17 Comments
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Serena Camacho's avatar

Victoria, this is such a thorough and thoughtful anthology post you’ve written and curated. I am blown away by the empathy and care with which you approach your publication, always bringing people together and reminding us of the reason we are all here, the reason some people need to keep going when life gets really tough — to feel and know that no-one is alone. Thank you for including my essays and for your kind words. And now I have to set aside some time as I have some reading to do!

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks to YOU, Serena, for your words and sharing your experience.

I'd suggest bookmarking the anthology and dipping in and out. There's a lot of emotion in and between each word. xo

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Jenny Peterson's avatar

What a great and thorough resource! Appreciate being included with these amazing writers and humans.

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks, Jenny - there's more to come in other articles ;-)

Thank YOU for your words. I hope to amplify them to those that need to hear them. I know they'll resonate, with many more people.

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Lily Pond's avatar

What a great service to put together this anthology as a resource and inspiration for cancer patients and their friends and families! At my work, we sometimes look for first-person narratives by those who have lived experiences with chronic illnesses including various forms of cancer. I will be coming back for research if there's a match.

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks, Lily! Each experience is unique but elements can be similar - I knew that these anthologies for Dementia, cancer, and bereavement (more to come) could help us feel less alone. But I also wanted to hold space for every single experience, for us to witness them ...too often, experiences can get generalised or 'summed up'. There's nothing reductive about these very human experiences.

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Lily Pond's avatar

I totally agree. While there are similarities, each experience is different. That's why I think you're doing a great service in shining a light on the stories told by different people who actually lived through/are living through their cancer journeys.

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks, hon. I appreciate you and your support so much!

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Jennifer Garam's avatar

Thanks so much for putting together this helpful resource and for including me and my writing! ❤️

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Mark Stevenson's avatar

Hey Victoria, thank you for creating this content...it is certainly much needed especially when you are in the thick of being in or watching someone you love go through the cancer journey. I am really glad that you have called out that Prostate Cancer is something that you will be sharing more of in the future, as a young'ish Prostate Cancer card holder...please feel free to give me a shout (https://prostatecancer.substack.com)

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Victoria's avatar

SO glad you messaged and Thanks for subscribing! Could you possibly choose 2 articles from your publication that I can share? I defer to your choice. Heading over to message now

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Kristina Adams Waldorf, MD's avatar

Thank you, Victoria, for bringing us together and lifting up the voices that are talking about cancer. I have found new writers to subscribe to and connect with. Yes, to Mel Erwin about creating a tribe! Standing with you from the other side of the "pond".

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks to you, Kristina. Through sharing, we can create a space where others feel they can feel empathy and be welcomed. I know (given all the sad statistics) there are many people affected by Cancer. Hopefully, our community can reach those who need support.

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Emma Vivian's avatar

Thank you so much for creating this, Victoria! It's a brilliant idea, and I'm thrilled to be included.

And who cares about publishing early? It's always good to get the resources out there! 💛🤍✨

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Victoria's avatar

Thanks, Emma. I'm pleased that we could put this together. Feels good to share alongside each other.

Thanks, these days it just take a few breaths to pivot, there was one forehead slap though . At least it gives you and the others a chance to link to the article more easily ;-)

Thanks!

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Mel Erwin's avatar

Thank you Victoria for curating such a valuable resource for both those with cancer or are accompanying someone who has it. We need a tribe, a crew and crucially we need to talk about cancer. In solidarity,

Mel 🙏🏽

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Victoria's avatar

Thank you, Mel! Many thanks for your contribution and support in launching this Cancer Anthology. I'm especially glad I asked each of you for recommendations of organisations - we've a strong list for everyone. Walking alongside you and everyone in our Carer Mentor community. xo

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