Daniel Jernazian is aware of what it means to face life after most cancers. Identified with Hodgkin’s lymphoma as an adolescent and later with thyroid most cancers, he says staying targeted on small wins helped him keep optimistic by way of even the toughest days. For younger folks particularly, he stresses the significance of maintaining sight of private objectives and discovering power in how far they’ve already come.
Reflecting on his personal expertise, he encourages others to embrace something that brings objective, whether or not it’s future plans, previous accomplishments, or assist from family members.
He additionally factors to religion and religious connection as highly effective however usually neglected sources of resilience. “It doesn’t matter what faith; simply having that greater connection provides you a quiet power,” he says. “You’ve obtained to convey collectively every little thing good in your life and let that transfer you ahead.”
Jernazian has appeared on nationwide media together with, “The As we speak Present,” and collaborated with sports activities icons like Andrew Gaze to boost consciousness for youngsters with important sickness. In 2025, he launched his memoir, “I Made Most cancers Cry Twice.”
Transcript
What recommendation would you supply about discovering power and objective after most cancers, particularly for a youthful particular person?
You need to discover and maintain onto every little thing optimistic you could, regardless of how small it’s. Concentrate on the wins. In fact, more often than not you’ll have unhealthy days and struggles, whether or not it’s day-to-day life, work, one other prognosis, or one thing else, but it surely’s about specializing in the optimistic. Take into consideration how far you’ve come, what you’ve achieved, and what you continue to need to do. Targets are crucial.
Hopefully, you could have household and peer assist — that’s crucial. One other factor that usually will get neglected is religion. I believe that’s fairly vital. It doesn’t matter what faith you consider in. Simply having that connection to a better energy can provide you power. That religious power is a really silent power, and lots of people overlook it. I’m an enormous advocate for it.
I don’t suppose there’s one single factor you may level to: it’s actually about being dynamic and pulling collectively every little thing in your life that’s optimistic and robust. Use that to encourage your self and push by way of something. I actually consider that’s key.
Transcript has been edited for readability and conciseness.
For extra information on most cancers updates, analysis and training, don’t overlook to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters right here.
