What does "patient advocacy" mean to you?

The term "patient advocacy" can mean many different things, depending on your frame of reference.  For instance, are you a person diagnosed with cancer, or a healthcare provider?

Most people get involved in patient advocacy for a specific reason, like having a loved one with cancer.  Everyone and every organization starts in one of the 5 categories listed in the puzzle pieces here.  This is their core reason for being involved, no matter how many things they do.

Many focus on direct patient support, while others work on fundraising events.  Still others get involved in political lobbying or enjoy "blowing the whistle" on the current establishment.  Some have found their calling by bringing the patient experience into research.

Very few of us have done all of these things and still live to tell the tale!

By the way (BTW), this site does NOT believe solely in “professional” patient advocates.  We believe that real people who have had real patient experiences are in a better position to represent the real issues and perspectives that real people have rather than rely on someone who studies theories in order to develop a career out of this (note to self – future article on this).

So stay tuned, help us stay real, and join in...