Many people who have had or currently have breast cancer choose to be the voice for a community in breast cancer. This week, as I prepare for Plastic Surgery the Meeting I will be using the hashtag #PSTM24 on my social media platforms to share the latest in surgical techniques and the newest innovations from industry that results in better patient outcomes and care in breast reconstruction.
Each Voice in the Breast Cancer Community is Unique
My focus is on breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. Not all patient advocates and voices in breast cancer identify with the same platform. We have each positioned ourselves through time, training, and passion to share our personal stories while at the same time providing scientific and evidence-based information to the unique communities we serve. It is a robust community with folks that include community voices in:
- Triple negative breast cancer.
- ER/PR positive breast cancer.
- Metastatic breast cancer.
- Male breast cancer.
- Inflammatory breast cancer.
- HER2-positive breast cancer.
- Lobular breast cancer.
Since opening DiepCFoundation in 2016, I continue to meet advocate voices who share the responsibility of informing our communities. We meet at conferences, on ZOOM calls, via messaging and emails. Our shared experiences and tips for bringing information to our community continue to uplift me and improve my ability to serve my community. This is the heart of our work, our community.
Preparing My Breast Reconstruction Community
Although this blog is being written prior to my departure this week for Plastic Surgery the Meeting, it is relevant for any advocate attending conferences. I will be at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons conference for three days. Through the support of DiepCFoundation sponsors I can register, book flights, and lodging. As a nonprofit leader I must budget my time and resources carefully. Therefore, I have a responsibility to my sponsors, donors, and the community I serve. The sponsors, comprised of surgeons and industry, will be part of my work at the conference. I will be engaging with them to ask questions for my breast reconstruction community and network and learn from them. It is a fantastic opportunity for me to invite them to be interviewed for the DiepCJourney podcast or the educational channel as part of the resources I provide.
Preparing takes research on my part. It wasn’t a straightforward process to learn how to be efficient and use my time wisely at conferences. I have had a few “baptism by fire” experiences over the years. Each one teaches me how to optimize my time and share what I learn with my community. Preparing them by inviting them to ask any questions is something I have found useful. I want them to feel a part of and share my in-person experience.
I put together a graphic letting them know what sessions I plan to attend and what new innovations I intend to learn about. This graphic and my conference schedule is shared with the private Facebook I administer. The members are those needing information about breast reconstruction who are affected by breast cancer.
Engaging the Breast Cancer Community
Advocates position themselves to be voices for others by establishing a trusted relationship. This does not happen overnight. I am speaking specifically about advocates attending conferences to learn, listen, engage, sit on committees, or speak on panels to share their story and expertise. There are several national organizations who have invested funds to train advocates. I am fortunate to be a trained LEAD patient advocate and graduated from their program with other advocates in 2017. It was done through an application process. Many of us continue to stay in touch and see each other at various breast cancer conferences.
But advocates can be individuals who help other individuals. They can be a group of like-minded people who have shared breast cancer experiences in online communities like DiepCJourney Facebook group. Supporting and advocating for one another is the very core of community.
These are the folks I will represent this week as I travel to San Diego for PSTM24. When I speak to industry leaders I will be taking their questions, their concerns to hopefully find answers. There are opportunities to stand at the microphone after sessions to ask the panelist questions. If I find an opportunity to have a question answered I will ask the panel. Additionally, I have opportunities to network with many of them throughout the conference. Taking my lapel microphones gives me the flexibility to sit down briefly and record some interviews and provide information recorded on my phone.
Your Voice, Your Representative
I hold great responsibility representing my breast reconstruction community. Preparations are under way. Packing my bags for the trip is easy. Honoring the voice for a community in breast cancer is the exhilarating part but takes preparation. At least the conference is in the same time zone I live in this year, so I won’t be suffering jet lag when I arrive. I’m excited to be your voice and represent you this year! I look forward to a fast and furious three-day experience of listening, learning, and engaging as your representative. We are #JourneyStrong.