Natasha Allen, a passionate cancer activist who courageously battled synovial sarcoma for five years. Tragically, she lost her life to COVID-19 on August 22, at just 28 years old. Diagnosed at 23, Allen used her platform to document her health journey. She knew firsthand the issues that young people encounter once they receive their cancer diagnosis, and she fought tirelessly to promote their cause. Her advocacy efforts have changed the way we provide support to young adults going through the same diagnoses.
Unfortunately in 2020, Allen found out that she had a tumor that would leave her life forever altered. Synovial sarcoma has a penchant for those adolescents and young adults younger than 40. It typically presents in the limbs, legs or feet, sometimes specifically around joints like the wrist or ankle. As her diagnosis became public, she sought community and connection through social media at a time when more young individuals were facing cancer diagnoses.
Allen’s advocacy extended beyond her personal experiences. She took the lead in creating a unique mentorship program to help young patients with cancer. This new initiative will be kicking off this fall. It hopes to inspire courage and conviction in individuals who are in the midst of their own cancer battle.
Her social media voice resonated tremendously with folks. Suspicious and relieved by turns, she took us into the gritty truth of her diagnosis, right up to the moments of joy and great humor. In one of her final TikTok videos, she lip-synced a line from the musical “Hamilton,” showcasing her vibrant spirit even in the face of adversity.
“When you hear cancer, you think death right away, even if you don’t want to.” – Natasha Allen
Through her experience, Allen became a passionate advocate for more research and funding for sarcoma treatments. Her speech was equal parts a report on her personal journey and a call to arms for more action by and for the cancer community.
“It was also a warning that sarcoma patients don’t have time to wait and a call to action for us to do something about it. Without advancements in research, we cannot improve outcomes and without funding we cannot do either.” – Nathan
And she touched the lives of those beyond her local community. At the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s annual gala in New York City, Allen was honored for her contributions, highlighting the legacy she leaves behind. Friends and supporters remembered her as “disarmingly funny, thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent, and wise beyond her years.”
Natasha’s story continues to open up important conversations about what young adults diagnosed with this disease are going through. She took to social media to candidly discuss her ups and downs. In doing so, she opened the door for others to share their stories and receive help in a safe environment.
The emotional impact of Allen’s journey is amplified by her work as an advocate. Her experience made crystal clear to her how important community is for pediatric cancer patients. Her initiatives are poised to fundamentally change how support systems for them are structured.
