Surviving Cancer with Games and Community
When he was 12 years old Steven Gonzalez was diagnosed with AML Leukemia and given a two percent chance of survival. With the support of his family and world-class medical treatment, he beat cancer but could not beat the feelings of isolation that comes with being a teenager with a life-threatening illness. To his surprise, video games helped close that gap. Games helped start conversations with new friends with cancer, bridge awkwardness with old friends who couldn’t relate, and eased some of the symptoms of his illness and side-effects of his treatment. At 18 years old, Steven launched The Survivor Games, a nonprofit that uses video games to support and connect teen cancer survivors. During this session, Steven will discuss his experience with cancer, how video games helped or hindered his recovery, and how the gaming and cancer communities can come together so that no one will ever have to endure cancer alone.