Today is a special day. Today we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day and the more than 15.5 million cancer survivors in the United States, more than 32 million worldwide. Today is also celebrated as LIVESTRONG Day, a day to honor and celebrate cancer survivors, caregivers, families, friends and those who are no longer with us
You’ve probably seen a lot of people recently posting on social media about gratitude and giving thanks. Many of my friends do a gratitude countdown to Thanksgiving in November. I love reading these, as I’m a big believer in expressing thanks and gratitude. To people, as it means much to hear kind words. To yourself,
It was another inspiring, motivating trip to Washington, DC to advocate for improved cancer care and prevention programs. Last week I journeyed to our nation’s capitol with almost 500 cancer advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. We were there for advocacy training and to meet with our Senators and Representatives to improve
I’m sorry that I’ve been a little quiet on the blog lately. I’ve been recovering from unexpected surgery to my leg. Many of you know that I’m a bone cancer survivor. Along with aggressive rounds of chemo, I underwent a limb salvage surgery (thankfully) that removed and replaced most of my femur, knee and upper
From the moment I was diagnosed with bone cancer at 21, cancer advocacy has been a driving force in my life. Cancer is the one thing I think about every day, spurring a range of emotions, sometimes multiple at once (that makes for interesting moments). I have been a cancer survivor for almost longer than
Fourteen years ago, my dad died from multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood. He was in his mid-50s. The ache of missing him never leaves, the tiny hole in my heart still empty. I miss everything that is him, even the faults. And for the longest time, I felt responsible for his death.
In a few short weeks, I will recognize (and celebrate) the anniversary of the end of my treatment from bone cancer. Twenty years since I walked out of the hospital, bald, skinny, nervous of what the future held for a young adult cancer survivor, and incredibly hopeful and excited for a new chapter and chance
A fellow cancer survivor friend recently completed her treatment protocol (yea!) and asked me how to face life after cancer. This started a conversation about the “new normal” after cancer. It generated a swirl of questions and thoughts for me on navigating this journey. Being diagnosed at 21 years old significantly changed my life, and
When I started treatment for a bone cancer diagnosis at the end of my senior year in college, I was grateful to meet other cancer patients who shared their experiences, tips and lessons. While nothing can completely prepare you for the wild ride called cancer, it helped to have some knowledge to lean on, and
Some people may read my headline and think of course I would advocate for cancer survivors because I am a cancer survivor. That’s not the entire reason why I advocate for people facing cancer, including caregivers, family members, friends and others. I don’t advocate because I feel obligated as a cancer survivor, I do it
