The best piece of advice I internalized was from well before my diagnosis and it came from Zach Sobiech and Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture”.   Randy Pausch’s advice was “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand”.  That sentence is scribbled in Sharpie on a piece of paper on the fridge, along with “not today, sarcoma”, which I clearly stole from “Game of Thrones”.   That’s also the name of my foundation which will donate 100% of its donations to the Wendy Walk:  Not Today, Sarcoma.

We are honored to have been able to fund a grant in memory of Florentina Prisācaru that will provide financial assistance to sarcoma patients seeking second opinion consultations through our partnership with the Sarcoma Alliance.

The reason I am writing to you about this today- some 30 years after my cancer experience, is that I've met so many other teens/young adults like me who tried their best to be in the holiday spirit. I've compiled a list of my younger self wished she had for those who wanted to help but didn't know how to ask.

During my sarcoma treatment, I had to go out of my way to avoid small children and anyone who looked like they might have a cold at holiday events. Even now that I've completed sarcoma treatment, I have to avoid a long list of vegetables and all dairy products. But along the way I've learned how to get by during the holidays. Here are my tips for cancer patients and survivors on staying healthy during the holidays. Try them, and you might start some fun new traditions at the same time.

Naively I never imagined that one of my children would get cancer. So when my daughter, Annaleigh, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 16, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Simultaneously I went into full action and anxiety mode. It took weeks to wrap my head around this new reality and there was no time to waste in terms of getting her the care and treatment she needed.

My name is Annaleigh Grilo. I am a 17 year old girl who lives in Naples, Florida. I enjoy baking, singing, acting, dancing, scuba diving, playing guitar and piano, working out, and hanging out with my friends. I [also] had Osteosarcoma.

The best piece of advice I received once I was diagnosed was to trust in my own strength and ability and to know that if I ever get tired, I have people around me who will not let me quit the fight.