Hellooo cancer!

A little over a year ago, Carmen Anderson found out that she has metastatic thyroid cancer. The 37-year-old second-year graduate student in the School of Education and graduate assistant at the Women’s Resource Center then wrote and produced a comedy show about it.

According to the American Cancer Society, metastatic cancer is a type of cancer that has spread away from the original site. It is named after the place the cancer was first found in the body. 

When fellow WRC staffer Sue Cahill asked Anderson if she would ever share her experiences in front of an audience, Anderson mentioned that she had always wanted to coordinate a one-woman show.
Then the idea became clearer and clearer.

“About four and a half months later, here we are…Carmen’s first one-woman show,” Cahill said.
Anderson wants people who have experienced cancer personally, or through a loved one, to see her show.
“I am hoping to raise awareness, and reach people who may need to process how cancer has affected their life,” Anderson said.

As for the “nearly one woman show” in the title, there is one scene in which other women join the stage.
“A number of WRC members are participating in the show,” said Bridge Gorrow, WRC coordinator.

The rest of the staff is supporting Anderson with both publicity for the show and moral support. 

“Carmen is hilarious and brilliant, and everyone will learn a lot,” Gorrow said.

It’s not just about performing for Anderson.

“I hope to facilitate conversation around cancer and how it affects peoples’ lives,” Anderson said. “I hope this show is the beginning of a cancer support group on campus for students, faculty and staff.”