John Falco memoir lands on Leukemia & Lymphoma Society reading list

John Falco’s memoir about rare cancer, treatment and recovery has been added to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Suggested Reading list. The recognition broadens the book’s reach for patients, survivors and caregivers looking for firsthand perspective on living through a sudden medical crisis.

Why it matters: - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Suggested Reading list now includes John Falco’s memoir, giving the book a wider audience among patients, survivors and caregivers. - The memoir centers on rare cancer, mental health, faith, companionship and purpose during a life-disrupting illness. - The book offers a patient’s view of care, recovery and the emotional strain felt by families and friends.

What happened: - John Falco’s memoir, Change of Plans: A Memoir of Rare Cancer, Resilience, and the Life That Followed, was added to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Suggested Reading list. - The book was published in January 2026. - Falco lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, and identifies as an author, cancer survivor, sales professional and high school soccer coach. - The memoir is available in paperback on Amazon.

The details: - Falco developed acute myeloid leukemia in his brain after chronic myeloid leukemia at age 29. - His treatment included proton therapy, repeated lumbar punctures with intrathecal chemotherapy, bone marrow biopsies and an allogeneic stem-cell transplant. - His cousin, Christien, made the transplant possible as a donor. - Falco spent 35 days in the hospital for the transplant. - He underwent treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added isolation to an already difficult experience. - The memoir was shaped by journaling Falco started during his hospital stay. - Falco’s appearance on The Bloodline with LLS podcast in 2022 helped inspire him to turn those reflections into a book.

Between the lines: - The memoir frames cancer as more than a medical event and focuses on how illness changes priorities. - Falco describes how ordinary interactions, like a conversation with a nurse or a shared laugh, could create moments of normalcy during isolation. - He also writes about how friends and family can help by staying present and keeping conversations grounded in everyday life. - His dog, Logan, becomes a symbol of routine, comfort and responsibility during recovery. - The book’s inclusion on the reading list signals interest in first-person accounts that combine treatment experience with emotional and practical insight.

What's next: - The book’s placement on the Suggested Reading list may help more readers discover Falco’s story through the leukemia and lymphoma community. - Falco continues to share his perspective on treatment, recovery and life after a major health crisis through his writing. - His memoir is positioned to reach both patients navigating similar diagnoses and supporters looking for a clearer view of what the experience feels like.

The bottom line: - Falco’s memoir has become part of a broader conversation about surviving cancer and rebuilding life with a different sense of purpose.