The first time I went to the myCancerConnection Cancer Survivorship Conference after being diagnosed with breast cancer, I remember feeling out of place, like I didn't belong there. “Why do these people keep coming back?” I wondered. “What are they celebrating?” I thought it was so odd.

Little did I know that 18 years later, I’d still be attending the conference. And that in between, I’d not only serve as a member of the conference...