Dash Tattoos

Andy Sealy passed away in 2024 of metastatic breast cancer. Andy was a vocal advocate for Medical Aid In Dying (MAID) in her home state of Pennsylvania. She had a dash tattoo on her arm, and even named her beloved dog, Dash.

The Live Your Dash poem has always been a favorite of mine. When I tragically lost my husband & best friend of 12 years, I knew the Live Your Dash had to be a part of my memorial tattoo project. This poem has always resonated with me, especially during this very difficult journey & it honors my husband & my grandmother who both were very close to me.

— Karie

My aunt reached out to you sometime earlier this year or late last year about my grandfather and how it impacted his life. Growing up he told me about always living the dash and how important it was. Me being a kid I didn't understand why it was so important. Ever since his passing in November I now not only spread the word of the dash like he did but also now have it tattooed on my arm in his handwriting. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you for not only giving my grandfather a wonderful word to spread but also something that made me want to carry on in his name.

— Josephina

David Cook won season seven of American Idol in 2008. He has sold over 2 million albums and raised over $1.5 million for brain cancer. Adam Cook, who is David's brother, battled brain cancer for over a decade before dying of the disease. This event inspired Cook to tattoo the last stanza on his left forearm, reminding him of his brother and the importance of "living your dash" — a testament to the depth and reach of the poem.