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Diane Mary Colton
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EP1.02 - Advocacy (ID 289)
- Event: WCLC 2019
- Type: E-Poster Viewing in the Exhibit Hall
- Track: Advocacy
- Presentations: 1
- Now Available
- Moderators:
- Coordinates: 9/08/2019, 08:00 - 18:00, Exhibit Hall
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EP1.02-02 - The Path of a Survivor (Now Available) (ID 357)
08:00 - 18:00 | Presenting Author(s): Diane Mary Colton
- Abstract
Background
Being diagnosed with lung cancer was both the worst and best day in my life. Dying was not on my agenda but then again I lived my life the way so many do. Without thought going through the motions of living. I truly started to live after my diagnosis. Funny when you think you have a finite amount of time you live differently. From deep down; at least in some of us comes a strength and determination be change and enact change in the world around us. I found that strength and the deep feeling that I could be the pebble to start the avalanche of change and acknowledgement that seems to be so lacking for lung cancer and those affected by it. Another patient who has a bigger battle then I would ever have put it aptly. We are the invisible cancer, masked behind stigma that is difficult to shake off, myths, misinformation; finally the lack of knowledge people have relating to lung cancer. This means most patients have two fronts to fight; the disease and the stigma. One saps the life out of a person, the other takes their self-respect leaving them having to defend themselves on being diagnosed with lung cancer. I on the other hand had a rather short fight with lung cancer which leaves me the ability and the wherewithal to speak up and bring the world of lung cancer out from behind the mask into the open through dialogue, events, sharing and hopefully supporting others who hqve to endure a much harder, longer battle.
Each one of us personally and with organizations need to keep our eye on the end of the road. We are all working for the same outcomes. Each has their own way of doing, presenting the knowledge, sharing. What we should have is the support of each other. A united front; each working in their own manner to achieve results. Creating a safer environment for those diagnosed to speak and be seen without the censor of stigma. Those diagnosed with lung cancer and their caregiver families belong in the world, embraced and supported throughout their ordeal. Not feeling like they need to be hidden away.
Every person deserves to be the best and live the best
Method
As an advocate and patient I continue to speak whenever opportunities present themselves. I have spearheaded and will continue to expand events bringing lung cancer to the forefront. The more it is in the public realm the easier it will be over time.
Result
Bringing lung cancer into the light; even if one person has a better understanding then we are achieving something.
Conclusion
not applicable
