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Introducing: The Skin Check
I am SO excited to announce that I will be hosting a monthly segment on Low Ultraviolet’s new podcast, The Low Ultraviolet Tide!! Low Ultraviolet is a safe, fashionable and affordable UPF50+ clothing brand based out of Washington, DC. They were founded in 2019 by Erica Sullivan with a mission to outshine skin cancer. Their podcast, the Low Ultraviolet Tide, is hosted by Erica and her business partner Snigdha Sangisetti and offers up a weekly…
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Erica Sullivan: Sun Protective Clothing, Social Entrepreneurship and Advocacy Through Education
Erica Sullivan discusses her path to entrepreneurship and how she knew she wanted to create social impact and community before she even knew she wanted to build a brand and business. Erica was first touched by cancer when her mom was diagnosed with melanoma but it was her own scare that led to her creating lasting change. With an entrepreneur’s mind, a heart for others and some tough love from her now husband, Erica pitched…
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Could’ve Would’ve Should’ve (the Cancerversary edition)
Today was supposed to mark my 8th year cancer free. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t bringing up a lot of emotions: In January of 2015, I was living in Chicago, working for the Cubs and knew very little about melanoma. The sum of all I knew was learned in a college health class, taken only to fulfill a general education credit. I’m not even sure how long the mole was there, only…
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3 Coffee Shops You Need to Visit in Kansas City
Any time I’m planning a trip, the first thing I do is Google cute coffee shops. I can’t help it, I take my coffee aesthetic very seriously! Some of the things that I look for are coffee quality (small-batch roasted or organic are preferred), interior decor (don’t judge me – taking IG worthy pics makes me happy), and food options. Let me tell you, Kansas City did not disappoint! Thou Mayest “Thou Mayest” means life…
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The Truth About Mental Health and Melanoma
“I don’t want to die.” I didn’t even realize I was thinking the words until the tears were flowing down my cheeks. It’s been a rough month for me. When it comes to my health, things have felt a little too real and my future a little too uncertain. I’ve had four biopsies, scheduled another surgery, had three ultrasounds, found out I’m at increased risk for breast cancer, began the discussion around genetic testing and…
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World Cancer Day
This World Cancer Day has felt especially heavy for me… I found out yesterday afternoon that I have cancer. Yes, again. I’ve spent most of my day trying to figure out what I wanted to say about today. When it comes down to it, my two biggest pieces of advice would be this: advocate for yourself and get a skin check. Advocate for Yourself My last skin check was scheduled for early January with my…
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Miss Independent…or I Miss Independence
I recently joined Gilda’s Club here in the Twin Cities and one of the many free resources I’ve utilized is the writing classes they offer. I have so many emotions and thoughts about cancer but when I sit down with a notebook or my laptop, I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. These classes not only provide us with prompts but are designed to help us find growth, healing and purpose in our cancer…
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Ashley Williams: Desmoid Tumors, The Cancer Community and Celebrating the Small Stuff
It was an emotional episode as Ashley and I discussed trauma triggers and feeling like we have to justify our place (to ourselves!) in the cancer community. Ashley was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor, a type of sarcoma, shortly after a serious car accident in 2015. Since then, she’s become a powerful advocate for mental health awareness in the cancer journey and has been a speaker at Stupid Cancer and other spaces dedicated to providing…
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Sally Fowler: CRPS, Navigating Loss and Advocating for Your Own Health
Sally Fowler shares what it’s like to live with CRPS, how her diagnosis felt like losing both her identity and her mom, and how she’s been able to reimagine what her future looks like. She discusses the many things she’s lost due to CRPS and how she’s been able to find ways to incorporate some of those things back into her life. Sally also talks about how her CRPS led her to a completely new…