Sharing Hope Instead of Slinging Mud

There's Hope.

Most of us are pretty sick of mudslinging by now, so I was grateful to find some political party warmth in the form of a post by conservative columnist and three-time cancer survivor Robert D. Novak about his current battle with brain cancer.  (read the full text of his column by clicking here.)

Novak wants people to know about “the reaction to my disease, mostly compassionate, that belies Washington’s reputation.”

Just a few months ago, doctors operated on senator Ted Kennedy’s brain tumor.  Through a series of connections, Novak ended up in contact with one of his political rivals and found that

“The Kennedys were not concerned by political and ideological differences when someone’s life was at stake, recalling at least the myth of milder days in Washington. My long conversation with Vicki Kennedy filled me with hope.”

Novak found equal compassion from President Bush, who had also been the subject of criticism in some of  Novak’s columns.  He writes.

“There are mad bloggers who profess to take delight in my distress, but there’s no need to pay them attention in the face of such an outpouring of good will for me.  I had thought 51 years of rough-and-tumble journalism in Washington made me more enemies than friends, but my recent experience suggests the opposite may be the case.”

I wish cancer didn’t have to be the catalyst, but it heartens me to know compassion crosses party lines.  I needed that.

Cancer Does Not Know Age

This picture speaks for itself.  Thank you, KelliRae, for sharing it.

Cancer survivor singlespeeds for healing, and encourages others to do same

So, I’m outta shape.  I’ve got three kids and not a whole lot of time on my hands, hate gyms, and… oh… a billion other excuses.  Looking at this video by 1speeder, I suddenly crave a bike, a pebbled, snow-dusted path, and a meandering afternoon.  (Of course, I’d need better leg muscles too, but dream with me please.) 1speeder says his goal is to inspire other cancer survivors to ride, since he credits singlespeeding with helping him through a chemo resistant form of Hodgkins Lymphoma.  This video takes place just 95 days after his bone-marrow transplant! 

I know many of you are sharing hope on personal blogs and sites like YouTube.  Please remember that you can keep the accounts you already have AND upload to SharingHope.tv too.  It’s an extra step, but it will bring your inspiring words, photos, and video directly to the people in the cancer community who need the encouragement.  If you have any questions, please see the tutorials or comment here.

People want to help when they find out a friend has cancer, but they don’t always know how. What do you find most helpful? What do you find least helpful?

Please comment.  Remember, you can also answer via video on sharinghope.tv and put the link in a comment here.  : )

Has blogging and/or participating in other forms of online communities helped you in your cancer journey? In what ways?

Please comment! : )

What inspired you to start blogging about your cancer journey?

Cancer bloggers and SharingHope.tv inspired this blog.  What inspired you to blog about cancer?  Please comment.

How to Share Your Cancer Story

1. If you are brand new to the world of social media, click on the Help button at the top of this blog for a primer.  Then, you can venture into the world of digital story-telling simply by commenting on one of the topics on this blog.  On the right-hand side, click on the words Open for Comment. Pick a question and write a short response. 
2. If you find you have a lot to say, you might want to start a blog.  Doing so is free.  Go to the Wordpress homepage to register for an account, or use one of the many other blogging platforms available.
3. Submit a guest post (an uplifting story about your cancer journey) for publication on this blog.  Send submissions to kara.sharinghope@gmail.com.
4. Sign up for an account on sharinghope.tv  Upload video, audio or photos.  To learn how to record your story on video, click here.  You may embed your video and photos on your personal blog if you wish. 

Why share your cancer story?

For a video tutorial on uploading video to SharingHope.tv, click here.

Have you experienced any “light-hearted” moments with cancer? How has having a sense of humor helped you?

Please comment.  Remember, you can also answer via video on sharinghope.tv and put the link in a comment here.  : )