Cancer Advocacy that Bites Back
Read the Cancer Sharks piece that speaks to the shiver.
The original cancer shark: amanda goodwin, stage IV Melanoma
Amanda underwent an emergency craniotomy just days after being diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma that had spread to her brain, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. Before heading into what became a successful surgery, a dear friend invited her to embrace “shark magic.” She did. And that choice became the spark for Cancer Sharks — a movement proving that truth, humor, and grit can transform even the rough
During her recovery, Amanda turned her focus to cancer advocacy and discovered that purple is the all-encompassing color of awareness and research. That discovery deepened her vision for Cancer Sharks: to unite diverse journeys into one powerful movement of resilience and connection.
Ribbons are pretty and polite. But cancer is ugly and scary — and Cancer Sharks bite back.
Want to know what it’s like to swim with the Sharks? Start with Amanda’s ongoing journey through melanoma, resilience, and storytelling:
🔗 My Beautiful Brain
🔗 A Storytelling Sojourn
And Listen to: An Evening of Moth-Style Stories by clicking "Storytelling" in the navigation menu.
From the first Melanoma Shark, Amanda began crafting new variations for friends facing other cancers — proof that one Shark can spark a whole shiver, and that no one swims these waters alone.
How Cancer Sharks SHOW UP IN THE WILDs of TReatment
The first black-sequinned Cancer Shark was born as Amanda’s Melanoma Shark — and soon became a movement. What started as one fierce Shark turned into stickers she shares with every doctor, nurse, and supporter along the way. Each sticker is more than an image; it’s an invitation into the shiver.