More Than Ink: 14 Caregivers and Family Members Share Their Tattoo Stories

Tattoos can be powerful expressions of love, grief, and resilience — reminders of the people and moments that have shaped us. For caregivers and family members of people with brain tumors, these tattoos often carry stories that words alone can’t capture. 

Last year, we shared stories about survivor tattoos, and in this post, we’re highlighting 14 stories from brain tumor community members about their ink. Read on to hear, in their own words, how each tattoo is a tribute to the strength, memory, and enduring connection they hold with someone impacted by a brain tumor.

Mia A. in Immokalee, FL

My dad was 48 years old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in August 2022. He was my best friend and the best dad ever. He always had a “keep going” mentality that my brother and I always looked up to. 

Throughout his cancer fight, he would tell me that it’ll be OK and to just keep swimming. Keep going. No matter what, keep going. When he passed away, this simple little quote kept me going. So from now on, I’ll keep “swimming” for him. I miss him every day, but I know he’d be proud of my brother and me for continuing to live our lives. 

The tattoo draws on a small note from the last birthday card I ever received from him. At that moment in time, he could barely hold a pencil — let alone write out complex sentences. I wanted the tattoo to look exactly like his handwriting and his spelling (even though he spelled swimming with one ‘m’). 

I got this tattoo done a day before my dad’s celebration of life back in January 2023. I love looking at my tattoo because I know that my Dad meant every word when he wrote it… Our last name is Alfaro, and one of our family sayings is “Alfaros never quit.” His Dory quote from “Finding Nemo” resonates so much with our never-quit mentality. It always reminds me to keep going.

Tip: I’d say to get something that you love. Whether it’s you fighting this battle or a loved one, get something that reminds you to keep going.

Patrick A. in Dallas, TX

My now-wife and I had been dating for a little over 3 years when she was diagnosed with astrocytoma in March of 2021. Earlier in the year, I had plans to propose in the fall, but the shock of the diagnosis left us unsure about so many aspects of our lives, including the life we were envisioning for us. However, despite the diagnosis and fear of the unknown, my love for her never wavered during this storm of uncertainty. 

Stephanie has helped me get through difficulties in life, and together we will help each other weather this storm. My tattoo is of a Nordic symbol, called “vesvigir,” which imbues the wearer to navigate their way through rough seas and difficult situations. It’s highly visible to me, so I am reminded of its presence and meaning, which helps me to put a lot of problems I face on a regular basis in perspective.

Tip: Do plenty of research on social media to find a tattoo artist whose style resonates with you. Think of a design and either write about it, draw it, or pull reference images from online resources. Then think about it again a week later, would you change anything about it? Wait one more week. Has anything changed about your design? Talk to your artist about your initial design and how it changed, so they can also understand you better to give you a more impactful tattoo.

Brandi C. in Salem, OR

My daughter was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma in 2009 at 8 years old. She underwent a full craniotomy within seven days of diagnosis. She is now 23 and thriving in life thanks to the wonderful surgeons and medical staff along the way.

My tattoo is the gray brain tumor ribbon with my daughter’s signature of her name and her surgery date. My mother also got a matching copy in her honor. It reminds us every day just how lucky we are to have her in our lives.

Tip: Remember, tattoos are forever, so choose wisely and don’t make any rash decisions based on emotions.

Allison D. and Rhianon S. in Danbury, CT

In August 2023, our family member Danielle was diagnosed with glioblastoma. In response to this devastating news, friends and family rallied around her, offering their unwavering support. During this challenging time, she discovered a powerful outlet in getting tattoos and ultimately got 25 tattoos before she passed in May 2025. 

Inspired by her newfound passion, a group of her closest friends and family decided to join her in this journey. Together, we all got elephant tattoos in her honor. The inspiration for the elephant came from a quote that symbolizes the sisterhood, strength, and fierce love we share for Danielle.

“In the wild, female elephants are known as fierce protectors. And when one of their sisters is suffering, they circle up around her. They close in tight, watch guard, and even kick dust around her to mask her vulnerable scent from predators. And yet, we are the same. This is who we are, and who we are meant to be for each other. Sometimes we’re the ones in the middle. Sometimes we’re the ones kicking up dust with fierce, fierce love. But the circle remains.”

Each person chose their own unique elephant design and placement, reflecting their personal preferences. Erica incorporated flowers into her design to represent her sister and her nieces, and added a personal touch with Danielle’s handwriting next to the elephant. Allison chose a simple outline of an elephant and placed it where she would see it every day. Rhiannon included the words “fierce” and “love” from the quote and added a cancer ribbon to the elephant’s trunk. 

Allison’s Tip: Choose a tattoo that holds meaning and serves as a reminder of happiness, strength, or whatever you need to help you get through challenging times.

Rhiannon’s Tip: Do it! We have zero regrets, and we have all been on a big tattoo kick these days, as it has been our therapy and our way of expressing ourselves and our pain.

Alyssa F. in Troy, NY

My little brother, Evan, was 14 years old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in May 2019. After being admitted to the hospital with a brain tumor, they were able to remove most of it during surgery the following morning. I remember when I first saw him after his surgery, I was terrified, a state no one should have to see a loved one in. Luckily, he began improving and was allowed visitors in the PICU. 

He had lost the function of his dominant arm but continued to greet all of his visitors with a fist bump of the other hand. I was so impressed by that and felt it was the first of many examples of the strength he demonstrated during this challenging experience. He relearned to walk, talk, and even played baseball again. He continued treatment throughout the pandemic and had the opportunity to try a trial drug as well. 

He eventually had a recurrence in November 2022 and passed away in the hospital on January 23, 2023. While we all hoped he would’ve had more time — or, ideally, not have had to go through this at all — the positive impact he made on the world during that time and still today will always make me proud.

I first got the fist bump tattooed in June 2019 after he was diagnosed. It represents his strength and caring for others before himself. I later added the script in February 2023 after his passing. The script is his handwriting from a card he gave me.

Tip: Make sure you get a tattoo that is meaningful to you. Just beware that they can spark conversation, so if you feel as though you are not in a place to talk about the journey, especially with strangers, you may want to choose a more discreet placement.

Natalie K. in Fairfield, CA

I lost my mom to glioblastoma in December 2022. She lived several years of her childhood and many summers in Hawaii, her favorite place on earth. She brought so many warm, tropical elements to our home growing up. Every time I saw palm trees or hibiscus flowers, I would think of her. After she passed, it only felt right to get a beautiful coral hibiscus — one of her favorite colors — tattooed on my arm to remind me of her every day. It is still such a beautiful reminder of where my mom came from.

Tip: Don’t get a tattoo on an empty stomach! Eat beforehand, bring snacks and water if you need to, and don’t be afraid to tell the artist if and when you need a break. I wish I had known ahead of time that it’s totally fine to bring headphones for podcasts or music, since these can be long appointments!

Art K. in Youngsville, NC

I was inspired to get this tattoo so that I had something to look at that spoke to the spirit of our love for each other.  

This tattoo is to honor my late wife, Flora. She passed on February 20, 2017, due to a glioblastoma. She was Italian, and her name on her birth certificate was Fiore, a literal translation of “flower.” The words preceding her name, “Per sempere innamorato,” mean forever in love. This was fitting for two reasons. First, Flora was the love of my life, whom I was fortunate to have spent 28 amazing years with, ending with my being her sole caregiver for her last 15.5 months — the most important job I ever had. Second, “Forever in Love” by Kenny G. was our song.

I toyed around with a few designs and thought that this straight line best expressed the straight line from my heart to hers that we found… literally on the first day we met in a bank lobby in Spring Hill, FL. I want anyone I come in contact with to see Flora’s name and ask for a translation.

Tip: Make it mean something to you first, and maybe something that is a conversation starter, so that you can share your story of you or your loved one’s journey in dealing with a brain tumor.

Robyn L. in Baltimore, MD

I got this tattoo on May 24, 2019, almost eight months after my mom died from glioblastoma. She survived 10.5 months from diagnosis, only being taken by the cancer on October 1, 2018, just two days before her 72nd birthday.

I worked with the tattoo artist to create a personal design to remember my mom:

The heart for love.

The grey ribbon for brain cancer awareness.

The sprig of rosemary for her name.

After deciding I wanted the rosemary as part of the design, I realized rosemary is also a symbol of remembrance. It’s on my ankle, and as I live in the tropics, I never wear long pants, so it’s always visible. I can see it, which was important to me. I like having a visual reminder of my mom as I go about my day. I got it six years ago, and it has been a perfect symbol of my love for my mom.

Tip: This is not my first tattoo, but it was my first custom design. I suggest making an appointment with your artist to discuss what you want and have them send their drawings. Don’t be afraid to give feedback — you will have to live with the art forever! And good tattoo artists want clients to be happy with their work. I also chose a studio that was well respected and the only one in my area where the blood bank allowed me to donate six months out from my tattoo. Donating blood regularly is important to me, and I wanted to make sure this wouldn’t sideline me for longer than necessary.

Kate M. in Oklahoma City, OK 

In 2018, at the age of 35, my younger brother was diagnosed with H3K27 diffuse midline glioma. The toque I have tattooed, along with my brother’s name in his handwriting, was my husband’s and was rediscovered as he was going through his things at the end of his life. He had kept it (and worn it frequently!) for so long, he had actually forgotten who it originally belonged to. When he pulled it from a cabinet and said, “Kate, here’s your hat back!” My husband screamed from the other side of the room, “OMG, that’s MY hat!”. And we all burst into laughter. It was a silly and simple thing, but so precious. The hat was goofy and cute, and will always, always remind me of him.

We lost my mother-in-law in 2005 to glioblastoma. When my brother was diagnosed, it felt like the worst type of gut punch. Again?! How is this happening to our family again?! I am an APRN and have always worked in neurosciences. When I began my current role as an APRN in a cranial neurosurgical practice, I knew I had a responsibility to bring my experience as a caregiver and family member to the way I approach the care of our patients and families. 

The day my brother had surgery, I went to our neuro ICU and found myself sobbing into the shoulder of a close friend and colleague. I was overwhelmed with grief and knowing. I told her I felt completely hopeless, that there was nothing I could do. She grabbed me by the shoulders, nearly shook me, and in no uncertain terms told me that I could and would always be there to walk this path with him. And perhaps that was the most important thing I could do. We can ALWAYS do our best to show up for our people. Even when things are hard. When I see this tattoo, I’m reminded of that.

Tip: Just do it. Choose the thing that speaks to you. It doesn’t have to be a brain, a ribbon, or any one thing. If it holds meaning, if it makes you laugh, if it helps inspire you, or just keeps a memory close — then it’s the right thing.

Lindsay M. in Morrison, CO

I got this tattoo shortly after my brother, Erik, was diagnosed with glioblastoma as a way to honor him and his journey.  It tells a story about him and the things he loved most about life. 

Starting from the bottom: we were both raised on Cape Cod, MA, where my brother’s love of the ocean began. After high school, my brother went to the University of Maine at Orono and studied forestry because he also had a strong love for the woods. He settled in Maine and was a forester and professional logger, which is represented by the pine trees that are a staple in the Maine woods. 

After college, Erik also joined the forest service and began fighting wildfires out west, where he developed another passion — a love for the mountain west. Erik was a Bitterroot Hotshot [an elite wildfire firefighting crew] for many years and looked forward to his summers in western Montana all winter long. That is represented by the mountains and the wide fire burning at the top of the tattoo. The lupine flowers were something Erik and I laughed about because he loved the spring in Maine when the lupine exploded into bloom, but he could never get them to grow at his house, no matter how hard he tried.

I got this done in July 2019, two months after he was diagnosed. I chose this location so I could always see it and hold it across my heart when I think of him. Its meaning has certainly evolved since he was alive when I got it, but he passed in October 2020. I look at it every day and think of him and all the things he loved and contributed to making the earth a better place.

Tip: Only you know what is truly meaningful about your experience with brain tumors. Don’t try to search for ideas on the internet — those are other people’s meaningful ideas — you need to find your own to truly honor what you are going through. Find a real tattoo artist that you can share a vision with so that they can turn it into art. A really great artist can do that for you. Come up with words, colors, and feelings to describe the person or experience, and meet with someone for a consultation to see what ideas they have for turning those things into a piece. Getting a tattoo can also be an emotional experience, so find someone you connect with and feel comfortable with.

Sarah O. in Hewitt, TX 

My father passed away on April 8, 2021, from glioblastoma. On the one-year anniversary of his passing, I got this tattoo: the airplane he flew in the Air Force for almost 20 years — a C-141. My tattoo artist and I went through the design. I originally wanted clouds and a blue sky behind it, but the simplicity is better. It’s also the last thing my Dad was able to write before the tumor made it impossible, which means the world to me.

He is with me every day, just as I was with him every day as the cancer ravaged his beautiful, brilliant brain. I was there as he took his last breath and was finally out of pain. Now I can look at my arm and feel a warm hug from him just when I need it.

I placed it on my left forearm, closest to my heart, and where I can see it every day. It’s been three years since I got the tattoo, and it means more to me today than it did originally. It has given me strength when I’ve needed it and reminds me that my Dad is there, telling me to keep going.

Tip: Don’t let anyone else’s opinion sway you. I always knew I would get a tattoo in memory of my dad, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted it to be until I saw a picture of his plane, and then I just KNEW that is what it would be.

Emily R. in Breinigsville, PA

My mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2007 during my senior year of high school. Sadly, she passed away about 1½ years later, when I was 19 years old. My mom was such a wonderful person, not just an amazing mom. I learned so much from her, but it crushed me to lose her so early in my life. 

I always knew I wanted to get a tattoo for her, but I was nervous since it would be my first one. I finally took the leap in 2017 and got a gray ribbon in honor of her. It’s a constant reminder that she is still with me and that everything I do is to try to make her proud. I just wanted something simple and small; since this was my first tattoo, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain, so I wanted to make sure I picked something that wouldn’t take too long. But now I’d love to add to it!

When I played sports in high school, we always put our left hands in for our huddles because “they’re closer to your heart.” So I wanted the tattoo on my left side. I also wanted to put it somewhere I could see every day, so I could look at it and think of my mom whenever I want. I love having that little reminder of her with me.

Tip: I loved how my tattoo artist used a line of just water before using any ink to see if I could handle the process. I thought that was such a kind thing to do, especially to a tattoo newbie. I don’t know if this is common, but I thought it was so kind and thoughtful. I would also make sure you are 100% ready and happy with your design. If something doesn’t look right, fix it!

Britten R. in Dumfries, VA

My father died on August 7, 2023, after a 30-day struggle with brain cancer.

My siblings, mother, and I each got this crown tattoo on our left index fingers in memory of Dad. He was actually missing that finger at the knuckle, from a childhood accident, and he was born and raised in England before emigrating to America in 1969.

He sent my sister and me matching bracelets about a year before his unexpected death, which had this little crown engraved on the inside of the bracelets along with the words, “Whenever you feel overwhelmed, straighten your crown and remember whose daughter you are.” I haven’t taken the bracelet off since the morning when he died.

Because Dad had been missing his left index finger at the knuckle since his boyhood, it seemed like the most appropriate place for this tattoo. His missing finger was part of who he was, and part of a larger “family curse.” His older brother lost part of the same finger years later, my brother nearly lost the same finger fighting in Iraq, and I nearly lost mine in shop class in middle school.

I got the tattoo about a month after Dad’s death. I worried that having it in such a visible spot might be triggering, but in addition to being a tribute to his memory (and his missing finger), it gives me comfort. I find that when I have difficult choices to make, I study it and think of what Dad would do in the same situation. He continues to be my moral compass, even though he is no longer with us. And it reminds me of the bravery with which he faced his terminal diagnosis and the dignity he kept, even in his final days.

Tip: Be sure of what you want, but also don’t overthink it. You will know when something feels like the right image. Don’t rush your choice, and bring a loved one with you for support, because there’s no way to predict how you will feel after the tattoo is completed.

Lexi S. in Rockville, MD

My grandmother — my biggest supporter through all aspects of life — passed away from glioblastoma in January 2022. 

For the past few years, I had known I wanted a tattoo, but I could never decide what I wanted to get. Her signature seemed like the perfect way to honor her memory and make sure she is with me through all of life’s biggest moments. I had my tattoo artist copy from a birthday card my grandmother gave me in 2021, one month before she was diagnosed with glioblastoma.

I chose my wrist for this tattoo as it is in a place that I can see it at all times, and others can see if they pay enough attention. This way, this tattoo is especially for me, but is still open for others to ask questions.

Tip: I would say make sure you are sure. While this tattoo means more than anything to me and I love it more than anything, it was definitely a little hard to come to terms with this now being on my body forever.

Other Helpful Tips

• Jody K. in Phoenix, AZ: “I asked for a reference [for the tattoo artist], and I was able to see pics of what she had already done.”
• Kate B. in Louisville, KY: “Draw up your tattoo in different sizes and put a temporary tattoo on first, so that you are certain of the spot that you want it. That way, you have no hesitation about it.”

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