Reflecting on Father’s Day and Fertility
My dad taught me a lot. Because of him, I’m a passionate sports fan. I was wrapped in a Cubs blanket when I was born – remnants of his hometown of Chicago traveled with him to my birthplace in Austin. Baseball, football, basketball, golf, soccer… he introduced me to all of those and more. But above all, he taught me to be competitive.
I owe a lot to my dad. Yes, he may have instilled a deep love for heartbreaking teams like the Chicago Cubs and Bears, but also the legacies of coaches like Vince Lombardi and Jimmy V. He positively reinforced my athletic endeavors. It was never “don’t strike out” but always ...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 16, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
RSVP for Accessing Disability Benefits Webinar
Our partner, the Patient Advocate Foundation, is hosting an important webinar this Thursday, June 16th from 12-1 PM EST explaining how to access disability benefits and discuss how disability status impacts eligibility for other services. RSVP here to participate in the “Accessing Disability Benefits” webinar.
This session will focus primarily on social security disability benefits with a brief overview of private disability programs.
Specific topics will include:
understanding eligibility guidelines
navigating the application process
overcoming denials and
understanding the disability timeline.
We invite ...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 13, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Partnering to Help Survivors Address Financial Hardships
Cancer care has come a long way in recent years, with breakthroughs and advancements in areas such surgery, radiology, symptom management, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, in many cases, these advancements have also increased the cost and complexity of care. For example, patients are now paying higher insurance premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments. The rise in care costs has created a new side effect for cancer patients– financial toxicity(1). This term refers to the negative impact the cost of cancer care can have on the patient’s financial circumstances such as their ability to pay for medical b...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 9, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Guest Source Type: blogs
Sharon’s LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Story
In April 2015, I experienced some tenderness in my breast while lying in bed on my side. I did feel something, but had just had a normal mammogram in January. I assumed maybe I had gotten a knock in some house or farm work, but after a week it was still there. I got in quickly to see my OBGYN. That mammogram showed a growth and the subsequent biopsy revealed it to be malignant. Thus began my “cancer cruise”, going port to port with finding a surgeon, an oncologist, radiation specialist, repeated biopsy, a MRI mammogram, and planning with a plastic surgeon how to reconstruct post-surgery.
My plan post-surgery we...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 6, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Guest Source Type: blogs
Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day by Sharing Your #LIVESTRONGVoice
At LIVESTRONG, we believe that when people share their cancer stories it can empower, encourage and inspire others. In honor of Cancer Survivors Day, we invite you to share your voice with the world. Here are two ways to take part and share your story with others:
Take a short video sharing your story and upload to LIVESTRONG.org/livestrong-voices
Use the hashtag #LIVESTRONGVoices on Instagram or Twitter
Need help sharing your story? Here are some ideas to get you started.
Share your cancer survivorship experience in 3 words.
Thank someone who helped you through your cancer experience
Complete the following sentences:
...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 3, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
LIVESTRONG Gets Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator
LIVESTRONG has received a four out of four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charity excellence based on financial heath, accountability and transparency. The Foundation adds this accolade to its teeming list of achievements, which include the highest ratings from the Better Business Bureau, the National Health Council and the American Institute of Philanthropy, among others.
Since 2002, using objective, data-driven analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a four-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metri...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 2, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
A Little Bit of Everything
I was diagnosed with stage IIIA lung cancer October 24, 2006. At 26 years old I was excited about the future, and cancer was not part of my plan. For the next seven months I battled it with my family, friends, and medical team by my side. At the time, chemo, surgery and radiation were the standard of care. I was sick, I spent entire days in bed, my bones ached, my hair fell out, but there was a light at the end of the tunnel. In June a CT scan and there wasn’t any cancer in my chest. I spent the summer getting back to work and getting back in shape.
January 2008 marked my cancer’s first recurrence. It was...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - June 1, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Honoring Family by Running for Team LIVESTRONG
Today is National Running Day. There are many reasons to celebrate running – exercise, health benefits and community. At LIVESTRONG we celebrate today to highlight why members of Team LIVESTRONG are running to raise money for our programs and services. Meet Eric Barsema, member of Team LIVESTRONG New York City Marathon. Eric will be running and raising funds for LIVESTRONG in honor of his father-in-law and grandmother who both passed away on April 18th of this year from cancer. If running is part of your life and cancer is part of your life, then we hope that you will celebrate and register for a Team LIVESTRONG even...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 31, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Sharing My Skin Cancer Story
Telling people about my cancer diagnosis was not easy to do. At the time of my diagnosis, we were in a different world than we are today. I had some skin cancers that came up on the top of my forehead. I didn’t tell anyone about it. I didn’t tell family, parents, anybody else. I was a sophomore at the University of Texas playing golf. I didn’t talk to anybody because I was afraid I would lose my scholarship. I was afraid I would lose my opportunity to compete.
I realize now that not sharing my story was the wrong decision because I could have gotten so much more help and more support. It was probably more...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 26, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Greg Lee, President Source Type: blogs
Giving Back to Austin Through the LIVESTRONG Challenge
As part of Team LIVESTRONG, I’m making a difference in the fight against cancer. I’ve joined with other people around the globe and across different events to raise money for the LIVESTRONG Foundation at the LIVESTRONG Challenge this October.
I am so excited to be a part of the Team LIVESTRONG again this year. Last year was my first bike ride with my Dad since being diagnosed with breast cancer and more importantly as a cancer survivor!
Being part of the cancer community in Austin has become very important to me. On Saturday, June 4, I will be modeling in one of Austin’s most theatrical and esteemed fundr...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 25, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Guest Source Type: blogs
How LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Changed my Outlook on Life
That blustery day in December, 2010, when I was told “you have breast cancer” is behind me now. Like many people, I was in denial saying “NOT ME!” I had my mammograms regularly and doctors’ appointments annually.
My daughter was engaged, and until that moment, the wonderful days ahead were meant to be focused on her wedding. I must say though, that in spite of all the radiation and chemo, “the wedding” kept me focused and positive. Just prior to my last chemo treatment a friend told me of a free exercise program for cancer patients and survivors called LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. The new session would start in ju...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 24, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Guest Source Type: blogs
Texas Takes On Cancer – A CPRIT Progress Report
Last week, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) passed a major milestone in the fight against cancer.
In 2007, LIVESTRONG played a leadership role in advocating for passage of the legislation and constitutional amendment to create CPRIT – a $3 billion investment in cancer research and programs in the state of Texas.
CPRIT was launched in 2009 and is now the largest source of public funding for cancer research and programs in the United States outside of the federal government.
Since that time, CPRIT has awarded more than 1000 grants and, last week, the agency exceeded $1.5 billion in grant dol...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 23, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: David Lofye (LIVESTRONG Staff) Source Type: blogs
LIVESTRONG Day 2016 Photos
LIVESTRONG Day was such a fun and exciting day Friday. Thank you to the thousands of you around the world who took part by submitting your photos via Instagram and Twitter. Over 2,500 images were hashtagged #LIVESTRONGDay and #BandedTogether and, with a matching gift from our friends at J.P. Morgan Chase, we raised over $50,000 raised to support our cancer support programs and services! To view all of the photographs go to www.livestrongday.org Here are just a few of our favorite pictures that were submitted via Instagram.
Celebrated #LIVESTRONGday today with a group of amazing #yogis at @StudioBamboo. It's always...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 22, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
J.P. Morgan to Match Donations on LIVESTRONG Day
Don’t miss your chance to have your gift to LIVESTRONG matched dollar for dollar by our friends at JPMorgan. Your gift of $25 becomes $50…$100 becomes $200…even your gift of $1,500 will become $3,000, all the way up to our challenge goal of $25,000.
Make your gift now before it’s too late.
And if you haven’t already, please share a photo of you and your wristband on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtags #LIVESTRONGDay and #BandedTogether. You can see everyone’s photos at www.livestrongday.org
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours in the fight,
LIVESTRONG
The post J.P. Morgan to Match Donation...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 19, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
Walk, Run or Bike to Work on LIVESTRONG Day
Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 20th! Bike, run, walk, or swim and you can earn extra money for your Team LIVESTRONG fundraising account.
A very generous donor has agreed to donate $1 for each mile that your ride, run, walk, or swim on this day! All you have to do is send us the miles you log* on May 20th and the link to your participant center and we will take care of the rest! Don’t miss this chance to earn fundraising dollars just for sending us the miles for the activities you are already completing!
You can get your friends, family, and training partners in on this incentive too! Either encourage them to sign up for...
Source: LIVESTRONG Blog - May 17, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: LIVESTRONG Staff Source Type: blogs
