What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cancer Channel: One year. Two cancers. Three miracles.
If you’re a cancer patient or know and love someone who is on this difficult journey, this book was written for you. In a voice that will make you feel you’ve met a new, fun friend, Sarah shares in vivid detail the events surrounding her year of cancer treatments. She touches on both the terror and the humor that can be found in the little moments that are part of fighting this awful disease. As a survivor and a champion determined to foster better understanding of the dos and don’ts with cancer patients, Sarah provides a story of hope to all who read this.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
“Sarah McDonald is one of the most inspiring people I know. This book captures what I had the opportunity to see in person when I was CEO of eBay—how her authenticity, positive mindset and true courage helped transform everyone around her.”
- John Donahoe, CEO of Nike
“I highly recommend this book for patients, caregivers, and their family and friends. Sarah provides an intimate and honest view of her cancer journey, while at the same time providing hope that better days lay ahead for anyone facing a health challenge.”
- Dave Linn, co-founder of Cycle for Survival
______________________________________________________________________________________________
At 44, Sarah McDonald was newly married, newly promoted, and planning pregnancy. It felt like a time of new beginnings in her life when suddenly she was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer. Two months later she was diagnosed with another, unrelated cancer. During this struggle, her father’s cancer, ten years in remission, returned and added new challenges but also a cancer buddy to her world. Told in an honest and oftentimes vulnerable voice, Sarah recounts a year of difficult stories in lighthearted and humorous ways. Readers of this book will laugh and cry—and find it very difficult to set down.
About the Author
Sarah E. McDonald is two-time cancer survivor and one-time mother of daughter, Rory. She’s spent the majority of her 30-year career in the technology industry, with 14 years at eBay, including the period while she was battling cancer. The Cancer Channel is her first book.
To learn more, visit TheCancerChannelBook.com.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
“Sarah McDonald is one of the most inspiring people I know. This book captures what I had the opportunity to see in person when I was CEO of eBay—how her authenticity, positive mindset and true courage helped transform everyone around her.”
- John Donahoe, CEO of Nike
“I highly recommend this book for patients, caregivers, and their family and friends. Sarah provides an intimate and honest view of her cancer journey, while at the same time providing hope that better days lay ahead for anyone facing a health challenge.”
- Dave Linn, co-founder of Cycle for Survival
______________________________________________________________________________________________
At 44, Sarah McDonald was newly married, newly promoted, and planning pregnancy. It felt like a time of new beginnings in her life when suddenly she was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer. Two months later she was diagnosed with another, unrelated cancer. During this struggle, her father’s cancer, ten years in remission, returned and added new challenges but also a cancer buddy to her world. Told in an honest and oftentimes vulnerable voice, Sarah recounts a year of difficult stories in lighthearted and humorous ways. Readers of this book will laugh and cry—and find it very difficult to set down.
About the Author
Sarah E. McDonald is two-time cancer survivor and one-time mother of daughter, Rory. She’s spent the majority of her 30-year career in the technology industry, with 14 years at eBay, including the period while she was battling cancer. The Cancer Channel is her first book.
To learn more, visit TheCancerChannelBook.com.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2022
18 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 28, 2022
In The Cancer Channel, Sarah McDonald takes us through the highs and lows of her cancer journey in a real, human way. The lows often are very low and the openness with which Sarah shares about them prepares the reader for whatever role they might be playing in a cancer journey. The highs are moments in which the clouds part amidst a whole lot of suck and you find yourself rooting for Sarah and her loved ones -- so often I found myself laughing at Sarah's inextinguishable humor even as my eyes were clouded with tears. This book is an approachable masterpiece on how to fight cancer, manage your medical care through a disjointed and too often uncaring medical system in the US, embrace your humanity, and most importantly, to live. Sarah's wish says it best, "May you be happy. May you be well. May you find peace."
October 28, 2022
Not your typical “cancer” book
This is so much more than just a cancer book. It is a book that shows how life can be rewarding even in the midst of adversity. I dealt with Sarah many times during her tenure at eBay and the humor in this book is just like hearing her voice again. I knew she had battled cancer, but I didn’t realize to what extent. Her journey through it should give other people hope and let them know that there can be a wonderful life after and even during cancer. I would recommend this book to Everyone. We all know someone touched by cancer or have experienced or are currently experiencing it ourselves. This book can bring hope!
This is so much more than just a cancer book. It is a book that shows how life can be rewarding even in the midst of adversity. I dealt with Sarah many times during her tenure at eBay and the humor in this book is just like hearing her voice again. I knew she had battled cancer, but I didn’t realize to what extent. Her journey through it should give other people hope and let them know that there can be a wonderful life after and even during cancer. I would recommend this book to Everyone. We all know someone touched by cancer or have experienced or are currently experiencing it ourselves. This book can bring hope!
November 12, 2022
Sarah shared her difficult experience with honesty and humor. It is not a "downer" book--but one that inspires compassion and hope.
August 15, 2023
Rating personal experiences such as this is always so hard, and this book did a great job in describing a very personal journey through cancer, there are many heartbreaking moments and it does a wonderful job at explaining how hard it is to just deal with it all. I think it paints a very complete picture of what is like, and can help people going through the disease and people that have loved ones in the situation, and she even manages to do so with some fun in it.
But of course, every cancer journey is very different, just as she mentions. It’s lovely to hear that she won her battle, that she made it and has found a normal life again and got to do more things she wanted, like having a family. It was also very sad hearing her mention the friends that didn’t make it.
What you take from the book I think is the importance of living your life, enjoying the little moments and prioritising yourself and your loved ones. It was an enriching reading experience.
But of course, every cancer journey is very different, just as she mentions. It’s lovely to hear that she won her battle, that she made it and has found a normal life again and got to do more things she wanted, like having a family. It was also very sad hearing her mention the friends that didn’t make it.
What you take from the book I think is the importance of living your life, enjoying the little moments and prioritising yourself and your loved ones. It was an enriching reading experience.
October 23, 2022
Passion to get to the other side
Sarah is an amazing human, who harnessed her passion and humor to survive the most challenging of experiences. I’m cancer survivor myself with a very different journey, yet I relate to so many of Sarah’s feelings and experiences. She tells her story with vulnerability and humility, and provides total inspiration.
Sarah is an amazing human, who harnessed her passion and humor to survive the most challenging of experiences. I’m cancer survivor myself with a very different journey, yet I relate to so many of Sarah’s feelings and experiences. She tells her story with vulnerability and humility, and provides total inspiration.
October 16, 2022
This book is a great read for anyone with friends, family members or coworkers who are fighting cancer. It is a quick read, but packed with information about the emotional, logistical, and physiological hurdles that a cancer patient faces. Although the topic is tough, you will find yourself laughing out loud with the author and celebrating with her wins along the way.
October 11, 2022
Beautiful, poignant, funny, sad, uplifting. All the feels. This memoir made me laugh and cry, and ultimately feel so much hope. Highly recommend.
July 16, 2023
More is not ALWAYS "Merrier!"
This book tells the story of Sarah (and her family) as she is diagnosed with two separate kinds of cancer at different times but within a short time span. It follows her through her initial diagnoses, leave of absences, treatment protocols, her father's death from cancer and finally a much wanted pregnancy which resulted in the birth of their beautiful little girl, Rory.
I found the story to be engaging in that it captured and held my attention, funny in spots and over all had a positive and encouraging tone to it which I need right now as my own mom is quite possibly facing a second lung cancer diagnosis after 12 years cancer free and minus one lung from round one. It is, as the author knows, a highly vulnerable and stressful time!
I held off from a 5 star rating because for me, I find it unnecessary and offensive to take the Lord's name in vain for ANY reason! And secondly, I do not and did not understand why the author felt the need to jab at obese people or generalize that they really enjoy cruising for the buffets (implied, from my understanding of that piece). Yes, I struggle with more than a little weight but I don't just spend money on food and I have never been on a cruise. THIS time, I chose to spend money on YOUR book and quite honestly, those two things made me wish I hadn't. After all, would it be okay if when you were just getting used to baldness , I or someone else poked fun at you? Just know I don't consider myself better than you or anyone but I wouldn't do that -- and, being a writer also, IF I'd made that faux pas, I'd HOPE my editor would have pointed it out and said "I expect better than that from you."
Otherwise, this was a good read.
This book tells the story of Sarah (and her family) as she is diagnosed with two separate kinds of cancer at different times but within a short time span. It follows her through her initial diagnoses, leave of absences, treatment protocols, her father's death from cancer and finally a much wanted pregnancy which resulted in the birth of their beautiful little girl, Rory.
I found the story to be engaging in that it captured and held my attention, funny in spots and over all had a positive and encouraging tone to it which I need right now as my own mom is quite possibly facing a second lung cancer diagnosis after 12 years cancer free and minus one lung from round one. It is, as the author knows, a highly vulnerable and stressful time!
I held off from a 5 star rating because for me, I find it unnecessary and offensive to take the Lord's name in vain for ANY reason! And secondly, I do not and did not understand why the author felt the need to jab at obese people or generalize that they really enjoy cruising for the buffets (implied, from my understanding of that piece). Yes, I struggle with more than a little weight but I don't just spend money on food and I have never been on a cruise. THIS time, I chose to spend money on YOUR book and quite honestly, those two things made me wish I hadn't. After all, would it be okay if when you were just getting used to baldness , I or someone else poked fun at you? Just know I don't consider myself better than you or anyone but I wouldn't do that -- and, being a writer also, IF I'd made that faux pas, I'd HOPE my editor would have pointed it out and said "I expect better than that from you."
Otherwise, this was a good read.
January 30, 2025
In addition to what others have noted regarding the resilience, tone, and inspiration depicted in this cancer journey, I found it very practical as someone whose husband in getting launched on his journey. I appreciated so much the specific details of what the various therapies were like, what kind of side effects she had and how she endured. This is exactly the questions I have. And, of course, the hope and determination to take on this most unwanted life phase set a great example. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story!
October 22, 2022
Great informative and easy to read
I will start this off by saying I never had cancer. I read it because I know Sarah from high school. I was entertained, informed and I wanted to know her story. She was a fighter when I knew her back then. What I mean is that any challenge that came her way she took it on and triumphed. Glad I read it. Not overly technical on medical terminology with just enough to let the science show. Great job Sarah.
I will start this off by saying I never had cancer. I read it because I know Sarah from high school. I was entertained, informed and I wanted to know her story. She was a fighter when I knew her back then. What I mean is that any challenge that came her way she took it on and triumphed. Glad I read it. Not overly technical on medical terminology with just enough to let the science show. Great job Sarah.
July 14, 2023
Spot On Insight into Cancer Patient’s Journey
A honest story about the day to day medical issues, side effects and mental anguish that unfortunately accompany a cancer diagnosis. Helpful to friends & family regarding insight into a person with cancer’s struggles. Also, very relatable for a cancer patient
A honest story about the day to day medical issues, side effects and mental anguish that unfortunately accompany a cancer diagnosis. Helpful to friends & family regarding insight into a person with cancer’s struggles. Also, very relatable for a cancer patient
March 9, 2023
Incredible memoir!
Great balance of candor, humor and detail. This is a fabulous read for anyone and especially for cancer patients, survivors and families of those suffering from cancer. BRAVA, Sarah!
Great balance of candor, humor and detail. This is a fabulous read for anyone and especially for cancer patients, survivors and families of those suffering from cancer. BRAVA, Sarah!
September 5, 2023
I knew her in high school.
I can hear her speaking, I can hear her singing. I had moments of crying, I laughed. I lost a dad to cancer too, I commiserated. I'm happy for her little family. This was well worth an afternoon. I
I can hear her speaking, I can hear her singing. I had moments of crying, I laughed. I lost a dad to cancer too, I commiserated. I'm happy for her little family. This was well worth an afternoon. I
January 18, 2023
I loved the vulnerability and honesty that Sarah shared with her story. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️
I highly recommend reading and sharing this book.
I highly recommend reading and sharing this book.
Read
February 21, 2023Wonderfully written true story of her battle with the Cancer Channel!
July 8, 2023
How can a book on such a tough topic be so enjoyable to read??? The author’s writing style, humor, honesty and wisdom make this book very special.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews