Amplify Speakers
Cancer & Health Survivor Keynote Speakers
A survivor story told well changes how a room thinks about its own problems. Told badly, it becomes a sad hour with no takeaway. The speakers here have done the work of turning a personal health crisis into something an audience can use.
The top cancer and health survivor keynote speakers on the Amplify Speakers roster are Amy Purdy, Steve Boorstein, Robin Farmanfarmaian, Mel Abraham and Nesha Pai. Each has shared their own health story publicly and turned it into a message about resilience, perspective and what matters at work.
Every speaker on this page has shared their own experience on their Amplify profile: cancer, stroke, meningitis, organ failure, misdiagnosis or dozens of surgeries. They speak to healthcare audiences, wellness programs, patient advocacy events and corporate audiences alike.
The Roster
Matching the Story to the Audience
Inspiration for any general session. At 19, Amy Purdy was given less than a two percent chance of survival after meningococcal meningitis, lost both legs below the knee and received a kidney from her father. She went on to win three Paralympic medals. Amberly Lago, a USA Today bestselling author, rebuilt her life after a motorcycle accident and 34 surgeries to save her leg.
Healthcare and patient experience. Steve Boorstein, author of Different Strokes, has lived nearly two decades as a stroke survivor and offers a clinical program, A Day in the Life of a Stroke Survivor. Robin Farmanfarmaian was misdiagnosed in her teens and twenties, leading to 43 hospitalizations and three organs removed, before she took control of her care. Her signature keynote, The Patient as CEO, is built on that story.
Business, finance and leadership audiences. Mel Abraham is a CPA, Certified Speaking Professional and two-time cancer survivor. Nesha Pai, a CPA and breast cancer survivor, built one of the country's first fully remote accounting firms. Jay Kiew, a half-blind cancer survivor, speaks on change and transformation, and Simon Luthi, a former Fortune 100 chief strategy officer, built his message on leadership and biology after a cancer diagnosis.
A note on sensitivity
If your audience includes patients, caregivers or people who have recently lost someone, tell us. These speakers handle that well when they know in advance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a health survivor keynote speaker?
A speaker who shares their own experience of a serious illness, injury or medical crisis and connects it to lessons on resilience, perspective, advocacy or leadership.
Who are the best cancer survivor speakers?
On the Amplify roster, Mel Abraham, Nesha Pai, Jay Kiew and Simon Luthi have each shared their own cancer experience publicly, alongside their expertise in finance, leadership and change.
Do you have speakers for healthcare and patient experience events?
Yes. Steve Boorstein offers a clinical program on life as a stroke survivor, and Robin Farmanfarmaian speaks on patient empowerment. See also our healthcare keynote speakers.
Are these talks only about illness?
No. The health story is the foundation, but most of these keynotes focus on resilience, change, purpose or leadership, so they work for corporate audiences too.
Can a survivor speaker talk about disability and inclusion?
Yes. See our disability employment awareness speakers, which includes Amy Purdy, Amberly Lago and Steve Boorstein.
BROWSE MORE SPEAKERS BY TOPIC
Overcoming Adversity | Resilience Speakers | Inspirational Speakers | Healthcare Speakers | Health & Wellness | Disability Employment Awareness | All Topics
Looking for a true story that moves the room?
Tell us about your audience and what they are going through. We will match a speaker whose story fits, usually within one business day.