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9 Tips to Help You Build a Better Advocacy Blog

November 23, 2020 in , /by

Do you blog about your illness? Many patients find blogging about their condition is not only therapeutic, but is also a great way to connect with others going through similar experiences.  A blog can also be a powerful advocacy tool – a way to raise awareness, build community and show commitment and passion for the […]

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Its Many Shades of Pink (and Blue)

October 21, 2020 in , /by

We are more than half-way through Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) – impossible to miss given the pink ribbon avalanche that arrives each Fall. While there is no denying that BCAM has played a significant role over the past two decades in raising public awareness of breast cancer, there is nevertheless growing criticism of its […]

Patient Empowerment Revisited: Part 2

October 5, 2020 in , /by

Welcome back to the second part of this discussion on patient empowerment. In Part 1 we looked at self-advocacy and the importance of having access to information which allows us to take a more active role in our care. We also looked at how a team-based, partnership approach to care – one in which the […]

Patient Empowerment Revisited: What Does It Truly Mean To Patients?

September 22, 2020 in , /by

Language is constantly evolving in our everyday lives. This is also true of the language we use to describe patienthood. The words we use color how we view our world and how the world perceives us as patients.  ‘Empowerment’ is one of those words frequently attached to patients.  The term is most often used to […]

Quotation Inspiration: 10 Quotes to Inspire, Motivate and Uplift Cancer Patients

July 24, 2020 in , /by

This month, I thought we could all do with a little quotation inspiration. When you’re dealing with cancer, some inspiring words can be just the thing to give you a daily lift. Note this is not the same as saying that “thinking positive” is the best way to deal with cancer. While for some, a […]

Music as Medicine: The Healing Power of Music

June 29, 2020 in , /by

The late neurologist, Oliver Sacks in his book “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” argued that music is essential to being human in ways that we’ve only begun to understand. Music stimulates the brain centers that register reward and pleasure, which is why listening to a favorite song can make you happy.  There is […]

How to Create a Month’s Worth of Posts for Your Advocacy Blog

May 28, 2020 in , /by

Are you looking for a way to boost your advocacy activities online? One of the best ways to do this is to create a blog.  Blogging shows your commitment and passion for your cause and because a blog is interactive, it’s also an extremely effective way to build a community and engage more people in […]

Patient Advocacy: 10 Ways To Create Share Worthy Content For Social Media

April 28, 2020 in , /by

 When you want to raise awareness of your cause, amplify your advocacy activities and create change where it is needed most, social media is an important channel to share your message with the world. But it’s not enough just to create content and push it out online. How you create, publish, and promote your content […]

Practicing Self Care In The Time of Coronavirus – How To Mind Your Mental Health And Well-Being During Covid-19

March 24, 2020 in , /by

As the coronavirus outbreak continues its relentless spread, the impact of the pandemic is being felt across the globe. We are facing a critical time of fear and uncertainty individually and in our communities. COVID-19 will affect us all to varying degrees –  physically, emotionally, socially and psychologically.   You may notice an increase in some […]

How Can You Best Support A Friend With Cancer?

February 26, 2020 in , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

What happens when someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer? How do you find the right words to say? What is the best way to support them? And how do you cope with your own emotions and feelings at the same time? In this month’s article, I am sharing advice that comes directly […]

Cancer Trauma: How To Know If You’re At Risk and Key Strategies for Recovery

January 24, 2020 in , /by

The impact of cancer extends beyond the merely physical. While treatment targets cancer specifically in the body, the experience doesn’t leave the mind, spirit or emotions untouched.  The toll it takes has been likened to a natural disaster or trauma. In fact, recent studies have put forward the theory that surviving cancer fits the framework […]

Understanding Clinical Trials: A Jargon Buster Guide

December 2, 2019 in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

When it comes to cancer treatment you or a loved one may be considering participating in a clinical trial as a treatment option.  Clinical trials are designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a treatment. They may involve researchers administering drugs, taking blood or tissue samples, or checking the progress of patients as they […]

Ten Things I Wish I Had Known When I was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

October 21, 2019 in , , , /by

As soon as the first golden leaves of autumn appear on the trees a feeling of sadness starts to descend over me. I’m catapulted back over the years to a late September day. A day that’s etched forever on my mind. The day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the weeks that followed my […]

Is Chemobrain Real? Coping With Cancer-Related Cognitive Changes

September 27, 2019 in , /by

A familiar name on the tip of your tongue, keys misplaced, a train of thought derailed in the middle of a sentence. If what I’ve just described sounds familiar, you may be experiencing symptoms of “chemobrain” – a name for the cognitive (how you process and recall information) difficulties associated with cancer treatment. Although one […]

Beating Burnout: Self-Care Strategies for Patient Advocates

August 23, 2019 in , /by

As patient advocates we are highly motivated to make things better for others. Our commitment and passion for the work we do can lead us to take on more activities with ever-increasing demands on our time and energy. All of this we do willingly, but this work doesn’t happen without a degree of personal cost. […]