Reimagining Survivorship: How A Moment of Magic Is Transforming Mental Health in Oncology

We were honored to represent A Moment of Magic at the recent Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Coalition Conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This national convening brought together thought leaders, healthcare professionals, advocates, and survivors committed to improving outcomes for teens and young adults affected by cancer.

Our presentation centered on Express, Create, Heal, our award-winning, trauma-informed mental wellness program designed specifically for AYA cancer survivors. Delivered by trained volunteers, the program uses creative expression, such as drawing, storytelling, music, and journaling, to provide emotionally safe spaces that foster connection, self-reflection, and empowerment.

We shared early evaluation data, which showed:

• Increased emotional expression

• Greater access to relevant mental health resources

• Strengthened peer support networks

These insights reinforce our belief that healing requires medical care and more. We believe that art, community, and emotional safety can be powerful tools for recovery and resilience.

Whether offered in person or virtually, Express, Create, Heal is helping fill critical gaps in survivorship support, particularly for medically underserved and psychosocially vulnerable AYA populations.

We’ve made our full presentation publicly available on our website. We invite you to explore our findings and join us in reimagining what survivorship care can look like when we center joy, dignity, and mental wellness.

Access Our Full Presentation