How do you handle watching cancer touch three generations of your family? Benjamin Kaufman found out when his mom received her stage two breast cancer diagnosis during his junior year of college—3,000 miles away. As the son of host Joelle Kaufman, Benjamin shares the raw experience of being a college student when your parent has cancer.

His response reveals three powerful insights for building confidence through cancer’s curveballs: First, sometimes the most important thing you do is simply show up, even when you don’t know what to say. Second, daily phone calls that avoid “cancer land” can become happiness tripwires that lift everyone up. Third, transparency—not protection—helps families face cancer together effectively.

Benjamin’s story demonstrates how cancer creates opportunities for deeper connection while maintaining normal life. His approach of calling his mom every single day (a practice that continues three years later) shows how small gestures create profound support systems.

This conversation offers hope for families separated by distance during treatment and proves that living your own life fully can be the greatest gift you give someone fighting cancer.