My Ewing Sarcoma Story

My name is Jonathan Gardner. I'm 23 years old, a cancer survivor, and an autistic disability and sarcoma advocate. I share my story because cancer is hard, and every patient deserves to be heard.

The Diagnosis

My cancer journey began in 2021 when I was 18. I was in severe pain, but some doctors focused more on my autism than my symptoms. One even told my mom I needed a psychiatrist. For a moment, I wondered if the pain was in my head — but it wasn't. It was Ewing sarcoma on my vertebrae. What happened to me is called diagnostic overshadowing, and it nearly cost me my life. That's one reason I advocate today: disability should never erase someone's pain.

Treatment

I started treatment on April 19, 2021: 14 cycles of chemotherapy and 31 radiation treatments. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. Because I'm autistic, not knowing what would happen made everything scarier. Before my port was placed, my parents helped me understand by sewing a real port into a Cookie Monster plush. Cookie Monster stayed with me through treatment and helped me feel safe.

I was lucky to be treated at Massachusetts General Hospital, where everyone — doctors, nurses, front desk staff, infusion coordinators — took time to know me as a person. They respected my Supported Decision-Making, explained things in ways I understood, and adjusted care to support my mental health. My oncologist told me, "My goal is to treat to cure you, and however we need to do that, we'll do it." And they did.

There were moments when I felt like I couldn't keep going. My mom didn't force me — she listened. Together with my medical team, we found a way forward, and I chose to continue. That taught me that accepting help doesn't mean losing your voice; it means trusting your people.

Lessons Learned

Cancer taught me to find joy in small things — video games, fishing, being outside, talking with people I love. My therapist taught me to "ride the wave" of anxiety: recognize it, stay on the board, and ride it to shore. I learned that mental health matters as much as physical health, and prayer helped me through some of my hardest moments.

I finished chemotherapy on November 29, 2021. I still deal with long-term side effects and scan anxiety, but cancer gave me a new purpose. Today, I advocate for sarcoma patients, survivors, and families. Sarcoma is rare, so we must be louder. In 2026, I helped establish July 24 as Sarcoma Awareness Day in Massachusetts, and I continue advocating nationally.

On my last day of chemo, my medical team surprised me with a Cookie Monster–themed celebration and a joy book signed by everyone who supported me. I may forget some medical details, but I will never forget how they made me feel. They didn't just save my life — they became part of it.

Looking Ahead

I still have lessons to learn, and hopefully a long life ahead to learn them. For now, I want to keep helping others, supporting the sarcoma and disability communities, spending time with people I love, finding joy, and being grateful for every day. Cancer taught me that life is a gift.