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
Category: Patient Experiences
Compassion for all: Melody J. Cunningham, MD – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist
We’ve already introduced you to Rick Boyte, MD, one of the finalists for the National Compassionate Caregiver of the Year (NCCY) Award presented by our partners at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Today, we’re happy to introduce you to another nominated healthcare provider who has displayed extraordinary devotion and compassion in caring for patients… Continue reading Compassion for all: Melody J. Cunningham, MD – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist
Joining the effort to find answers from brain diseases and injuries
In honor of Veterans Day, we wanted to share two stories from our partner, One Mind. First, the story of retired Colonel Gregory Gadson, who was wounded during his military service and was living with post-traumatic stress (PTS). PTS affects more than 7.7 million Americans each year. The second video shares the story of Roxana… Continue reading Joining the effort to find answers from brain diseases and injuries
Compassion for all: Rick Boyte, MD – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist
Back in April, our partners at the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare called for nominations for 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. This year’s expansion of the award marks the award’s 16th… Continue reading Compassion for all: Rick Boyte, MD – Schwartz Center NCCY Award finalist
Epilepsy Awareness Month: The value in helping others
It’s November, which means it’s Epilepsy Awareness Month. During our #NotAlone campaign, we shared how PatientsLikeMe member Letitia’s experience on the site helped her feel less alone in living with epilepsy. Letitia (Letitia81), a member of our 2014-2015 Team of Advisors, explains: “I enjoyed connecting with others suffering from seizures and exchanged ideas about diagnostic… Continue reading Epilepsy Awareness Month: The value in helping others
Getting “Patients Included” right Part I: Two members attend a Kidney Health Initiative workshop
Back in August, the Kidney Health Initiative (KHI), a partnership between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), held a workshop called “Understanding patients’ preferences: Stimulating medical device development in kidney disease.” But this was more than a workshop – it was an event centered around the idea… Continue reading Getting “Patients Included” right Part I: Two members attend a Kidney Health Initiative workshop
Shining a light on lung cancer
What began as one awareness day back in November of 1995 has grown into Lung Cancer Awareness Month, now in its 20th year, as the lung cancer movement expanded and activities increased. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, but is the leading cause of cancer death in the… Continue reading Shining a light on lung cancer
World Psoriasis Day 2015: Have hope, take action, make a change
Back in 2004, a group of patient associations from around the world launched World Psoriasis Day. Conceived by patients, for patients, World Psoriasis Day is an international event that aims to give a voice to the more than 125 million people worldwide living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. On October 29, the International Federation of… Continue reading World Psoriasis Day 2015: Have hope, take action, make a change
A patient’s perspective: member Gary reports back from the FDA public meeting on Parkinson’s disease
Back in September, Sally Okun, Vice President of Advocacy, Policy and Patient Safety, and community moderator Molly Cotter, attended the FDA public meeting on Parkinson’s disease (PD) along with PatientsLikeMe member Gary (tupelo). We posted some interesting developments from the meeting in the forum, but we also caught up with Gary for his perspective on… Continue reading A patient’s perspective: member Gary reports back from the FDA public meeting on Parkinson’s disease
A day in the life of User Experience Designer Flavia Gnecco
By now, you’re probably familiar with our “Day in the life” series. But in case you haven’t had a chance to check it out, here’s a quick overview: members of the PatientsLikeMe community share a lot about their health journey and experiences on the site. In turn, we like to share stories from the PatientsLikeMe… Continue reading A day in the life of User Experience Designer Flavia Gnecco