Celebrate Survivors, But Remember It’s Not All Balloons and Confetti
Posted June 3rd, 2018
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
Every year, on the first Sunday in June, we recognize National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD). It’s a day to celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors and caregivers and to provide inspiration to those facing a new diagnosis. But this day can be a reminder for many of an experience that changed life as they […]
Just Go For The Ride!!!!
Posted April 11th, 2018
OncoLink Team
Recently I was in a work meeting and the statement was made to “go for the ride” during this busy time of growth and innovation. This really resonated with me personally, and I was inspired to reflect on this. As an ovarian cancer survivor, what does this mean to me? I remember every second of […]
Farewell Lil’e!
Posted April 6th, 2018
OncoLink Team
Today was the best day of my life, and it’s not yet even 10 AM! I bid farewell to my arch-nemesis, Lil’ e, short for enigma, and it was a parting that was so sweet. Even though we’ve known each other almost a year, I didn’t know his name until a few a days ago. […]
Forget Happily Ever After
Posted July 24th, 2017
OncoLink Team
Like the vast majority of long-term cancer survivors, my story has no “happily ever after.” I survived bone cancer in my right leg over 28 years ago, yet being declared “cancer free” was only the beginning of my journey. When I hear about cancer in the news or on my Facebook feed, the stories are […]
The Little Care Plan That Could
Posted April 24th, 2017
Carolyn Vachani, MSN, RN, AOCN
When OncoLink launched in 1994, it was the first cancer information website on the internet. Twenty-three years later, it remains one of the largest. Housed at Penn Medicine, with a focus on patient and provider education, OncoLink has continued to evolve as cancer treatment has changed over the years. In April of 2007, the group […]
National Cancer Survivors Day Wrap Up
Posted June 23rd, 2016
Christina Bach, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C
National Cancer Survivors Day is officially the first Sunday in June each year. Many cancer centers and cancer care organizations plan activities, events and recognitions throughout the month of June. Team OncoLink was honored to coordinate activities at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) to celebrate and recognize cancer survivors. It was great to reach […]
Adam Goodwin
Posted September 21st, 2015
Bob Riter
Everyone who has been treated for cancer has been through difficult weeks and months. I always tell people it’s more of a marathon than a sprint. But some people never get to raise their arms at the finish line because they have to keep running. Their personal cancer marathons never end. If perseverance is the […]
Head and neck cancers present special challenges
Posted June 5th, 2015
Bob Riter
Treatment for head and neck cancers is tough, since talking, swallowing and breathing are affected.
Living with more than one type of cancer
Posted May 8th, 2015
Bob Riter
Ithaca resident Skip Hewitt was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, bladder cancer in 2009, and lymphoma in 2011. He told me, “When I was diagnosed with my first cancer, I cried. When I was diagnosed with my second cancer, I cried again. When I was diagnosed with my third cancer, I was just pissed off.” […]
A Change of Seasons and your Activity Level
Posted May 7th, 2015
Fern Nibauer-Cohen
As we shift from a cold, dark winter to the bright warmth of spring, you may be seeing a lot of activities taking place all around you. This is the season for 5K runs, bike rides, and fitness challenges, all geared toward the shedding of your winter layers to achieve the goal of having a […]