Natalie shares her story as caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease

When was your mom diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease? What was your mom’s diagnosis process like for you, for your mom, and for the rest of your family and friends? My mother, Maxine, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in April of 2010. She had been living on her own for about one year, following her… Continue reading Natalie shares her story as caregiver for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease

Meet Allison from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

Meet Allison, one of your 2015-2016 PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors. Allison is living with bipolar II, has been a PatientsLikeMe member since 2008 and is a passionate advocate for people living with a mental health condition. Refusing to let her condition get the best of her, she partners with her family to self-assess her moods… Continue reading Meet Allison from the PatientsLikeMe Team of Advisors

“I am not a quitter, I never have been” – An interview with lung cancer member Jacquie

For Jacquie (Jacquie1961), a business owner and entrepreneur from New Mexico, 2013 was the worst year of her life – she’d lost two beloved pets to old age and then was diagnosed with lung cancer, which soon turned into colon cancer. After rigorous chemotherapy and the adoption of a new dog, Roman, Jacquie joined PatientsLikeMe… Continue reading “I am not a quitter, I never have been” – An interview with lung cancer member Jacquie

The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare names their National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award recipient

Last night, our partners at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare announced the recipient of their National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award, a national recognition program that honors outstanding healthcare providers who display extraordinary devotion and compassion in caring for patients and families. Of six nominees, this year’s NCCY Award recipient is Rick Boyte,… Continue reading The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare names their National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year Award recipient

Getting “Patients Included” right Part II: Planning a patient-centric event

You may remember Part I of this blog that focused on the experiences of two PatientsLikeMe members who attended the Kidney Health Initiative’s (KHI) workshop, “Understanding patients’ preferences: Stimulating medical device development in kidney disease,” back in August. KHI is a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of… Continue reading Getting “Patients Included” right Part II: Planning a patient-centric event

Compassion for all: Terry Yoas, CNA – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

Tonight, the recipient of the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award, from our partners at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, will be presented to one of six nominees at the 20th Annual Kenneth B. Schwartz Compassionate Healthcare Dinner in Boston.  Today we’re highlighting the sixth and final nominee for the NCCY Award.… Continue reading Compassion for all: Terry Yoas, CNA – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

#ChatActChange: empowered to chat, act and make change – together

On October 28, Sally Okun, our Vice President for Advocacy, Policy and Patient Safety, participated in a Twitter chat – using the hashtag #ChatActChange – aimed at empowering people living with chronic conditions to advocate for policy change. Hosted by Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (DSMA), other chat participants included policy expert Susan Dentzer, Diabetes Hands… Continue reading #ChatActChange: empowered to chat, act and make change – together

Compassion for all: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

Today, we’re happy to introduce the fourth of six nominees for the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award, presented by our friends at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. We’ve already featured Rick Boyte, MD, Melody J. Cunningham, MD and Cheryl D. Kane, MEd, BSN, RN.  Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C Providence Cancer… Continue reading Compassion for all: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

Compassion for all: Jayne O’Malley, BSN, RN, OCN – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

Tomorrow, the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award, from our partners at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, will be presented to one of six nominees at the 20th Annual Kenneth B. Schwartz Compassionate Healthcare Dinner in Boston. So far, we’ve featured four of the six nominees here on the blog: Rick Boyte,… Continue reading Compassion for all: Jayne O’Malley, BSN, RN, OCN – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist

World Diabetes Day: Act today to change tomorrow

Diabetes affects almost 400 million adults[1] around the world and contributes to nearly 5 million annual deaths[2]. November is American Diabetes Month, but on November 14, the entire world joins together to unite their voices against this disease on World Diabetes Day (WDD). It was started back in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).… Continue reading World Diabetes Day: Act today to change tomorrow