“When you get dumped at thirty-six into Cancerland, all the plans you have for your life—big or small—get thwarted. In this beautifully written memoir, millennial feminist Kayla Calkin brings us along on her journey to make her treatments, her ills, her loves, and desire for children fit into her hopes for a ‘big life.’ A must-read to understand what happens to a modern young woman with breast cancer, and why it matters.”—Susan M. Reverby, Professor Emerita in the History of Ideas and Women’s and Gender Studies, Wellesley College

“Kayla’s adventurous journey on her Big Life is an inspiring ride full of wigs and lumps, reflection and courage. She weaves her cancer journey with deep humility and honesty, and we at First Descents are so glad that we played a part in her incredible adventure to help her reclaim her identity.”—Alex Accetta, CEO of First Descents

“Kayla tells this story with so much honesty, humor, and heart. Her experiences with pregnancy loss, IVF, cancer, and the fight to hold on to the future she imagined are deeply personal, but they also speak to something much bigger: Everyone deserves the freedom to make decisions about their body, their family, and their life. Her resilience and refusal to let the hardest moments define the size of her future are inspiring.”—Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All

“This deeply personal memoir follows Kayla’s fight to save her own life alongside her work at NRDC to help protect our planet. Her story is a powerful reminder that the toughest battles—whether personal or political—can feel overwhelming, but we can’t stop fighting. Progress isn't always easy or immediate, but it is possible. Kayla’s resilience, wit, and determination will inspire anyone who believes that hope and persistence can change lives.”—Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor, US EPA Administrator, and NRDC president