Thursday, April 23, 2009

It's Never Enough

Ever feel like you're terrible for being a survivor? Like some organizations look down on you for not eating, sleeping and breathing cancer now that you're a survivor? For not knowing everything happening with every organization? Sometimes that's how I feel. And let's face it, if you know me, you know I do a LOT for the cancer community. But if it's not the Kool-Aid everyone else is drinking sometimes you get snubbed.

Here's a short list of the things I do:

- I volunteer at local hospital in the oncology unit and resource room helping newly diagnosed cancer patients learn the resources available to them. I sit and talk to the lonely people and make sure they have someone to talk to and put a smile on their faces.
- I help out The American Cancer Society in their communications department. I write up stories about cancer survivors and people fundraising for events.
- I was volunteering until recently at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society doing PR for them as well.
- I keep Chemopalooza.com active so that people searching for resources can find them here. And believe me, they do.
- I respond to several current cancer patients each month that find my blog and seek support and encouragement.
- I allow college students working on research, writers working on stories/books, to interview me so that care can get better for future cancer patients and so people can learn they are not alone.

And this is just a short list of the things I do, for FREE, for the cancer community. Yet, sometimes people act like it's just not enough. Well, I think it is!

XO

11 comments:

Nic N said...

You do so much. Don't ever let anyone make you think that you don't contribute more than your fair share. Look at what you do for the cancer community! I think it's difficult for some people to visualize what's going on outside of their own little worlds--I know I have that tendency once in a while. Don't worry about what others think of your contributions--just know that YOU are making a difference!

Anonymous said...

So who's complaining? I think you are great, fantastic, creative, super....
need more?

Loosen up, kid. Just let it roll off you.

Judy

And p.s. you'd have loved this poetry workshop on healing. The leaders are really good.

lisa-lurkey said...

Wow, I didn't even know all the things you do and I already thought your were a superstar.

It pisses me off that no one has hired you yet. stupid economy. I wish you were a columnist in my local paper (all the regular columnists for the Community Newspapers Company are old white men) They should have you do a regular column. It could even be about volunteering!

http://home.wickedlocal.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Newspaper_Company

Anyway, We gots to get you some money!

Can I buy you lunch? (I could leave a gift certificate at someplace like legal seafood for you to pick up - or something like that) No strings or anything.

Anyway, please keep the faith, your blog is one of my favorites even if I didn't have a common interest ...

Kelly Kane said...

Lisa Lurkey -

I love new people commenting here! How'd you start reading the lovely chemopalooza if you weren't touched by cancer or know me personally?

No need to buy me lunch, I promise :) Are you local to me? If so, we could be lunch buddies and go dutch! I'm always looking for new folks to meet!

And I do sorta have a job. I'm doing freelance PR work for a health insurance start-up. I just started a few weeks ago.

Anywho, email me, identify yourself :) kelly (dot) kane (at) gmail (dot) com

XO

Morgan said...

Wait... we're supposed to do what, now?

Kate Burton said...

Sorry babe, you can tell anyone who wants to give you one second worth of grief to go to hell and you'll have hundreds of us behind you! There is only so much one person can, should or may want to do. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to live your own life and to hell with what anyone else thinks!

laulausmamma said...

Hi Kelly - I just read through the previously posted comments...and ditto to all of them. Good for you to be so generous with your time. Know that the people you are talking to appreciate you..and you feel good helping people...that's a reward in of itself.

((HUGS))

lisa-lurkey said...

Well OK then - I have sent you a message. The weather is so nice out - if some bureaucrat gets snotty, down level them to a lower priority and then go outside.

Studies show ...

Veronica said...

Hope the person who's rubbed you up the wrong way realises it now!! Most people don't realise how they can make others feel with just a few badly chosen words. I know I have upset people without intending to, but when I realise I have upset them with MY badly chosen words, I ALWAYS apologise and try to explain if they've picked me up wrong.

Glad you put out there all that you do :0) It's good for you to see that list too - hope you sat back after and said 'wow, I'm such a cool kid!!' ;0) Be proud of all you do, KK and try not to worry about what others think - the rest of us are right behind you.........<3..........Vx

Kairol Rosenthal said...

Screw that! As cancer patients we have no more or less obligation than everyone else to be good people and do good things.

Just because we had cancer we should be Mother Theresa? No. I think not. People should do good because they care, not just because they can relate. And believe me you are doing plenty. You get a tiara. A crown.

Dennis Pyritz, RN said...

Great blog! Keep fighting the good fight. I have added you to my Cancer Blog Links Page. Take care, Dennis beingcancer.net