On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Center for Thoracic Cancers hosted a special event for patients and caregivers featuring Annabelle Gurwitch, a best-selling author, award-winning actress, and lung cancer survivor. The event included a panel discussion with Daniel Boffa, MD, professor of surgery (thoracic) and division chief of thoracic surgery, a Q&A with the audience, and a discussion of Annabelle's book "The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker."
Her book is a comedic and poignant memoir about her stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, where she rejects the "cancer warrior" narrative for a more realistic, humorous, and ordinary approach to living with chronic illness, finding joy in the mundane and embracing the absurdities of life and treatment. Patients, caregivers, and members of the Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center attended the event. Watch Annabelle's talk>>