What I Need You To Know

Stories, Truths, and Lessons from Cancer Patients and Caregivers

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What Do You Want the Next Person to Know?

Every person touched by cancer learns something that might help someone else.

It might be a question you wish you had asked. A difficult truth no one prepared you for. A lesson about treatment, caregiving, communication, faith, fear, grief, survival, or learning to speak up.

It might be the story of the person who showed up when you needed them most.
It might be something funny that happened during a terrible time.
It might be one sentence you needed to hear but no one knew to say.

Islands Against Cancer is collecting these experiences for What I Need You to Know, a book written through the voices of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones.

You do not need to be a professional writer.
You do not need perfect spelling or grammar.
You do not need to know how to begin.

You simply need something you want another person to know.

Who May Submit?

We welcome submissions from:

  • People currently receiving cancer treatment
  • Cancer survivors
  • People living with an advanced or terminal diagnosis
  • Family caregivers
  • Friends who have served as caregivers
  • Loved ones honoring someone who died from cancer
  • Parents caring for a child with cancer
  • Adult children caring for a parent
  • Medical professionals sharing a personal experience as a patient or caregiver

What Should I Write About?

Write as though one patient or caregiver is sitting across from you. What would you tell them?

Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

  • What you wish someone had told you at the beginning
  • A question that changed your care
  • A time you knew something was wrong and kept asking for answers
  • Something people misunderstand about cancer
  • The part of treatment no one sees
  • A lesson about keeping medical information organized
  • What you want another patient or caregiver to remember
  • Advice for communicating with doctors
  • Advice for making treatment decisions
  • Something a caregiver did that mattered
  • What caregivers need but rarely ask for
  • A mistake or misunderstanding another family might avoid
  • What helped you manage fear, pain, anger, or uncertainty
  • How cancer affected your family or relationships
  • How faith or personal beliefs supported you
  • Something that brought laughter into a difficult moment
  • What survivorship truly feels like
  • What grief taught you
  • A tribute to someone you love
  • A message for medical professionals
  • A practical tip that made daily life easier

There is no required tone. 
Your story does not have to be cheerful or inspirational. It should be honest and meaningful to you.

How Do I Submit My Story?

Choose the method that feels easiest for you.

Write It

Send a complete story, several paragraphs, scattered notes, or answers to our writing prompts.

Say It

Record a voice memo on your phone and tell the story in your own words.

Tell It

Request a guided conversation with Islands Against Cancer. We will ask thoughtful questions and help document your story.

You do the sharing. We will help with the writing.

Submit Your Story Now

How Long & What Happens Next?

How Long Should My Submission Be?

There is no strict length requirement.

Most completed passages will fall between 500 and 1,500 words. A shorter entry may hold as much meaning as a longer story.

Do not add words simply to make the submission longer.

Say what matters.

What Happens After I Submit?

  1. Our team reviews your submission.
  2. We organize and polish the writing for spelling, grammar, clarity, and flow.
  3. We protect your meaning, personality, and natural voice.
  4. We send the edited passage back to you.
  5. You review it and request any changes.
  6. You approve the final version before it enters the book.

Nothing will be published until you say:

“Yes, this is my story.”

Our Editorial Promise

We will polish your words, but we will never take ownership of your voice.

We will not intentionally change what happened, exaggerate your experience, or turn your story into something it was never meant to be.

If anything feels wrong, you tell us. We will revise it.

You Control How Your Story Appears

You Decide.

How Would You Like to be Identified?

  • Full name
  • First name only
  • Initials
  • A different publication name
  • Anonymous

You Also Can Decide to Include:

  • A photograph
  • Your cancer type
  • Your role as a patient, survivor, caregiver, or loved one
  • A dedication
  • A favorite quote, prayer, or scripture
  • One handwritten sentence
  • The name of the person you wish to honor

Please do not include another person’s private medical details, full name, photograph, or identifying information without their permission.

Writing Prompts

You do not need to answer every question. Choose the ones that bring your story forward.

  • What do you wish someone had told you when cancer entered your life?
  • What was the hardest part that other people did not see?
  • What helped you feel less afraid or less alone?
  • What question made a difference in your care?
  • What did you learn about speaking up for yourself?
  • What do you wish caregivers understood?
  • What do you wish patients understood about caregivers?
  • What do you wish doctors and medical staff understood?
  • Was there a delay, mistake, or misunderstanding others might learn from?
  • What practical advice would you give another family?
  • What brought you comfort?
  • What made you laugh?
  • How did cancer change your relationships?
  • What did cancer teach you about yourself?
  • What do people misunderstand about life after treatment?
  • If you lost someone, what do you want readers to know about that person?
  • If your story helps one person, what do you hope it helps them do?

Finish this sentence:
“What I need you to know is…”

Before You Submit

Please remember:

  • Share only what you feel comfortable publishing.
  • Remove private information such as addresses, account numbers, medical record numbers, and dates of birth.
  • Obtain permission before identifying another patient or sharing their medical information
  • Speak from your own experience.
  • Do not present personal treatment experiences as medical instructions for others.
  • Keep a copy of your original submission.
  • Tell us if any part of your story must remain private.

Our Mission & Publication

Part of a Bigger Mission

What I Need You to Know will be published by Islands Against Cancer, Inc. Proceeds from book sales will support our programs for cancer patients and caregivers.

Islands Against Cancer will also donate copies to cancer patients and caregivers so the experiences inside the book reach people who need them.

Contributors will not receive payment or royalties. Their contribution becomes part of a mission-driven book created to educate, support, honor, and encourage others.

About Publication

Every submission will receive thoughtful consideration. Submission does not guarantee publication.

Space, duplication of topics, privacy concerns, unfinished permissions, or editorial needs might affect which entries appear in the first edition.

If we wish to include your story, you will receive the edited passage and contributor agreement for review.

We will never publish your submission without your final approval and written permission.

Your Story Matters

You survived something. You cared for someone.
You learned something the hard way. You witnessed something another person needs to understand.

Your experience might help someone ask a better question, prepare for a difficult day, feel less alone, or find the courage to speak up.

Do not worry about writing it perfectly.
Tell the truth.

Tell us what you need the next person to know.

Submit Your Story

Take your time. You can save your progress and return later.

Need help submitting your story? Contact support@islandsagainstcancer.com