Too Young for Cancer: Author inspires audience at The Gathering Place


She wanted a fighting chance—and fight, she did.

Cancer survivor and author Katie Coleman is now sharing her story of courage and self-advocacy in the face of adversity in her book, “Too Young for Cancer: One Woman’s Battle for a Diagnosis and a Fighting Chance,” and recently spoke to a group at The Gathering Place’s Beachwood facility, a nonprofit supporting people coping with cancer.

“I was diagnosed with an ultra-rare stage IV kidney cancer in 2020,” reflects Coleman. At the age of just 29, her diagnosis added Coleman to the list of an astounding number of individuals who have faced the same life-altering challenge.

Approximately 80,000 young adults (YAs) aged 18 to 39, are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death in YAs, taking the lives of about 9,000 young people each year in the U.S.

The Gathering Place, which provides free programs and support groups to anyone impacted by cancer, including YA aged 18 to 45, offers opportunities to engage with inspiring individuals like Coleman, who was invited by the organization to host her book launch Nov. 18.

“Too Young for Cancer” chronicles Coleman’s diagnosis, treatment, and other struggles as she fought the disease and became an advocate for her own survival. 

After reading excerpts from her memoir, she participated in a question and answer session and got to know the attendees, including some who are bravely facing cancer together.

Coleman’s impact is lasting. “I donate everything from my book, social media, and speaking engagements back to research,” she explains.

The Gathering Place’s CEO Michele Seyranian can relate to Coleman’s story on a personal level. Her daughter, Alique, received a cancer diagnosis at the age of four. 

“As a mom of a YA who has now survived a cancer diagnosis twice, I know how crucial it is to not only support our YA population but continue to evolve in our research and understanding of the unique dynamics these diagnoses make on their path at this critical time,” says Seyranian, whose daughter had to fight for her diagnosis. 

Alique did go into remission, but her cancer eventually came back. She recently went into remission again. Like Coleman, Alique has dedicated her life to spreading awareness of the importance of self-advocacy in health care.

After facing her own mortality, Coleman says her life purpose made a profound shift.

“About six months in, when my prognosis had a chance to significantly change, I promised myself I’d dedicate the time I was given to making things better for other patients who may come behind me one day,” she explains. “Which is what I’ve dedicated my life to ever since.”

Coleman now works at the Rare Cancer Research Foundation in North Carolina as a software engineer. She hosts the podcast “Oncology Unscripted” and even founded her own nonprofit called Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance.

Seyranian says the Gathering Place is forward-thinking in its mission and programming, especially with its YA groups, which led to Coleman’s visit.

“We are participating in research and developing programs to support our YA population in navigating the complexities that a cancer diagnosis can have on education, fertility, sexuality, career, identity and more,” she says, “and ways we can help them continue to thrive on their cancer journey.”

Jess Starr
Jess Starr

About the Author: Jess Starr

Jess Starr joins the Freshwater Cleveland team with nearly two decades of experience working in the media and communications fields, and a passion for telling good news stories.