Elephants and Tea: Why AYAs Deserve Their Own Cancer Support Space

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Giallourakis, Executive Director of the Steven G. Cancer Foundation and co-founder of Elephants and Tea, a digital magazine and support platform for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors. We begin by learning about Nick’s brother, Steve, whose incredible journey as a five-time cancer survivor—including osteosarcoma, Secondary AML, renal cell carcinoma, and pleomorphic sarcoma—serves as the foundation and inspiration for Nick’s work.Nick walks us through the origins of Elephants and Tea, which he co-founded with his mother, Angie. The platform emerged from a need for authentic, uncensored storytelling within the AYA cancer space. They pivoted from a traditional media model to a platform where survivors share their stories in their own words. This decision came from listening to survivors who didn’t want their experiences diluted. The magazine’s name—suggested through a contest—symbolizes the raw truth of cancer as the “elephant in the room,” while “tea” represents the comfort found in open dialogue.Nick highlights key challenges AYAs face: financial toxicity, unstable careers, insurance struggles, dating, and misdiagnoses due to age biases. He’s encouraged by the growing trend of self-advocacy in this group, including the rise in second opinions. We reflect on the post-COVID landscape, noting how virtual platforms opened doors for more isolated individuals, while in-person connections remain essential for others.We touch on caregiving—especially for AYAs where roles can be filled by peers, not just parents. Nick emphasizes the importance of caregivers asking for help and delegating tasks. He also speaks candidly about the emotional toll of losing community members and the need to acknowledge and process that grief.We explore how storytelling fuels community-building at Elephants and Tea. The magazine has contributors from 15 countries, highlighting a global hunger for connection and support. Nick shares how partnerships—like their impactful collaboration with Walgreens—are making tangible changes, such as mandatory fertility counseling for patients receiving chemo for the first time. Behind the scenes, they're working with industry and medical organizations to use these stories for systemic change.As for what’s next, Elephants and Tea continues to expand its in-person programming, including regional magazine release events. They're consistently surveying their audience to ensure their efforts are aligned with current needs. Nick leaves us with a heartfelt story of a late community member who, through a simple virtual Halloween hangout, helped spark deeper bonds and outreach across the cancer community.More: Elephants and Tea: https://elephantsandtea.comSteven G. AYA Cancer Research Fund: https://stevengcancerfoundation.orgCancer and Fertility Magazine produced by Elephants and Tea WITH Walgreens: https://elephantsandtea.org/cancer-fertility/YA Cancer Gabfest (Cactus Cancer Society): https://cactuscancer.org/ya-cancer-gabfestStupid Cancer: https://stupidcancer.org/Thanks to our Season 17 Sponsors:Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS): https://lls.org/and Incyte: https://incyte.com/ National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK.  Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.