Anthony A.

Antony Alvarado is a two-time brain cancer survivor who began his journey at just 9 years old. At first, it felt like his life had been derailed, but over the years, he came to realize that his path had simply shifted. Now, years later, Antony is thriving as a survivor. He finds purpose in gardening, photography, and is working toward a career as a physician-scientist, where he aspires to help other cancer patients—not only as a physician in the clinic but also as a patient mentor and scientist in the lab.

Antony was part of CanCare’s very first virtual training, Class 100. During the 2020 pandemic, after moving back home from college, Antony felt isolated. He wanted to connect with others while practicing social distancing. One day, while searching for cancer volunteer programs online, he came across CanCare and reached out to ask about virtual training. Two months later, he completed the program and became part of the CanCare family. Antony’s story is a testament to resilience and finding purpose through serving others, no matter where life’s track may lead.

When asked about how CanCare has impacted his life... Mentoring has been a big part of my life, and for most of it, I have been the mentee. Recently, I’ve gained experiences that allow me to step into the role of a mentor. What I wish people knew is that the opportunity to be a mentor during such a significant process in someone’s medical care—and even better, during a shared experience—elevates the mentor-mentee relationship to a WHOLE 'NOTHA LEVEL!