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.

"Be Someone's Paula"

Sister-in-law’s legacy was to inspire others by Kate Jackson, for the Patriot Ledger

"Small stones engraved with the phrases “Never Give Up” and “Strength” are scattered on the sill of the bay window that overlooks her garden. Her wildflowers bloomed early this year, and it seems as though the season hurried just so she could see them one last time. Everything seems hurried, though, as my sister-in-law Paula lies dying in the next room, given two weeks to live at age 48.

Her husband and two daughters take turns holding her hands. Her oldest sits on the floor next to her bed, asking questions and writing down the answers for the days ahead when she’ll crave her mother’s advice (and cooking): “How do you make your pasta sauce?” “What do I do if I fall in love with someone who treats me poorly?” Paula, a natural teacher, answers every last one. Each day she perseveres, even as ovarian cancer ravages her insides."

READ ON

Classy Awards

If you like TheSAMFund please nominate them for small charity of the year -

Just go to http://classyawards.stayclassy.org/classy-awards, click on the first tab (Boston), and fill out the required fields (zip code is 02111).

NEW TheSAMFund Blog • Join the Network

When I got 'it' - I was 29, not living check to check anymore, could support my car, apartment, buy clothes, I wasn't living in the lap of luxury, but I was completely financially independent and it meant a lot.

Then I got sick. . . THANKFULLY I had the endless support of my parents, financially, emotionally, but I saw firsthand how cancer would debilitate finances if things were only a little bit different. Disability simply does not cover monthly expenses and prescriptions.

One year after I was done with my treatment - I read about Sam and TheSAMFund and the mission to raise money for young adult cancer survivors to help with their financial needs. I've been hooked ever since. This is an important cause - and as an added benefit - I've met a lot of other young adult cancer survivors as a result. Which, really helps.

Join the Network of young adult cancer survivors - (from TheSAMFund) -

"Cancer is the gift that keeps on taking.

We all know that financial struggles post-treatment are, unfortunately, nearly universal within the young adult survivor community. Savings are depleted during treatment. Health insurance premiums take up almost an entire paycheck. Medical bills pile up. Trips to the pharmacy can mean hundreds of dollars in co-pays each month. And so on… That’s why we created The SAMFund back in 2003: to remove some of these barriers and help young adults regain their footing as they move forward after treatment ends."

But that’s not the only struggle young adults face. One of the most common experiences we hear from young adult survivors -- and, to be honest, one that I experienced myself -- is the feeling that you are the only person on the planet who has gone through cancer. Having a different perspective than your peers. Feeling decades older than everyone around you. Wondering if there’s anyone around you who “gets it.”

So, The SAMFund decided to do our part to tackle this barrier as well, and make it a tiny bit easier for young adults to make in-person connections -- and realize that there is a community of others who have gone through similar experiences. Thanks to a start-up grant from The Lenny Zakim Fund several years ago, we developed a new program to help young adult cancer survivors, caregivers, friends and family members meet one another. "

http://thesamfund.blogspot.com/

Cervical C Survivors/Patients Sought for Media Interviews

Our friend Tamika Felder is looking for cervical cancer survivors/patients, those with HPV and family members who have lost a loved one to cervical cancer for media interviews in NY, NJ or CT. Please send her an email if you're interested: tamika@tamikaandfriends.org. Thanks!

Will Ferrell Sunscreen and Cancer for College

Hilarious - Will Ferrell is the Paul Newman of Sunscreen. Okay, not really, but you've go to love the packaging, spoofing the old Coppertone baby AND the fact all proceeds from sales go to the Cancer for College Fund. With three types of lotions Sexy Hot Tan, Sunstroke and Forbidden Fruit, there's one for the sun goddess in all of us.

http://www.cancerforcollege.org/Purchase.html

Free Cancer Sucks Button

Pardon the profanity - but sometimes it just is what it is.

Get yourself a free button here. Make a donation and get some for your friends too!

Other News: Today is the birthday of TheSAMFund!

New Journal Entries

Pop on over to the http://thebigcvisualjournal.com/ to see the new journal entries. . .

Now Accepting Applicants for Grants and Scholarships The SAMFund

Hey - all you young-adult cancer survivors!!!

The SAMFund proudly provides financial assistance to young adults as they move forward with their lives after cancer. With our support, survivors are empowered to achieve their educational, professional and personal goals.

Grants and scholarships provided by the SAMFund cover a wide range of post-treatment financial needs, such as (but not limited to): rent and utilities, car and health insurance premiums, graduate tuition, vocational training, student loan repayment, current and residual medical bills, fertility-related expenses, gym memberships and transportation costs. Click here to see our categories of funding, which includes the maximum amount we will award in each one. To date, we have awarded a total of $500,000 to more than 250 individuals across the country. Click here to read recipient stories and updates.

The Deadline is July 12th - 5:00pm, EST

http://www.thesamfund.org/pages/grants.html

It's here!

Happy National Survivors Day!

National Survivors Day

What? There's a National Day for Survivors? Well, well. Sounds like a good excuse to buy myself a present.

For this occasion, leave your mark at http://thebigcvisualjournal.com