It’s hard to come by a person who hasn’t been personally affected by cancer. While cancer care has come a long way in the past decade through innovative research, technologies, and clinical trials, there is still more to be done. By implementing education and resource strategies on prevention, early detection, and treatment, we can save up to 3.7 million lives every year1.
CONQUER: the patient voice features articles written by and for patients with cancer, survivors, nurse navigators, and other oncology team members. On World Cancer Day, we are amplifying the voices of the CONQUER community and sharing their #IAmAndIWill statements.
“I AM a Ewing Sarcoma survivor, and I WILL continue to support the cancer community, letting them know that adversity happens to us all, and we are allowed to cry, be upset and be angry at the world, but there needs to be a time limit with living in this grief. Acknowledge those feelings and let them go when it is time. Holding on to emotions that bring you down does not deserve your attention. Take back control of your mind and focus on the things that bring you joy and accept the new version of yourself.”
– Brandi, Ewing Sarcoma Survivor & Patient Advocate
Read The 6 Elements I Attribute to My Survival by Brandi Benson
“I AM a leader in accelerating innovation in cancer treatment, and I WILL focus on scaling up the tremendous outpouring of energy that has been generated by the ‘hackathon’ to find the best treatment options for Bryce Olson, a well-known metastatic prostate cancer survivor.”
– Brad, Lymphoma Survivor & Founder, Reengineering Cancer Treatment
Watch CONQUER Cam: A Spotlight on Brad Power
“I AM a Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor, and I WILL empower others to embrace their authentic beauty and love themselves through the fight called cancer.”
– Mia, Patient Advocate & Founder, Warrior Expressions Foundation
Read First Love Yourself: Picking Up the Pieces by Mia Brister
“I AM a 40+-year oncology healthcare professional, and I WILL continue to promote and educate navigators on all the latest tools and technology to advance patient care throughout the field of navigation. Worldwide, navigation can ensure quality cancer care delivery, promote patient satisfaction, and effectively utilize resources to promote value-based care in each community.”
– Sharon, Program Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators
Browse From Your Navigator content from Sharon S. Gentry, RN, MSN, AOCN, CBCN, HON-ONN-CG
“I AM a 2-time cancer ‘endurer’ and the founder of Mend Together, and I WILL ensure patients with cancer receive the support they need during treatment. After my cancer diagnosis, I knew I needed support. Friends and family wanted to jump in, but I wasn’t sure what kind of help I needed (or was too shy to ask). That’s why I created Mend Together – to make it easier for patients to get help, and for friends and family learn what to say, do, and give.”
– Lisa, Cancer Survivor & Founder, Mend Together
Read Helping Others Care for You – An interview with Lisa Lefebvre
“I AM the author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer and an advocate for patient empowerment. In 2021, I WILL use my website, newsletter, and social media to post research and other information that will help cancer patients take charge of their own treatment and make the best decisions about their care.”
– Janet, Breast Cancer Survivor & Author
Watch CONQUER Cam: A Spotlight on Janet Maker
“I AM one of the many faces that breast cancer tried to mess with, but never succeeded. I WILL advocate for others with breast cancer, and I will continue working on my book to help someone in a similar battle to mine.”
– Melody, Breast Cancer Survivor
Read My Family’s Love is the Reason I Fight by Melody Buco Malong
Join CONQUER: the patient voice in celebrating World Cancer Day. We will continue to feature inspiring, touching, and relatable personal cancer stories and artwork created by patients as a form of healing and create a safe space for patients with cancer.
We encourage patients with cancer, cancer survivors, family members, caregivers, oncology navigators, oncologists, patient advocates, and other members of the cancer care team to share their personal stories and artwork so we can continue to support the cancer community.
- www.worldcancerday.org/why-cancer
