Should cancer decide whether or not you have children?
In 2009 I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer. I was told I would immediately need a radical hysterectomy and five weeks of radiation and four cycles of chemotherapy. While I was in the middle of complete shock, my oncologist advised I should think about preserving my eggs or embryos before surgery. If she hadn ’t mentioned this, I doubt it would have crossed my mind. I was in survival mode at that time. She sent me to a fertility doctor right away.I had just started a new relationship with Jason, who is now my husband. I felt awkward, worried and embarrassed about discussing fertility with him, but we had known e...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - August 10, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Guest Source Type: blogs
My First RAGBRAI: An Incredible Experience
I was told that RAGBRAI was hard to put into words, that it was just something you needed to experience in order to understand. I don’t think you can fully grasp the magnitude of 35,000 people riding 420 miles on their bikes across the state of Iowa for 7 days until you see it in person. This week was full of firsts for me… my first time sleeping in a tent, my first time in Iowa, my first RAGBRAI, and my first time with our extended Team LIVESTRONG family.This was the 10th year of Team LIVESTRONG participating in RAGBRAI and some members have been there from the start. RAGBRAI is the largest multi-day cycling...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - August 9, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Melissa Lewis Source Type: blogs
Your Support is Changing Lives
At LIVESTRONG, we focus on three important areas: serving individuals, building communities and changing systems. Throughout the month of August we will be sharing real stories from people who have been helped in these areas by LIVESTRONG.You ’ll hear fromWendy, who faced a cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment that would mean she might lose her ability to have children.You ’ll hear fromMichelle, a young mom of two, whose treatment for breast cancer meant she lost her energy and physical strength to do everyday tasks.And you ’ll hear fromScott, a testicular cancer survivor and caregiver who is now using his experie...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - August 3, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Greg Lee, President Source Type: blogs
Greg Smith: Ninja Warrior / Cancer Warrior
You might recognize Greg Smith fromNBC ’s American Ninja Warrior. It turns out he is also a cancer warrior! We caught up with Greg to hear his story.A photo posted by Greg Smith (@scarred_ninja) onMay 27, 2016 at 9:13am PDTLS: Great to catch up with you Greg. Can you tell us a little about your cancer story?Greg: I was diagnosed with stage 2a testicular cancer at the age of 21. When I was going through my battle my parents and I got theLIVESTRONG Guidebook, Planner, and Journal. They were super helpful. It so much useful information for what I was about to go through and definitely prepared me for the road ahead of me....
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - August 3, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Giving Time. Making a Difference.
Our supporter of the month initiative is an opportunity to thank the special people who have shown incredible commitment to LIVESTRONG. It also serves as a chance to introduce LIVESTRONG staff, interns, clients and community to the powerful stories behind some of our biggest supporters.August Supporter of the Month: Lois BanningLois is one of LIVESTRONG’s hardest workingvolunteers. She has been with us since 2009 and her work continues to improve the lives of those we serve. Lois was first introduced to LIVESTRONG through the work of her daughter-in-law, Helen Knost, the Foundation ’s Director of Donor Relations.LS: H...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 31, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Reflecting on 10 Years
< p > Ten years ago today, I started working for a growing non-profit in Austin, Texas. That non-profit was focusing on cancer patients and survivors, while refining its mission, streamlining back-office operations, expanding its donor reach and envisioning and planning its trajectory into the future. < /p > < table style="width: 100%; max-width: 100%;" > < tbody > < tr > < td > < table style="width: 450px; margin: 0 auto 0px;" > < tbody > < tr > < td > < img class="aligncenter wp-image-36024" src="http://blog.livestrong.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Greg-Building-Opening-450x339.jpg" alt="Greg 2009" width="450" height="3...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Greg Lee, President Source Type: blogs
Top 5 Reasons to Go Over the Edge with Team LIVESTRONG
< p > On September 10, 2016 < a href="https://www.teamlivestrong.org/events/over-the-edge-atlanta/" > Team LIVE < strong > STRONG < /strong > is partnering with Over the Edge < /a > for an all new event experience in Atlanta, Georgia! Participants will rappel down the side of Buckhead Tower all while raising vital funds to support LIVE < strong > STRONG < /strong > ’s free programs and services. Sound like a challenge you are up to? Here are five great reasons to get you < a href="https://www.teamlivestrong.org/events/over-the-edge-atlanta/" > signed up < /a > : < /p > < p > < strong > 1. You ’ll have a story unlike ...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 24, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mike Threadgould (LIVESTRONG Staff) Source Type: blogs
Jack Kicks Cancer: 10 Years Strong
Ten years ago Jack Blake was inspired to start a nonprofit called Jack Kicks Cancer to honor of his father, and to make a larger impact in the fight against cancer. Having just celebrated their 10th anniversary soccer tournament fundraising event, we caught up with Jack to hear more of his story and what continues to drive him forward.
LS: How have you been affected by cancer?
Jack: When I was a freshman in high school, my father Jack Blake Jr. was diagnosed with an undetermined form of cancer and passed away within 6 months. Following that, in 2004 I was diagnosed with an early stage of testicular cancer ...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Team LIVESTRONG Spotlight: Cyclists Combating Cancer
We’re highlighting some of the amazing individuals and teams that have made our events so special, and who do incredible work fundraising to support LIVESTRONG’s cancer programs and services.
Team Name: Cyclists Combating Cancer
Team Captain: Steve Bartolucci
Co-Captain: Will Swetnam
LS: Tell us about your Team? What inspired the name? Do you have a team motto?
Cyclists Combating Cancer was founded by Damon Phinney in August of 1998. Damon’s idea was to develop an email community to connect those in treatment or beyond who had an interest in recovery and fitness through bicycling. He had found bicycli...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 13, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Team LIVESTRONG Spotlight: Team BlaineRidesOn
We’re highlighting some of the amazing individuals and teams that have made our events so special, and who do incredible work fundraising to support LIVESTRONG’s cancer programs and services.
Team Name: Team BlaineRidesOn
Team Captain: Blaine Mauldin
LS: How have you been affected by cancer?
BM: I am a cancer survivor. Diagnosed in the fall of 2006 and have been cancer free since early 2007. I ordered the LIVESTRONG handbook shortly after diagnosis and used it throughout my personal experience with cancer.
LS: Tell us about your Team? What inspired the name? Do you have a team motto?
BM: Our Team Mission...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 7, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mike Threadgould (LIVESTRONG Staff) Source Type: blogs
Top 5 Reasons to Get Muddy with Team LIVESTRONG
Heard about Tough Mudder events but not sure whether they are for you? Here are five great reasons to get muddy with Team LIVESTRONG:
1. You’ll have an awesome story to tell
There will be no greater Monday for you at work than the Monday after a Tough Mudder. When your coworkers ask you, “what did you do this weekend?” you’ll have telling tales of hurdling obstacles, running up walls, climbing human pyramids, jumping into a tank of ice cold water, and mud … you’ll have lots of stories about the mud. You might even have a few pictures too (in case they don’t believe you). And you may inspire you...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - July 4, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mike Threadgould (LIVESTRONG Staff) Source Type: blogs
Making Our Mission Possible: CJ Walsh
Our supporter of the month initiative is an opportunity to thank the special people who have shown incredible commitment to LIVESTRONG. It also serves as a chance to introduce LIVESTRONG staff, interns, clients and community to the powerful stories behind some of our biggest supporters.
July Supporter of the Month: CJ Walsh
Background: CJ is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CJ got involved with LIVESTRONG when he started Team I Hate Cancer with his brother, Michael Walsh, to honor friends and family members they lost to cancer. Since, they’ve grown their involvement with LIVESTRONG because of the incredibl...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 30, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
LIVESTRONG Leaders Headed to Austin
This weekend, 98 LIVESTRONG Leaders from 30 states and 16 countries will converge in Austin to talk about how to support cancer survivors in their home towns. The LIVESTRONG Leaders Program engages volunteers across the globe in support of our mission to improve the lives of people affected by cancer now. This yearly advocate training is a unique opportunity and allows dedicated individuals to deepen their understanding of LIVESTRONG’s efforts and meet other survivorship advocates from all over the world.
We asked LIVESTRONG Leaders what they are most looking forward to during the Leader meeting and why they have made a ...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 23, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Reimagine Survivorship
From 2010-2015, LIVESTRONG’s Community Impact Project (CIP) invested nearly $4 million to replicate 12 proven, outcomes-based cancer survivorship programs in nearly 600 communities across the country. One of those programs, Pillars 4 Life (now known as Reimagine.me) is now available to even more cancer survivors through their new online platform. Founder Kristin MacDermott, shares information below on how survivors can use this program to navigate the roller-coaster of emotions after treatment.
“I thought I’d be happy when I made it through my treatment – like I could resume my normal life and be myself again. No o...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 20, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Survivor Advocate Program Shapes Future Research
The 8th Biennial on Cancer Survivorship Research took place last week and I can’t think of a more meaningful or impactful way for us to have kicked off this meeting than by convening a group of engaged survivor advocates! This is just what LIVESTRONG accomplished, in partnership and collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control.
Earlier this year survivor advocates from across the country applied to the Survivor Advocate program, held in concert with the Biennial. The response was overwhelming and after a rigorous review of almost 150 applications, 15 in...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
