Health Stories Project

Share your health stories, inspire others, and connect with people like you. Discover opportunities to share here.

[healthstoriesproject]

Decades after she appeared in a cigarette ad, she was told she had two years to live, but Gail is still living with stage IV lung cancer and with purpose 

[healthstoriesproject]

Have you ever experienced 'scanxiety'....?  

It is the feeling of apprehension that occurs when someone who has or had cancer is preparing for an upcoming exam. 

Cindy, who lives with fibromuscular dysplasia and pulmonary artery sarcoma says, "As a result, I have lost my job and my sense of security in my own body. [Prior to diagnosis] I had always felt I was very in tune and aware of what was going on inside my body. [Now I] second guess myself."

[healthstoriesproject]

“I was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I was only 15 years old.”

[healthstoriesproject]

For Art, who was diagnosed with HIV in January 1989, watching the COVID-19 pandemic unfold has been reminiscent of his experience living through the AIDS crisis that ravaged the US in the 1980s and 1990s. ⠀

Read about Art's experience contracting COVID-19.

[healthstoriesproject]

We had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Victor Pineda of World Enabled to discuss the impact of COVID-19 for people with disabilities. Please join us in thanking him for this important work.

[healthstoriesproject]

#HighRiskCovid19: What it means to have an underlying condition during a pandemic

We spoke with people who have underlying conditions that make them more vulnerable to negative outcomes with COVID-19.

[healthstoriesproject]

How are you taking extra care of yourself during all this?  

[healthstoriesproject]

Feeling Inspired? Share on your Instagram story and tag @healthstoriesproject!

[healthstoriesproject]

“Everyone has the ability to make a change for the better and the flexibility to reach out to other people, learn about themselves, and make the changes needed for their lives. Don’t be afraid to be different.” 

[healthstoriesproject]

Chronic Migraine Influencer Beth Morton Puts Her Research Literacy to Good Use

[healthstoriesproject]

How do you help someone who is living with multiple myeloma? 

Members of our community offered up these 13 insights.

[healthstoriesproject]

Imagine uncontrollably laughing at a funeral...what would others think? This scenario is painfully real for people living with PBA. 

[healthstoriesproject]

Today is National Rural Health Day. Why is this a big deal? There’s a real shortage of rural healthcare providers and this doesn’t just affect people in rural communities. 

[healthstoriesproject]

This week we interviewed John Linnell, a COPD advocate, about life with a serious chronic condition. He told us about his diagnosis, education, advocacy and how he works as a partner in care with his doctor.  

[healthstoriesproject]

"When people see me and learn that I am a 5-year survivor of advanced lung cancer they often say “but you look so healthy!” What I have learned, and want others to learn, is that if you have lungs you can get lung cancer. The face of lung cancer is often someone who might be young or healthy." 

This story was written by community member, Frank Noll. Don’t forget to leave a big THANK YOU for his advocacy work in the comments.

[healthstoriesproject]

"When I was going through it, people would say to me all the time, ‘Let me know if you need anything. Call me.’

I didn’t know what I needed. So, when someone came over and offered to have my house cleaned, it was amazing. I didn’t have to ask, they just did it. If you really want to help someone, go do something for them.“ 

Terminal Cancer and Life After Loss

[healthstoriesproject]

A large percentage of Americans don't even have $500 saved for emergencies. Imagine a health crisis and you don't have money and you lose your job. Missing one paycheck is a problem." ⠀

⠀ What do you do when you can't afford cancer treatment? Molly MacDonald created The Pink Fund to help breast cancer survivors stay financially afloat.