[Ellen Stovall]

Cancer... survivor.

For nearly one and a half million people in the United States who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, that first word is most frightening. To the more than nine million who have already heard that word applied to us, the second word is ever so important. Survivor... a word that represents the strength, courage, and determination to face your worst fears and to move forward.

[Ellen Stovall]

Hello, my name is Ellen Stovall and I am a cancer survivor. Back in 1971 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease -- a cancer of the lymph nodes. I was one of the fortunate ones who received optimal treatment and quality care. Unfortunately, the disease recurred 12 years after my initial treatment, but again I was able to receive excellent cancer care. My experiences living with, through, and beyond these diagnoses of cancer taught me many things. Probably the most important among them is that each of us can do something to feel in better control during a very frightening time. Even when facing a diagnosis of cancer, we can, with the right tools, take charge of making informed decisions about how we will live our lives.

[Ellen Stovall]

Since my diagnosis, I have met men and women who have taken their experiences with cancer and turned them into positive actions that help others in their communities deal with this difficult diagnosis. They write, speak, and testify about their lives with cancer. By doing so, they allow others, who may be living alone with this diagnosis, learn how others are surviving. Some of the more impassioned survivors have gone on to become advocates and activists at the national level. In my role as President and CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, I have had the good fortune to meet many of these extraordinary survivors, who, every day, help others find the tools that will help them survive. I am especially fortunate to bring you some of these tools that will assist you as you learn about cancer survivorship. Through an unrestricted educational grant from our sponsors, I am pleased and proud to present The Cancer Survival Toolbox®.

[Ellen Stovall]

For most of us, cancer is a crisis -- perhaps the most serious crisis we have ever faced. Like me, you were probably scared, confused, and overwhelmed. I was in shock. My whole world was suddenly turned upside down. Like you, I had vitally important decisions to make about my treatment. And, I didn't know where to start or what questions to ask in order to get the best information -- a critical first step after a diagnosis of cancer.

[Ellen Stovall]

There is good news -- you can do something. Through the numerous resources available to people with cancer today, you can learn how to take charge in this important decision-making stage of your diagnosis. We hope this series of programs can assist you in becoming an expert about your own survivorship, to learn what to expect medically, how to work with the health-care system, and deal with cancer-related employment, insurance, and personal issues. Millions of us are living proof that you can develop the skills you need to get through this difficult time in your life.

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