Nightbirde -- Jane Kristen Marczewski cancer journey

Category : Tell us your Story | Sub Category : Tell us your Story Posted on 2026-03-06 13:19:01

Jane’s first diagnosis came in 2017 when she was found to have breast cancer with a 4‑centimeter tumor. She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy as part of her treatment. Because there was no family history, it was a shock to her and to everyone who knew her. 

She was declared cancer‑free in July 2018, but the disease came back again in 2019. On New Year’s Eve of that year, doctors discovered that the cancer had returned and spread — not just in the breast, but to her lungs, liver, lymph nodes, ribs and spine. At that point she was told she had only a few months to live.

Her outlook and public fight

Even after metastatic spread, Jane didn’t disappear from life. Instead, she shared her story publicly with enormous authenticity and courage. She explained that she had what doctors called a 2% chance of survival — and instead of letting that defeat her, she treated it as something worth fighting for. 

That message came out most powerfully when she auditioned on America’s Got Talent in 2021 with her original song “It’s OK.” During that performance she openly talked about her cancer and her determination to still pursue music and joy despite her prognosis. She received a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell, which advanced her in the competition and brought her international attention.

She said things like: “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy,” a line that resonated with millions of people around the world. 

Later treatments and decline

Despite her strong spirit, her health continued to worsen. Her cancer was aggressive and continued spreading despite treatment. Eventually she had to withdraw from America’s Got Talent because her body was using all its energy just to stay alive. 

She shared updates on social media and with the media, continued writing music, poetry and expressing her faith during this period.

Her passing

Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski died from complications related to metastatic breast cancer on February 19, 2022, at the age of 31. She was surrounded by family at her home in San Clemente, California. 

Her story didn’t end there. After her death, her family created the Nightbirde Foundation to support women with breast cancer and released her music posthumously, including an album built around her journey and voice.

In her own words and impact

Nightbirde wasn’t just a name — she made it a symbol of finding light in deep darkness. She explained that the name came from dreams about birds singing in the night, something she saw as a metaphor for hope when things felt impossible. 

Her performance and story didn’t just move people emotionally — they made millions reflect on life, happiness, struggle and resilience. She became a voice not of denial but of embracing life while facing something terrifying.