Entries by Marie Ennis-O'Connor

A Patient Advocate’s Guide to Medical Conferences

Has it ever struck you how some patient advocates seem well-connected, confident speaking at events, and informed about the newest healthcare research? One thing many of them have in common […]

The Future of Patient Advocacy: 5 Key Trends for 2025 and Beyond

As a patient advocate, your firsthand knowledge of navigating health challenges positions you as a valuable voice in improving patient care. By championing change, advocating for policies and practices that […]

The Price of Passion: Self-Care for the Online Advocate 

The start of a new year often brings fresh energy and a reinvigorated commitment to creating positive change in the world. For health advocates, this might mean harnessing the power […]

From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing: 21 Tips and Resources for Body, Mind, and Spirit

Last month, I quietly marked a significant milestone—20 years since my breast cancer diagnosis. It’s a strange thing, this “20-year cancerversary”. It feels like a lifetime ago, yet it still […]

Men Get Breast Cancer Too: The Forgotten Face of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There is a popular misconception that breast cancer is a disease that only affects women, but it can affect anyone, no matter what their gender. Rod Ritchie, a male breast […]

Giving Cancer Patients a Voice: The Role of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

The diagnosis and management of cancer profoundly impact every aspect of a patient’s quality of life. Yet, despite its importance, quality of life (QoL) is not always a focus in […]

The Potential of Generative AI to Power Patient Advocacy

Previously we looked at how generative AI tools can help patients cope with cancer.  In this article, we’ll discuss how you can leverage this technology to boost the impact of […]

AI Allies: How Artificial Intelligence Can Support Patients To Cope with Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be both physically and emotionally challenging. As cancer patients learn how to cope with the disease[1] and manage side effects[2], artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT […]

Empowering Patient Advocacy: A Guide to Launching Your Voice on Substack

If you spend any time online, you’ve probably heard of Substack, either through a newsletter subscription or from a favorite writer or blogger. But what exactly is Substack, and why […]

Empowering Patients: Bridging the Health Literacy Divide for Informed Decision-Making

Health literacy, as broadly defined by the World Health Organization,  involves the capacity of individuals to “gain access to, understand, and use information in ways which promote and maintain good […]

12 Ways To Become A Stronger Advocate: A Month-by-Month Guide to Achieving Your Advocacy Goals in 2024

As we begin a new year, now is an ideal time to review your advocacy goals and determine how to make a bigger impact in 2024. This article outlines 12 […]

Elevating Cancer Advocacy: 10 Strategies for Effective Information Dissemination

As patient advocates we not only want to educate and support cancer research and awareness, but we also want to inspire hope.  In this month’s article, I discuss 10 types […]

Demystifying Breast Cancer:

Separating Fact from Fiction During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place each October, is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness about breast cancer, […]

The Patient Advocate’s Guide to Social Media Content Planning

In our role as patient advocates, social media is an important tool that we use for sharing information, connecting with others, and amplifying our voices. Managing social media effectively can […]

Mastering Instagram for Patient Advocacy: 10 Tips for Success

Boasting more than two billion active users, Instagram provides an excellent platform for patient advocates to reach a wide audience and inspire change. Here are 10 tips to help you […]