dr. Ambreen Sayani. How do social and structural determinants influence outcomes? Dr. Horn speaks on challenges (and joys) of providing care in a multi-jurisdictional setting; Vinesha on repeatedly falling through the cracks during her AYA cancer treatment.

First panel at the #LungSummitCanada features patient stories. Each journey has similarities but unique in their own ways: fear and uncertainty, hope and connection, stigma and advocacy.

It was physically and emotionally exhausting for all of us. But seeing people respond to our stories and hearing how the experience impacted them was truly worthwhile. We left tired but hopeful about the future of AYA cancer care in BC.

#BCCancer #RRU

Over 3 days, we put on a dozen performances. Nearly 120 attended. Researchers, health care providers, administrators, family and friends. We called it "Imagine" - both a description and a call to action for people involved in AYA cancer care.

At this year's BC Cancer Summit, a group of young adults with lived cancer experience were given space to present an immersive perform about the AYA cancer.

We did it all - script, props, set design and building.

#ayacsm

Just had the first performance of our immersive AYA experience at the #BCCancerSummit so grateful to the organizers for giving us space and the participants for signing up! Only 12 more to go...

#ayacsm #lcsm #oncsky

Here's the event description. It doesn't capture all the sweat, laughter and tears that are going into this. Our group coined the term "nerve-cited to describe the feelings of hope and anxiety that goes into creating something like this!