Episode 157: When a Community Shows Up: Childhood Cancer and Friendship

✅ Dear Nina Ep. 157 🎙️| When a Community Shows Up: Childhood Cancer and Friendship 👇

Amy Blumenfeld was in 8th grade when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. While the medical story is remarkable on its own (including Amy becoming the first adolescent with Hodgkin lymphoma to have an autologous bone marrow transplant at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC), what stayed with her deeply was how her community showed up for her family. Just one example: a group of friends and synagogue families created a full-length skit video—Amy Night Live—to lift her spirits during isolation. Her community's love, support, and generosity became the emotional backdrop of her storytelling and work for years to come.

We talk about:

How Amy’s real-life community inspired the fictional community and circle of friends in her debut novel The Cast

The ripple effect of early illness on friendships, families, and even future partners, careers, and children

How illness can reshape your view of who matters and why

Amy's second novel, Such Good People, which explores childhood friendship and loyalty against the backdrop of the criminal justice system

The complexities of loyalty when friends and family need you at the same time

🌟 Episode Highlights

💬 Four Friendship Lessons
Humility is a superpower
If you can hold off on assuming you know someone’s intentions, you’ll solve a lot of problems before they even start.

Making friends is always awkward—no matter your age
Whether you're 9, 32, or 82, it still takes putting yourself out there. Good news: it’s supposed to feel uncomfortable.

Redefining reciprocity will change your life
Friendship is not a game of “even.” It’s about understanding how someone shows up, not just how often.

Friend groups stir up a lot of feelings
People want in. Or they want out. Or they don’t have one and feel weird about that. You’re not alone in this.

Listen for the 4 podcasting lessons too!

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