If You're a Cancer Survivor

I'm collecting cancer survivor stories in an online archive, thebigcvisualjournal.com. By 'story' I mean a record of you and your survivorship. Your entry can be anonymous, it can simply state, "you're still here' - or your entry can tell a story, happy, sad, how many years since your diagnosis, what's your favorite thing to do to celebrate. It can be simple, it can be long, there are no boundaries. My goal is to collecte one entry from all of the 11.9 million cancer survivors. I envision this to be an online collection and archive of survivors, all of us in one place.

I'm Still Alive

I just discovered the "I'm Still Alive," series by artist On Kawara. He sent telegrams to friends stating he is "Still Alive." I just recently realized he's on Twitter now, tweeting he is "Still Alive." I think it's a nice sentiment, particularly if you're a cancer survivor.

Collecting 11.9 Million Voices

The objective of this project, The Big C Visual Journal, is to collect all 11.9 million cancer survivor voices and store them on the site, thebigcvisualjournal.com, but I need your help.

Even if you aren't a cancer survivor, you know one, or maybe two, or heck three - forward this and ask them to fill out an online postcard. It can be anonymous.

I'm working towards making this a collection of survivor voices, a place for us be seen and heard. After treatment I started to wonder who's path I crossed if they were a survivor too. There's no way to tell and there's a lot of stories out there.

Ideas if you are stumped as to what to submit;

• Your state, your age, name totally optional, this site does NOT track/trace email addresses, no worries, I'm not that savvy and never intend to be, I'm just happy I got the background color I wanted!

• Tell us a story about surviving, treatment, diagnosis.

• Tell us how you spend your cancer-versary.

• Tell us anything you want, you just have to be a survivor to be a part of this collaborative.

Online 'postcards' can be filled out here http://thebigcvisualjournal.com/

2011 The SAMFund Holiday Cards

It's been a long time since my last blog post here. Can that be true? Rest assured I'm actively and merrily collecting and documenting all 11.9 million cancer survivors entries, with all those to keep straight, it doesn't leave much time for blogging. But I wanted to tell you The SAMFund 2011 holiday cards are ready to order; http://thesamfund.org/holiday/index.html

A Little More About The SAMFund

It's National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

"Power • Strength • Knowledge • Cancer is a Catalyst"

Do not allow yourself to be dismissed, young adults do get cancer. . .

I Live. . . a survivor's postcard submission

New Postcard - and a request! from Laura, Germinoma Brain Tumor Survivor

Here's a new submission from another one of the 11.9 million out there.

"While others may celebrate love in February, I celebrate a month I refer to as, "FU Cancer month." Next week is my 2 year cancer free anniversary. Despite the aggressive name I have tagged onto this month, I celebrate with love and with the people I love who were with me for the fight and continue to stand by my side and encourage me. Like many cancer survivors, hardly a day goes by when I don't think about what this disease did to me and how much of a negative impact it had on my life. These two years have given me time to gather strength and move forward with my life with greater perspective and a better understanding of myself and my capabilities. It is important to have a positive attitude when fighting this disease but let me take this opportunity to say that it is also okay to get really angry about what has happened to you. I think it is healthy to vent about the unfairness of cancer in order to let go of the anger and move forward. One month a year I do exactly that and I would like to ask all cancer survivors to join me in saying "FU CANCER!!!" Release the anger, go hug someone you love, and take another step forward. Laura - Germinoma Brain Tumor Survivor"

Feeling Airy

Phew - the black background on the Big C site seemed so dramatic, right?

Much better! http://thebigcvisualjournal.com/

Pick Your Top Three. . .

The SAMFund* has chosen their five favorite daily paintings for an upcoming tribute card. But they need your help (huh, this sounds like a pledge drive, I promise it's not).

They've gone through all 604 paintings (wow!) and have come up with five but would like you to help by voting for your favorite three. . . the winning ones will be made into tribute cards. . . to vote here's the link to their blog scroll down to see the five finalists. . .

*The SAMFund is one of my favorite places to volunteer. The SAMFund stands for "Surviving and Moving Forward," and exists to "support young adults as they get back on their feet after cancer treatment." And they've awarded $600,000 in grants in scholarships to individuals across the U.S.