Praise for the Cancer Channel Book

Sarah McDonald is one of the most inspiring people I know. This book captures what I had the opportunity to see in person when I was CEO of eBay—how her authenticity, positive mindset and true courage helped transform everyone around her.

This book is critical for those of us who have friends battling cancer, but also for those of us who have teammates who are fighting the same battle. Sarah gives us insight into how we can best show up for both.

The Cancer Channel offers us a front passenger seat on the journey to fight cancer. Whether you are battling it yourself, know someone who is, or want to read an incredible story of raw and real resilience—this book is for you.

Sarah’s book is a call to arms to physicians, patients, and to friends, family, and employers to be more reachable, to take ownership of their medical records and decision-making, and to be even more in-the-moment and listening. It’s a brave, honest, often humorous voice to the physical and emotional pain of incurable cancer, and the hope that, if we can silence its voice from time to time, we can focus on the positives and, with the help of a strong collective effort, survive if not thrive in its wake.

Sarah’s memoir not only captures her powerful journey, lessons learned, and tremendous fortitude, but it is a strong call to action for employers everywhere to take a hard look at how they can better support their employees struggling with life-threatening diseases. She is living proof that providing the time and space to fully heal leads to better outcomes for the employee and greater loyalty to the company.

This honest, and at times raw memoir brings the reader along on the journey to face their fears with grace, passion, and humor. Each enlightening and inspiring lesson is an excellent reminder of specifically how to support a friend in need.

Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a wonderful story of perseverance amidst an improbable battle with not one but two cancers. Sarah brings this to life in a witty and engaging way that gives you real insight into what it is really like to go toe-to-toe with this terrible disease—and come out on the other side.

I laughed. I cried. I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t put the book down. Sarah’s humanity and humor kept me talking about her story long after I put the book down.

This is the book you hope you or a loved one will never need to read. The Cancer Channel is Sarah’s personal and unvarnished experience with the belief that cancer becomes less scary when we can talk openly about it. With humility and humor, she brilliantly shares her personal struggle to help bring hope and courage to anyone in their fight against cancer.

Sarah has a special way of pulling you into her personal triumph over cancer(s) through very honest, emotional, and engaging storytelling.

Not only does Sarah delve into the unknowns of a rare cancer diagnosis, but her journey resonates with every person impacted by cancer. It’s a story about the fragility of life, human resilience, and the power of turning gratitude into action. We are grateful to Sarah reminding us that ‘extraordinary moments do happen on ordinary days.’

Battling two cancers while trying to get pregnant for the first time, Sarah takes us through her journey with a positive perspective. Her heart, humor, and humanity shine through in this book which is a must read for anyone navigating cancer care.

This book is a window into the mind of a 40-year-old woman fighting two cancers simultaneously, while handling the pressures of a career and marriage. Not only does it include the elements of fear, bravery, and triumph you’d expect from a book like this, but it’s also filled with a metrics-based process and humor that are unexpected and will make you laugh out loud.

Many people and families, including ours, have faced the intense fear and sadness of cancer. And, as Sarah so eloquently and authentically shares, there can also be humor and hope in the midst of the pain and adversity.

Sarah’s survival story through more than one cancer and infertility is an incredible journey that will leave the reader feeling inspired and hopeful. Consider gifting this book to loved ones seeking encouragement, direct talk, and humor.

Visceral, hilarious, devastating, and hopeful, Sarah McDonald has opened an intimate window to the lived experience of cancer and survivorship. I’d recommend this read to anyone in health care to remember why we do the work. I am a better clinician for it.

I highly recommend this book for patients, caregivers, and their family and friends. Sarah provides an intimate and honest view of her cancer journey, while at the same time providing hope that better days lay ahead for anyone facing a health challenge.