On April 28, 2026, Matthew Zachary returned to the stage at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City for his first public solo piano performance in nearly 22 years.
The evening marked 30 years since his brain cancer diagnosis at age 21 and celebrated the launch of his new book, We the Patients: Understanding, Navigating, and Surviving America’s Healthcare Nightmare.
MZ Live at Merkin Hall brought together patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, clinicians, media leaders, and healthcare voices for a live evening of music, storytelling, spoken word, and conversation about what survivorship actually looks like over time.
The production was captured live in real time without a formal film crew. The visuals are imperfect. The stories are real.
Featured voices include:
Wendell Potter
Maimah Karmo
Shelley Fuld Nasso
Craig Lustig
Barb Collura
Tamika Felder
Karen DeMaro
Alison Silberman
Kenny Kane
Jen Singer
and others from across the cancer advocacy and healthcare community.
Learn more:
https://mzlive.org
Order the book:
https://wethepatientsbook.com
Follow Matthew Zachary:
https://www.matthewzachary.com
Chapter Markers
00:00 Opening Introduction
01:40 Opening Performance
07:18 Welcome Remarks
10:20 Wendell Potter Introduction
10:50 Wendell Potter Keynote
17:42 Matthew Zachary Remarks
26:51 We the Survivors Readings
40:49 We the Advocates
54:49 Matthew Zachary Piano and Reflections
1:11:58 We the Revolution
1:24:44 Maimah Karmo Tribute
1:30:33 Wendell Potter Conversation
1:39:22 Closing Performance
1:47:09 Final Applause
