A decade ago while living in Oakland, Calif., Brad
Zebrack proposed to bike around the United States to promote a vibrant and
productive life following a cancer diagnosis. “I wanted to be a model for other
young cancer patients,” said Zebrack, a veteran of Hodgkin’s disease. A friend
steered him to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), and a
mutual partnership began. While out on the road, he distributed coalition flyers
and brochures, did a little fund-raising and was a visible symbol of the
survivorship movement.
Founded in 1986 in Albuquerque, New Mexico by 25
dedicated cancer survivors, NCCS is a nonprofit organization that addresses the
needs and interests of people with cancer, their families, healthcare
professionals and cancer organizations. Through their basic philosophy of “the
veteran helping the rookie,” NCCS has grown dramatically over the past 10 years
and is now based in Washington, DC.
Ellen Stovall, NCCS executive
director, was recently elected to be on the President’s National Cancer Advisory
Board and has testified before several senate panels on behalf of cancer
survivors. Along with 2,500 individual members across the country, more than 350
cancer organizations are part of the coalition. This includes all the national
comprehensive cancer centers, such as the U-M Cancer Center.
“It is so
exciting to have been associated with the organization for 10 years,” said
Zebrack, a NCCS board member who now lives in Ann Arbor. “There is an
organization out there working to represent your rights and your health, and we
welcome your input.” Zebrack’s grassroots effort has helped to provide a voice
for all cancer survivors.
For more information about the National
Coalition of Cancer Survivalship, you can request a general information packet
by calling their office at (301) 650-8868 or see www.cansearch.org.
If you would
like to know more about the Cancer Survivors Network of Southeastern Michigan
contact Karen Baker at snickers@ismi.net.
