MyLifeLine.org

A cancer diagnosis can overwhelm entire families in addition to the physical and emotional toll it takes on patients. Many questions are raised that often go unanswered, at least initially. The sheer volume of communication needed to provide updates to family members and friends can also be overwhelming. MyLifeLine.org, a Denver-based non-profit focused on social and emotional support services for cancer patients, was created to help solve this problem.

MyLifeLine.org exists to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis. We connect cancer patients and caregivers to their community of family and friends for social and emotional support. We provide free personalized web sites, communication services, cancer resources and tools that allow patients and caregivers to share their journey and focus on healing.

I became involved with MyLifeLine.org due to my own experiences and the promising role technology plays to help patients and caregivers. I live in Denver with my wife and two young children while the rest of my extended family resides on the East Coast. When a family member experiences a health issue it can be difficult to travel to see them and provide support in person. Today’s technology, however, ensures that every patient can stay connected to their entire support community, and each member of the support community has the ability to stay involved and provide strength and inspiration to the patient. Research has shown that a thriving support community is beneficial to patients’ healing process.

• A recent study of 735,0000 cancer patients included in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program found that improving social support for our patients may be equally as important as providing effective therapy, and it is less costly to develop and implement.1

• The provision of practical support increases the likelihood of adherence to evidence-based medicine 3.6 times.” 2

Patients aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a strong support community. Caregivers, the people taking care of the patients and coordinating communication and care, need to be supported just as much as the patient. It can be equally overwhelming to be the primary person supporting the patient and managing care, appointments, medications, meals and transportation on top of lives that are already busy.


WHAT PATIENTS & THE ONCOLOGY COMMUNITY ARE SAYING


I encourage anyone facing cancer, or anyone who knows someone with cancer, to consider setting up a free site with MyLifeLine.org. We’ve heard from a countless number of people how it positively changed their experience with cancer. A family living across the country was able to know when their loved one had a chemo appointment. A small town rallied around a hardworking individual to raise thousands of dollars for their medical costs. A single woman was able to schedule meals delivered to her from her eager to help group of friends. We heard from one patient who loved MyLifeLine.org because he was able to have a sense of normalcy with his friends; since they were up to date on his condition, they could spend time together without asking about his cancer.

MyLifeLine.org goes beyond the personal websites to connect patients and caregivers to their support community, and allow them to gain control, be empowered and become their own advocate. The service is offered for free to all people impacted by cancer.


1. Aizer AA, Chen M-H, McCarthy EP, et al: Marital status and survival in patients with cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 31:3869-3876, 2013
2. DiMatteo MR: Social support and patient adherence to medical treatment: A meta-analysis. Health Psychology 23:207-218, 2004
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About MyLifeLine.org: About MyLifeLine.org: MyLifeLine.org Cancer Foundation connects cancer patients and caregivers to their community of family and friends for social and emotional support. We provide unique communication and stress reducing tools that allow patients and caregivers to share their journey and focus on healing. To learn more, visit MyLifeLine.org and check out the MyLifeLine.org blog.

Live Life Now

 I am a 45 year old who is taking breast cancer on a ride of its life. I am battling this disease for the 3rd time and am now living with stage IV Metastatic breast cancer. My cancer began as a non-invasive form in 2003. As a result I had a mastectomy, reconstruction and took medicine for 5 years and went on with her life. In 2010 I noticed a small bump on my skin, on my left breast. It didn't hurt so I ignored it. A few months later during a routine checkup I mentioned it to my surgeon. My surgeon immediately started taking pictures, and said that she would like to remove it.

The pathology report later deemed it was in fact cancerous. In 2012 from a visit to urgent care for a cold, and a weird feeling in my breast bone area, after x-rays, and a return call to follow up, it was found that the cancer had returned and spread to my chest walls, spine and head as stage IV metastatic breast cancer. This disease, which has graced its presence in my life in 2003, as "non-invasive,” has again and again invaded my life.  Although this disease has changed my life I refuse to let IT own or define my journey in life.

While I am living with this terminal disease, I realize that others with this disease may not be living or coping as well as they could be. I decided to make lemonade with my lemons and founded a 501(c)3 organization entitled Angel in Disguise Inc.

Our Mission: To help people including the general public with task that they are unable or incapable of completing alone. To focus on breast cancer survivors and their families; aiding with lifestyle changes and hope by helping them to “live life now!”

We provide transportation needs to doctor appointments, to get medicine or to run light errands to breast cancer patients. As well as offering peer support. Angel in Disguise Inc. also assists single parents with transportation needs to and from school for school aged children as well as volunteer emergence teaching children how to give back and serve in the community.

I have also been blessed with the opportunities to speak publicly to motivate and inspire others. Everyday my goal is to" Live Life Now!"

Recently I participated in My 2nd Act Raleigh, a national stage performance that will be shown in 142 countries via internet TV. 

Youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj52rB6a5hrqzd_OWawulow

my website is angelindisguiseinc.org

Angela Baker, MSOD

"Aiding You to Make the Impossible, Possible"