What Did I Get Out of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Bloggers' Summit?

Warm, sunny Arizona

I arrived home from Arizona at the Cinderella hour, having schlepped my overloaded carry-on bag through three airports in one day. You would have thought I was exhausted, wouldn't you? Instead, I was still fired up -- about the information I gained throughout the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Blogger Summit and the chance to speak with fellow cancer bloggers. As a cancer caregiver who believes strongly in education, I was already committed to helping cancer caregivers provide better care to their loved ones. Now I'm determined to do it even better!

One thing is clear to me after speaking with the participants. We need more education, more resources, more information about how to survive and thrive with cancer. We need the whole cancer community to come together and share -- the newest treatment options, the clinical trials, the latest physical and occupational therapies, the best nutritional practices, and every little tidbit of hope we can find. That's where we will find the strength and courage to get through this toughest opponent of health and well being.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America posted many of the speaking events on their Livestream site. You can watch them for yourself and get some perspective:

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Bloggers' Summit 2013

New England's winter chill -- brr!

Maybe it's because I'm back in winter mode, no longer soothed by the warmth and sunshine of the medical center's campus, but I can look out on the horizon here and find the parable. As individuals trying to reach out to those who can benefit, we are but a few whispers in the winter wind. But when we join together to raise our voices, we become a choir that rises above the chilly landscape of cancer. We can and should raise all hearts and minds to focus on getting this done. We can provide the warmth of human contact and courage by reaching out. Uniting with other people who are determined to spread The Word about Cancer (there's a great name for a cancer community!) is a powerful thing. We aren't folks who are interested in our own glory or making a name for ourselves as individuals. We are people who want to advocate because we believe we can and will make a difference.



Matt Zachary, Professional Musician and CEO of Stupid Cancer, playing one of his own compositions at the summit

We know the why of this -- people need the best information and education in order to fight the disease in a meaningful way that preserves quality of life. That's a big part of the reason for the CTCA Bloggers Summit -- we all sat down together to brainstorm for answers. But how do we get these things? When do we get these things? And more importantly, where do we find them and who provides them? Clearly, social media and the Internet are technology tools that we can harness to provide them, and the various conferences, such as the Stupid Cancer OMG Young Adult Cancer Summit, can make a difference. But we need more -- we need the real research into what helps cancer patients to stay in the game and go from sprinters to marathoners. We need to know what practices, medical and supportive, improve patient outcomes. And we need that information to be available to people everywhere -- not hidden behind a tree or locked in a secure vault somewhere. It should be out there and accessible to anyone with digital connections.



Bloggers Brian Simpson, Catherine Blotner, Lockey Maisonneuve, and Mailet Lopez

One thing that struck me as I had the chance to network with other cancer bloggers who are cancer survivors is that they come in all shapes, sizes, ages and stages of cancer survival. Many had multiple occurrances over many years. That's a lot of experience between them. The cancer survivors I met were prepared to have a real and honest dialogue with CTCA team about it, because they want to go the distance. They weren't shy about voicing their vision. Overwhelmingly, they share one thing -- a passion for helping others overcome better than they did.


Rob Harris bellies up to the popular smoothie bar
 

My fellow caregiver attendees and I can also bring something important to the table in partnership. As much as it matters that cancer patients network with survivors, families with a loved one in cancer treatment or management need to understand the issues and how they affect the whole person and the whole family. Nothing saddens me more than to hear about cancer patients feeling abandoned and alone. The better able family members are to understand and appreciate what cancer does to a human being, the more likely they will be to offer the right kind of support to their loved ones.



Alicia Staley in the Arizona CTCA's lobby

We are on the cusp of the New Dawn in cancer treatment and management. Cancer survivors today are a new breed, and long-term management of symptoms, side effects, and stress is critical to being as healthy as possible.  In the next few weeks, I will introduce you to some very impressive people on the front lines of this people-powered movement. I think you'll enjoy learning what they have to share with you.




The writing is on the wall -- real messages from real cancer families at CTCA's Arizona center

For more help as a cancer caregiver, visit The Practical Caregiver Guides