Writing Through Cancer

To recommend online  resources for cancer survivors and individuals living with other debilitating illness or life hardship,  please email Sharon at sharon@sharonbray.net  with your suggestion.

www.1uponcancer.com (cancer resource site by health writer, Rachel Pappas)

www.allheartmatters.com (narrative medicine; illness narratives authored by James Borton)

www.asbestos.com (information on cancers caused by asbestos–Mesothelioma Doctors - the most up to date and comprehensive information regarding Mesothelioma on the web –working closely with Carl Jewett and the Veteran’s Assistance Network to provide needed help to veterans.)

http://saratbaker.wordpress.com/  (Word Medicine from Georgia writer, Sara Baker)

http://www.blogforacure.com/  (online community for cancer survivors)

http://www.breastinvestigators.com (an informational website and social network where members share their expertise on the prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and advocacy of breast cancer.

www.brendastockdale.com (healing & wellness resources by the author of You Can Beat The Odds)

www.cancerpoetryproject.com  (poetry by those whose lives have been touched by cancer)

http://www.cancertreatment.net/ (resources on cancer treatment)

www.caringbridge.org (online journals for those dealing with cancer and other debilitating illness)

www.fightlikeamother.com (a young mother & cancer survivor writes)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Power-of-Memoir-Writing-Your-Healing-Story (Linda Joy Meyers)

http://www.ffcg.org  (Foundation for Caregivers, a philanthropic organization working to improve the quality of life for present and future generations of caregivers and care receivers)

www.healingicons.org (using art as a way of healing with Heidi Darr-Hope)

www.healingjourneys.org (provider of the “Cancer as a Turning Point” two day conference, resource newsletter)

www.journalafterbraininjury.wordpress.com (journaling for people with brain injury and their family caregivers)

www.oneyearofwritingandhealing.com (an inspired site by Diane Morrow)

www.pinkpoetry.org  (Australian site of poetry by cancer survivors)

http://suediaz.com/the-warriors-wall/ (a site for war veterans by Sue Diaz, award winning journalist)

www.survivorsreview.org (an online magazine for cancer survivors’ writing)

www.ultra-sounds.org (website featuring creative submissions of writing, art or video by anyone touched by cancer.  For more information and submission guidelines, go the the website.)

http://www.wellnessandwritingconnections.com/ (resources on writing and health)

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There is Help and Support

Contributed by David Haas, cancer survivor

One of the worst things about having cancer is the feeling that you’re alone. So many of those diagnosed with cancer and going through cancer treatments are doing it by themselves with no support. Luckily, there are a lot of cancer survivor networks covering almost every kind of cancer including common cancers such as skin cancer and breast cancer. These groups also cover extremely rare and terminal diseases such as mesothelioma.

Survivor networks can be a great idea for those who have survived cancer but can also help those who are still receiving treatment. Knowing others have gone through the same thing can be a big help to one’s mental state and general wellbeing. Survivors can also share treatment tips, questions to ask doctors, life expectancy issues, and their feelings about what they have gone through.

Where can you find cancer survivor networks?

On The Internet

The Internet has made it possible for people of all backgrounds to meet in the same place for a united purpose. There are countless cancer survivors, and they can truly help one’s outlook and general happiness while dealing with their disease.

Another reason Internet groups and networks are so helpful is that they allow you to talk about things you might not admit in a “real life” setting. You can access these groups at all times of the day or night, and you don’t have to wait until there is a meeting since networks often have forums and message boards. If you need to talk to someone you can usually find someone who can relate to you.

A few groups online are:

http://www.pinkribbongirls.org–for support for those with breast cancer
http://www.acor.org/support.html–Association, Cancer Online Resources

Local groups

There are still a good number of cancer survivor networks offline. Sometimes it helps to talk face to face with someone, and these networks allow survivors to get together in real time. This can be especially helpful to someone who has a short mesothelioma life expectancy or a dire breast cancer diagnosis, for example, because it allows that person to reach out almost immediately to locals.
Organization with information on local chapters:
http://www.cancer.gov/–National Cancer Institute

Survivor networks are not just beneficial for survivors, but also to those still dealing with cancer everyday. They are invaluable places to learn about the diseases and what to expect, but also to be among others who have had similar experiences. Try searching out one today.