June 1 — National Cancer Survivors Day
Shahriar knew he had cancer before the doctor even called. He woke up in the middle of his colonoscopy and saw it — a tumor the size of an orange inside his colon.
“I was never called into the doctor’s office. Instead, the doctor called me to go over the report. I wish I had been asked to come in so they could deliver the news in person. Unfortunately, that’s not the protocol — they’re instructed to break the bad news and simply tell you to follow up with a surgeon and an oncologist.”
“I told the doctor that he was talking about the rest of my life, and yet he delivered the news in such a calm manner. The doctor replied, ‘It’s the life you have to lead.’ With determination in my voice, I responded: ‘If this is the life I have to live, then I’m going to make a chicken salad out of it — not chicken sht'”
Before His Diagnosis, Shahriar Worried About A Hundred Things. After? Only One: His Health.
“Cancer gave me a purpose in life and taught me that my three best assets are my Health, my Time, and my Mindset.”
He built what he calls his “A-team” — a circle of support that lifted him up instead of dragging him down.
He intentionally avoided two types of people: those who panicked at the thought of losing him, and those who filled his mind with negative stories about other patients.
His breakthrough came through comprehensive healing: two hours of morning meditation, breathwork, and yoga every day. Coaching. Western and holistic medicine. A commitment to growth that never stops.
“I am still evolving — it’s a never-ending journey. Every day, I learn something new.
That’s 365 lessons in a year. Growth never stops, and neither do I.”
INNER COMPASS CANCER FOUNDATION
Shahriar survived. But he realized something important: not everyone has what he had.
“I realized that not everyone is as fortunate as I am when it comes to family support and financial backing. I consider myself lucky to have had all the necessary tools at my disposal. Many people struggle to receive love, emotional support, and financial stability — things that can make all the difference in a journey like this.”
That’s why Inner Compass Cancer Foundation exists.
“I chose to push back against the negativity surrounding cancer. Yes, you can THRIVE after cancer — not just survive. Where there is a will, there is always a way.”
Why "Another" Cancer Nonprofit Matters
Today, there are over 18 million cancer survivors in the United States alone. The five-year survival rate has reached 68% — a testament to medical progress.
But survival is more than remission. It’s rebuilding a life that cancer tried to destroy.
- 80% of cancer patients face significant financial challenges during treatment
- 40% deplete their life savings within two years of diagnosis
- 1 in 4 experience depression, yet mental health support remains underfunded
Most cancer support stops at the hospital doors. We help fill the gaps — financial relief, psychotherapy, nutrition, meditation, breathwork, and coaching. We don’t just help patients survive. We help them thrive.
The vision of Inner Compass
“My goal is to lead each of them to Ultimate Health Island — a place where they become stronger, healthier, and more resilient than the disease itself.”
His message to anyone just starting their cancer journey?
“Live as if one day you’ll share your story with your children and grandchildren. What kind of story will you tell? We are the authors of our own story.”
💚 This Cancer Survivors Day, celebrate survival. Support transformation.
Inner Compass Cancer Foundation — because no journey is too tough when the path is shared.