Alique Topalian: One of the greatest honors and accomplishments of my life

Alique Topalian posted on LinkedIn:

“Today I experienced one of the greatest honors and accomplishments of my life. I sat on a panel for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) highlighting AYA stories. I sat alongside another AYA survivor and caregiver. Following this panel- I was given the opportunity to introduce my hero- Suleika Jaouad I read her book Between Two Kingdoms when I was finishing treatment for my relapsed AML. When she was announced as the keynote for cancer lobby day I thanked the ACS CAN staff and got choked up about how much her story changed my life. First they asked me to be on a panel before her session and then they asked me if I would be willing to introduce her. It is not often that you get to meet your hero, and I am so incredibly amazed, honored, and blessed not only to meet my hero, but to get to hug her and share the impact she has had on my life, career, and advocacy. I have included some of my speech below. Thank you American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) for making this true dream come true, and highlighting AYA voices such as myself. You truly are changing cancer as we know it!

After being inpatient for 6 months for active treatment I was home to ‘recover’ before starting maintenance, and I found her book and for the first time I felt like someone actually understood what I was going through. I don’t know how to describe the bond I felt with her, reading her words, seeing the same thoughts and struggles I was having written in this way was one of the most cathartic and healing experiences I could have had at this time in my life. I had been feeling so alone, stuck between two kingdoms. But now, I wasn’t alone- I had Suleika- and she was brave enough to find cancer friends in the AYA space, I decided I wanted to find my own tribe like hers. This is how I became involved in the cancer community, ACS CAN, and now a researcher in survivorship and supportive services. Suleika- I thank you for your work. I thank you for your passion, and I thank you for your advocacy for people like me. Thank you for showing me it is still possible to live a fulfilling life in the face and aftermath of cancer. I know you have inspired so many others such as myself. Thank you for helping me find my voice so l can help others too. Thank you for continuing to love deeply even though you have lost so many you care about- a feeling I now understand so deeply. And most of all- thank you for being here today because this truly is my own version of an AYA ‘make a wish'”

Source: Alique Topalian/LinkedIn

Alique Topalian is a research scientist specializing in Survivorship and Supportive Services at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. She has served as a Patient Experience Council Consultant at Servier and as a Research Consultant at 1N5. Her research primarily focuses on psychosocial programming and community engagement within the fields of oncology and mental health.