“Are these cancer cells, like, hiking through my body, setting up campsites, pitching tents, and roasting s'mores around a fire?” Amanda’s mother, Terry, asked her soon after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in January 2022. Cancer had been detected in her brain, hip, thigh, and adrenal gland. “Wouldn’t that be a funny sketch?” She brought it up repeatedly until I asked if she wanted to write something together—not just a sketch, but a one-act play, and not just about the cancer cells but about the absurdity of dealing with the American medical system, which had caused her so much grief on top of the difficult diagnosis. And so, Quacks & Whacks: A Cancer Comedy was born.

Quacks & Whacks is inspired by Terry’s experiences, which include:

1) Being diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer (tumors in her lung, brain, hip, thigh and adrenal gland) five years after a lung biopsy came back negative

2) Surviving two major surgeries (hip/femur replacement to remove a tumor and prevent bone fractures and brain surgery to remove a tumor)

3) Multiple courses of radiation on her lung, brain, hip, femur, and adrenal gland

4) Being a genetic match for a very expensive targeted chemotherapy tablet that she has been able to obtain through a combination of funding and Medicare’s out-of-pocket payment caps

5) The frustrations and absurdity of navigating the U.S. Healthcare System while dealing with all of the above

Terry and Amanda created this show as a way to build community among people impacted by serious illness and to galvanizes audiences to advocate for a improved patient care. They are thrilled to have been able to collaborate with the talented and dedicated team of artists who brought this production to life at NYC Fringe in April 2025. 

Terry passed away January 10, 2026 after a four-year hard fought battle. This show is part of her legacy.

ABOUT QUACKS & WHACKS: A cancer comedy

The script was a finalist for the David A. Einhorn Playwriting Prize. Here are some things that have been said about it:

“Dark and entertaining on a taboo topic, relatable moments for any cancer or chronically ill patient. Perhaps although meant tongue in cheek more of this will help one day bring awareness to the areas the medical world could use some restoration.” -Amber, Cancer Survivor

“Loved it! It was very visual and injected humor into such a frightening, frustrating and isolating word and experience. I loved visualizing the cells individually rather than collectively- (such as my sister calling it “that Cancer bitch” ). Much more descriptive and the idea of them happily taking up residence in various part of her body as she struggled to navigate the healthcare system was something that would be relatable to those who have had the disease- and perhaps bring some clarity and understanding to those who have not.” -Kim, Cancer Survivor

“Very rich satire.  It really got me thinking about how many things can be improved in this nutty medical system of ours.” -Dr. Arash Asher, Cedars Sinai Hospital