This site is a great example of how Web 2.0 can be used to “crowdsource”—in this case, to gain first-hand knowledge about living with cancer that no single reporter could easily gather. It gives a sweeping overview of what a group of people with something important in common think about their circumstances. It doesn’t replace good journalism, but supplements it.
Here’s what I wrote in response to the questions, How did your life change after cancer? What activities or events have new meaning to you? It's lived more intensely, and more purposefully. I pay more attention to the people around me and to how God is at work in my circumstances. I ran a marathon last fall after a stage 3 diagnosis of melanoma, and am now stage 4. I'm still running.
Pasted below are a few random comments from some of the other 12 million cancer survivors in the U.S. who participated in this sharing of stories.
- I have learned that the simple embrace of others is infinitely more valuable than the physical and cultural trinkets that are the stand-in metrics of our comparative worth.
- Cancer magnifies the uncertainty of life but it can also be an opportunity to prioritize, drop the baggage and live like we mean it.
- My perspective on life in general is very different. I enjoy every day: no gripping, no complaining! I appreciate others more and try to help with their problems.
- The experience encouraged me to seek stability in my personal life while at the same time, not to worry so much about sticking to some strictly-defined life plan.
- My life is a gift. Every single day.
- Life is different because I'm an active driver in my life, rather than a sedentary, passive passenger. I make things happen. I don't wait for them to happen.
- Less stress, more joy.
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