Research case study / 01
Yes We Cancer
Investigating the hidden realities of pediatric cancer and the systems families rely on to survive it.
Yes We Cancer · 2024 – 2026
- 01
The Question
What happens beneath the surface of a pediatric cancer diagnosis, and why are families left to navigate so much of it on their own?
- 02
Context & Challenge
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family gets sick. Beyond treatment, families face a complex and often fragmented support landscape, spanning finances, daily logistics, relationships, identity, and grief. And there isn’t much out there to help everyone else.
- 03
Research Approach
I began with in-depth conversations with families, which revealed an unexpected insight: even when asked about life beyond treatment, all they could talk about was the medicine.
This led to a broader investigation, including ongoing interviews with parents, social workers, and organizational leaders, as well as an extensive review of existing research and support systems.
Emerging Insights
Early conversations are raising important questions about identity, belonging, and the hidden work of receiving support.
Identity
More than a cancer parent.
A simple shift in language, from “cancer mom” to “a mom with a child who has cancer,” brought visible relief, pointing to the deep impact of identity, grief, and how families are perceived and perceive themselves long after diagnosis.
Responsibility
Help ≠ project management.
Even when support is available, families are often responsible for not only coordinating it all, but understanding their needs during a life-altering crisis. What would support look like if it were proactive instead of reactive?
The Cancer Iceberg
A research-driven podcast exploring the financial, emotional, and relational realities of pediatric cancer; the topics that stay beneath the surface when medicine is just the tip of the iceberg.
My role, end to end
Research
Topic development, literature review, and guest identification
Interviewing
Outreach, preparation, and conversation design
Production
Recording, audio editing, and episode assembly
Composition
Original music and sound design
Tools & Apps
- Interviews & Surveys
- Dovetail · Ethnio · Figma
- Composition & Audio
- Ableton · Riverside · Audacity
- Sources & Database
- Zotero · Obsidian
Project Status
In developmentResearch into production.
- 3Episodes recorded
- 1Episode produced
- 10Hour-long interviews
- 300+Sources & research materials
The Cancer Iceberg is currently in production, with episodes recorded and additional interviews and research ongoing.