My wife and I, as well as our youngest daughter Mary, two grand daughters, Jennifer and Sarah decided to get these tattoo’s as a permanent show of our support  for our second daughter, Susan who was diagnosed with  breast cancer on November 10th 2009. At the same time, our oldest daughter Kathy was awaiting the results of a lumpectomy she had of a growth on her breast. (NEGATIVE ) In the mean time, Mary herself had a needle biopsy for a breast growth (ALSO NEGATIVE)

Susan spent the winter going through chemo and was surrounded by all of the family and her many friends.  She had a double mastectomy in April 2010 and just had the last  of her reconstruction surgeries.

Susan maintained her family and friends with her sense  of humor, in face of the terrible consequences of chemo with her almost daily updates on Caring Bridge.

 Ironically almost every female in our family and their friends have participated in the Susan  B. Komen 60 mile walk in Philadelphia for the past 4 years.  No one  in our family ever had any  kind of cancer but  they walked for  those of their friends who had it or who’s family members had it.  Then in November of 2009 it struck our family! It can happen to anyone, at any time  !

Jack and Betty Wagner

MyHopeSpace.com is about changing the ” here” and changing the “now”. We are a community of individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer in one way or another, be it cancer survivor, patient, caregiver, advocate, organization, friend or family member. It’s about people communicating with other people who are going through or have gone through difficult life changes, be it mentally or physically. It’s about the sharing of information, the sharing of thoughts, feelings, and emotions that until now you never knew existed. MyHopeSpace is a collaborative group of individuals who share a common bond, who share a special kind of camaraderie of those who choose to fight. We want to make a difference in your life today. Those who say it takes a village, they are correct. We need your help in making MyHopeSpace.com a village.

My wife lost her father in 2006 to small cell lung cancer and her step father in 2008 to colo-rectal cancer.  After her father passed away in 2006  it became our mission to create this website and provide a haven where people could collaborate and learn from others, not just locally but world wide.  We have since then partnered with Board Certified Oncologist Dr. Stephen Lemon, who in his spare time answers questions submitted by MyHopeSpace.com members, those questions are written to a searchable database .

MyHopeSpace.com has also created a platform where ogranizations can sign up and promote themselves and create groups with MyHopeSpace, this is called Sponsoring Partnerships.  This allows an organization or support systems to group members under its own branding, giving them control over their own group forums, event listings and real time chat, but also allow those members to meet other members from around the globe.  You can read more about Sponsoring Partners on our website at http://www.myhopespace.com Please take a few moments and visit our site and see what we have to offer.

We are growing but we need your help and support, please help us spread the word and help us help others.

Find us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/myhopespace and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/myhopespace

Sincerely,

Chris Hefling – Founder

How important is it to have a support network in place after your cancer diagnosis and what does your support network consist of?

When someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer thousands of thoughts rush through your head like a speeding bullet.  It’s not always easy to find the right words or know when is the right time.  Some prefer to say nothing and avoid confrontation while others are there for help and support at a moments notice.  Usually it’s something you have never had to think about, but it is something we should all be thinking about.

What do you say to someone you know that has been diagnosed with cancer? 

 Please share your thoughts or experiences with us…

Sam

When I was 4 I had T-cell ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). I had a low survival rate and was treated with a experimental program, I am now 19 and living strong. I decided on this because when i finally finished all my treatments after it went into remission I thought of it as getting a second chance or a rebirth and the Phoenix is the symbol of rebirth and thats what the symbols mean also.

Sam

See more stories at http://www.myhopespace.com/Tattoos

What’s new at MyHopeSpace.com? 

We have been extremely busy integrating new modules and applications for our members.  If it has been awhile since you have logged in now is a great time to get re-acquainted with your MyHopeSpace account.  If your life or someone in your life has been touched by cancer we  hope you will take the time to check us out and become a member of this fast growing support community.

Ask Dr. Lemon

The Ask Dr. Lemon section of the website has been completely re-written.  Questions are submitted to the database and you are emailed when Dr. Lemon answers your question!  You can also search through previously answered questions based on keywords. Only members can submit a question to Dr. Lemon but anyone can view the questions and answers.

Twitter Integration

Features include:

• You can see the last 20 tweets in your timeline
• Tweet right from the MyHopeSpace.com website
• See a list of who you follow
• See a list of who follows you
• See direct messages and replies
• Send direct messages

Footer Application Bar

It provides easy and cool access to modules, online friends and mail notifications. Always on the bottom of the screen for easy access.

Group Mailer

The send group mailer allows you to send a message to any of your group members. You can pick from any group member or email them all, your choice. You can put in your own subject and own message body.

Updated Forums

New subscription feature lets you subscribe to topics and be notified by email when the topic is replied too. Also, great new look and feel!

Sponsoring Partner Program

If your company or organization is cancer oriented you might be interested in our Sponsoring Partner Program.  Features include:

• Unique URL
• Logo banner on main public page
• Members area: Logo and organization bio
• Members area: Links back to your site
• Members area: Links directly to your profile, events, groups and video integration

The Sponsoring Partner Program is a great way for your own support community to stay connected and informed.  Feel free to read more about the program here.

Guardian Angel

Back in August 2006 at the age of 26 I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Since then I have battled with my illness and also used my illness to help others by launching the first ever online auction dating site in aid of brain cancer awareness called www.rentadateforcharity.com

Im not so sure I have any beliefs not religious anyway but I have always believed that I have a guardian angel around me which is what inspired me to get my next tattoo. I wanted something different that was purely for my own benefit so I decided to go for the word Angel with some wings to represent my own personal guardian angel.

I believe life has a purpose whichever way we look at it. I believe I was meant to have this tumour because of all the good Im not putting back into the world. If I can help change one life then I will be a happy bunny and if I can help two along the way then it’s all been worth it : ) Please check out http://www.facebook.com/officiallylisaconnell

Omaha Roller Girls

The Omaha Rollergirls are helping save lives from cancer by taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life on June 5/6. Our goal this year is to raise over $2010 for the fight against cancer.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives people in a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

In addition to helping people celebrate, remember, and fight back, Relay For Life also helps raise much-needed funds and awareness to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Read more

Featuring Joe Bacal – Control Amid Chaos

Joe Bacal refuses to let chaos bring him down. He thrives in the extreme world of off-road racing. And he waged war on cancer and won. Now, Joe’s on a mission to help others take control of the chaos in their lives. A lifelong car enthusiast and professional test driver, Joe was on vacation with his family when he discovered a lump that seemed to randomly grow and shrink. Read more

Diane Moore  shaving her head http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/diane4  for her 9 year old DD who died of cancer.  Please consider sponsoring her. http://bit.ly/bfiCgh Follow her on Twitter at @striving4more