Founded from lived experience
Cues for Cancer was founded by Darrell Wood, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at just eighteen years old. That experience revealed a gap: patients and families needed more than clinical care — they needed community, creativity, and a sense of identity beyond diagnosis. Cues for Cancer was built to fill that gap, starting in the theatre community and growing into a nationwide network of support.
The spark behind our name
The idea of a cue came from Darrell's friend Amanda, a lighting designer and technician. While he was going through treatment, she struggled with what to say or how to help him through such a hard time. So she had an idea: she posted on social media, asking theatre communities everywhere to name a light cue or a sound cue after him — using #CuesForDarrell — as a small way to show him love and support.
Theatres across the country answered the call. And it was from that single post that the spark was ignited for Cues for Cancer to exist in the first place — the idea that a light left on, a cue called in someone's name, could carry real support to a person fighting cancer.
"Name a cue after Darrell."
#CuesForDarrell — the hashtag that started it all.