Jonathan Gardner
Jonathan Gardner is a 23 year old Ewing sarcoma survivor who happens to have autism. He was diagnosed at age 18 and received 14 cycles of chemotherapy and 31 radiation treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital. Before his diagnosis, Jonathan experienced diagnostic overshadowing when his physical pain was initially attributed to autism. That experience now drives his advocacy and his commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of disability or how they communicate, is heard, believed, and treated as a whole person.
Jonathan advocates for the sarcoma and disability communities in Massachusetts and nationally, sharing his story with healthcare professionals and lawmakers both across the state and on Capitol Hill. In 2026, he helped secure a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing July 24 as Sarcoma Awareness Day in Massachusetts. He hopes that sharing his story will help others feel heard, supported, and less alone. Jonathan also serves as an Ambassador for Operation House Call at The Arc of Massachusetts.
His advocacy reaches across many issues affecting the sarcoma and disability communities, including healthcare equity, Supported Decision-Making, self-determination, and human rights. Through his testimony, advocacy, and personal storytelling, he hopes that sharing his experiences will help others feel heard, supported, and less alone, while inspiring patients and families to continue finding hope, purpose, and joy even during life’s hardest moments.
