By HOWARD BROWN
Author of Shining Brightly

I’m pleased to see that nearly 20,000 people have downloaded my podcasts—which is why I continue to look around the world for unique voices to bring to my listeners.

I admit in this podcast, which you can hear below, that I was not aware of the remarkable anti-bullying work that Kalyani Pardeshi is pioneering from her homebase in Canada. When I recently learned of her work, I knew that I needed to introduce her to my own global audience—after all, resiliency is the core theme in my own work as I travel to speak with audiences.

Born in Zambia and raised in South Africa with Indian family roots, as you might imagine, Kalyani grew up confronting some of the world’s worst forms of bullying. Through her unique approach to learning and training, she has developed a whole toolbox of tips and techniques to confront this global problem.

Her approach now starts with not bullying yourself. Research shows that bullies often have been bullied themselves, of course, and Kalyani zeroes in on the many ways we contribute to this problem with what her book Unbullying calls “inner” bullying.

“The only way we can stop bullying each other is to stop bullying ourselves,” Kalyani says in the podcast you can hear right here:

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Here’s more you can do to spark hope for yourself, your friends and family

Share this column with friends and family members. It’s easy to send a link to this column via social media or email—along with your own best wishes. A simple, caring note like that can make a big difference—perhaps share some of Kalyani’s wisdom with the folks you care about, perhaps a boost in their spirits on a tough day.

Download my “Survivorship” discussion guide. It’s a free, inspiring list of ideas for health and wellbeing when struggling with cancer—and, yes, it’s free to download if you visit my website and type in your email. This is one of the most popular resources I have offered to audiences when I speak about resilience in workshops and conferences nationwide. If you’re confronting cancer—or know someone who is—you’ll get a boost from reading that free download. I know that’s true because so many readers have told me so.

Get a copy of my hope-filled memoir, Shining Brightly. And, want to brighten someone’s week? Consider ordering a copy of my memoir from Amazon and having it shipped to a relative or friend who is facing challenges in life.

 

By HOWARD BROWN
Author of Shining Brightly

If you are reading this story, today, and wondering why this is such a big deal, then clearly your life hasn’t been touched by a form of cancer that requires the implantation of a medical “port.” I’m happy for you, but “ports” now are a common part of the cancer world.

Millions of men and women now live with these ports inside their chests. And—every one of them wants to reach this milestone that I’ve just crossed!

Sad to say, many cancer patients never have their ports removed. They die with those ports still in place. Sorry, that’s somber to hear, but it’s true.

When my port was removed recently, I was so thrilled that I posted on my social media:

“Sharing some HOPE with all of you! After over 7 years, I had my Chemo Medi-Port removed. One big step forward! I feel like I got unplugged from the MATRIX! NED 4 years on September 20!” (NED means “No Evidence of Disease.”)

When that post went live—I was showered with “likes” and encouraging comments. It was such a happy day for me and for so many who care about me!

That’s why I’m also going to add:

Care to learn more about these ports that folks you know have in their chests? Here’s the Wikipedia overview of ports. If you do have a loved one living with a port right now, you may want to read the Cleveland Clinic’s helpful Q-and-A about how to successfully live with a port in place. Then, here’s one more helpful link: The CDC provides a free brochure about “Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients” that includes information about the care of ports.

So, right there are three helpful links (and there’s one more very helpful link to my own website below after the podcast). I’ve tried to make this column a helpful message that you can send with good wishes—and solid information—to friends and loved ones who are caring for cancer patients with ports.

If you’ve read this far, then you’re a reader who will understand the importance of this message—and hopefully the inspiration I’m conveying—in an unusual new podcast.

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Here’s what you can do to spark hope for yourself, your friends and family

Share this column with friends and family members. It’s easy to send a link to this column via social media or email—along with your own best wishes. A simple, caring note like that can make a big difference—perhaps a big smile for the folks you care about, perhaps a boost in their spirits on a tough day.

Download my “Survivorship” discussion guide. It’s a free, inspiring list of ideas for health and wellbeing when struggling with cancer—and, yes, it’s free to download if you visit my website and type in your email. This is one of the most popular resources I have offered to audiences when I speak about resilience in workshops and conferences nationwide. If you’re confronting cancer—or know someone who is—you’ll get a boost from reading that free download. I know that’s true because so many readers have told me so.

Get a copy of my hope-filled memoir, Shining Brightly. And, want to brighten someone’s week? Consider ordering a copy of my memoir from Amazon and having it shipped to a relative or friend who is facing challenges in life.

 

 

 

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By HOWARD BROWN
Author of Shining Brightly

As New Year’s Day approaches, my resolution is to redouble my efforts to spread the message: Cancer is a team sport—so let’s all get involved!

That’s a major theme of my memoir Shining Brightly, and I’ve been sharing that message at conferences, through podcasts and in weekly columns we’ve published nationwide.

I’m not alone in spreading this life-saving message. Recent reports are confirming that the COVID pandemic has led far too many Americans to skip routine cancer screening. For example, we all were surprised when Katie Couric—co-founder of Stand Up to Cancer—announced in an online post that she had skipped a routine mammogram with potentially dire results. When she finally had her overdue scan, doctors found cancer—which was treated right away.

Each week brings new headlines. Right now, we’re all praying for a successful outcome for the National Cancer Institute’s Monica M. Bertagnolli after her diagnosis with breast cancer.

The evidence is overwhelming that screening helps. Just one example: TIME recently reported on the critical link between screening and successful outcomes for lung cancer.

In 2023, resolve to ‘Be the Match’

Beyond screening, we need more people nationwide to volunteer as potential bone marrow donors. One way is to check out Be the Match. As you can see from the “bag” at the top of this column, a bone marrow transplant from my twin sister saved my life in 1990.

And, consider giving to The Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund

TODAY, I’m also starting a donor page for the Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund.

Here’s the donor page if you’d like to help this effort, started in 1948, which has saved “countless lives and reduced the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide.”

Why am I so thankful to Dana-Farber?

The Dana-Farber team saved my life the first time I faced death from very aggressive stage IV cancer.

To read that dramatic story, visit the Dana-Farber website to read Early Stem Cell Transplant Recipient Says Success Was ‘In the Bag’

I’m honored that Dana-Farber is using my story in this way to prompt others to jump into the struggle with cancer that inevitably will affect someone you love, perhaps yourself, in 2023.

Since that Dana-Farber story was posted earlier this month, it has been shared far and wide across social media by countless individuals and groups. I was thankful to find that my alma mater, Babson College, shared the story across its social media.

Please: Make kicking cancer one of your own 2023 New Year’s Resolutions.

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Care to learn more?

This is a perfect moment to become one of Howard’s growing global community of friends by ordering your copy of his book.

Here are other articles we have published, exploring the launch of this book:

Take a look at the book’s Foreword: ‘Shining Brightly’ Foreword by Dr. Robert J. Wicks: ‘Learn anew about the American Dream’

And especially read this story: Two-time cancer survivor Howard Brown writes ‘Shining Brightly’ to encourage others to stay healthy

A Free Resource Guide

If you’re among the millions of Americans facing cancer, you’ll want to download a free-to-share resource guide from Shining Brightly:

• What are the ‘Keys to Resiliency when Confronting Cancer?’ Howard is freely sharing resources from the Discussion Guide for his new book—a page that lists 18 keys to resiliency that have proven valuable in his life and in the lives of people he has mentored through cancer.

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COVID-19 caused many Americans to fall behind on screenings.
Getting back on track with regular screenings is essential
to finding cancer early and taking control of your health.
A message from Cancer Screen Week.

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By HOWARD BROWN
Author of Shining Brightly

COVID knocked us all off schedule! That’s the nationwide consensus of healthcare providers. All of us need to share the news:

Cancer screening is your healthiest New Year’s resolution!

You can remind others simply by sharing a link to this column with friends and family via social media or email. See those social media sharing buttons at the top of this column? It’s so easy to spread this news.

We all can use this reminder, as a nation. That’s especially true of Americans from our all-too-often underserved minority communities.

If you really understand this challenge—perhaps your family already has struggled with cancer—then you’ll want to take a look at this amazing set of Resources provided for all of us for this year’s Cancer Screen Week. That page has colorful charts, posters and other social-media friendly resources you can share—including some options that highlight stories from minority communities.

As I’ve told the world in my memoir, Shining Brightly, a regular cancer screening saved my life. In fact, I wish I’d gotten around to asking for that screening years earlier. If I had scheduled that test just a few years earlier than I did, my struggle through surgeries and other agonizing treatments might have been avoided. Doctors might have found easily removable tissue, rather than the large tumor they spotted that led to years of treatments and a slow recovery.

Saving a life this way is sooo easy!

Just take a moment and check with your health-care provider. Today, there are easy ways to get screened, so don’t be afraid. After all: You want to enjoy the year-end holidays in 2023 with your loved ones, don’t you?

My New Year’s Resolution is to convince as many people as possible to get back on track with the regular screenings our doctors recommend.

And just maybe, if I’m good at my job as Cancer Screen Week’s Colorectal Cancer Ambassador, this year, I just might save a life or two.

And that will truly ensure a Happy New Year for countless friends and loved ones.

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Care to learn more?

This is a perfect moment to become one of Howard’s growing global community of friends by ordering your copy of his book.

Here are other articles we have published, exploring the launch of this book:

Take a look at the book’s Foreword: ‘Shining Brightly’ Foreword by Dr. Robert J. Wicks: ‘Learn anew about the American Dream’

And especially read this story: Two-time cancer survivor Howard Brown writes ‘Shining Brightly’ to encourage others to stay healthy

A Free Resource Guide

If you’re among the millions of Americans facing cancer, you’ll want to download a free-to-share resource guide from Shining Brightly:

• What are the ‘Keys to Resiliency when Confronting Cancer?’ Howard is freely sharing resources from the Discussion Guide for his new book—a page that lists 18 keys to resiliency that have proven valuable in his life and in the lives of people he has mentored through cancer.

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What’s on your Thanksgiving To Do list?

Don’t forget the wheelchair!

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By HOWARD BROWN
Author of Shining Brightly

Like most of you, we are checking off our family’s Thanksgiving To Do list:

• Turkey
• Stuffing
• Green bean casserole
• Salad
• Pies
• Brisket (yes, for us that’s a tradition)
• And, of course, the wheelchair, which I’ll need to pick up Mom from the airport

That last item is on the lists of millions of American families this week—and thank God for that! Our families are not allowing disability to keep loved ones from the traditional feast, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.

How many American families are affected?

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 13.7 percent of Americans have difficulty walking or climbing stairs—and 2 out of every 5 adults age 65 or older have some form of disability. (The CDC information is presented as a free “printable” graphic if you’re looking for something to share with friends to increase awareness of disability.)

And, then, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports:

More than 25 million Americans age 5 and older have self-reported travel-limiting disabilities. 13.4 million are age 18 to 64 and 11.2 million are age 65 and older. And, 3.6 million Americans with travel-limiting disabilities do not leave their homes because they are disabled or housebound.

Does that last number break your heart? That image of 3.6 million Americans staying home at the holidays because they can’t manage to travel certainly inspires me to continue our annual odyssey of helping my Mom—the matriarch of our family—safely reach our Thanksgiving table in Michigan.

Mom’s Odyssey Will Be Like Millions of Others This Week

Mom—or Bubby to her grandkids—is 76 this year. She’s a high-energy matriarch who is as determined to reach our Thanksgiving gathering as we are to help her join us.

Our story is familiar to many readers. It starts with her overall condition: She’s had joint replacement surgery; she had a slip and fall; she snapped a bone; she hurt her back; she needs another joint replacement. Bottom line: She’s in pain, even when sitting—but she’s in even more pain when standing or trying to walk. She can take steps with a cane or walker, but she needs a wheelchair for longer distances.

So, to reach our Thanksgiving gathering at my twin sister CJ’s house, this year, she and Dad will leave their Massachusetts home and drive to the parking lot where they can catch an express bus to Boston’s Logan airport. That means Dad has to help Mom safely get out of the house and get settled in the car. Then, before parking at the lot, he lets her get out near a bench at the bus stop. He parks the car and walks back to her bench. Then, he helps her climb the steps onto the bus, when it arrives.

The bus drops her near another bench outside Logan, where she sits while Dad goes into the airport and finds someone with a wheelchair to come get Mom and wheel her through the airport to their gate. Then, an airline staffer wheels her onto the plane and helps her into her seat.

When they reach Detroit’s Metro airport, all of that long process is reversed—until they reach the baggage-claim area where I’m waiting with our wheelchair. Then, I push her out to our car, so I can drive them the rest of the way to Thanksgiving.

The whole journey is painful for her, but she’s a tough cookie who would never think of staying home—as long as a few caring people along the way can help her with wheelchairs through those otherwise almost impossible stretches.  In this family—and with some gracious assistance from the airport staffs—we’re happy to help.

But, you know what? That’s not all!

So, Mom has reached the Thanksgiving table and—whew!—we’re done!

Think that’s all?

Hardly! If you’ve got a disabled loved one in your family circle, of course you want them to fully participate in the holiday feasts. But there’s always more to a holiday than a meal.

What comes next for Mom and the four now-college-age grandkids in our family? Like millions of other Americans, it’s hitting the Black Friday sales after Thanksgiving. Mom absolutely loves to treat her grandkids to new clothes. So, they help her into the car, then they wheel her chair into the stores near the fitting rooms—so she can express herself as they select something new to wear.

Does all of this take extra effort? Sure. Is she shouldering a little more pain with the bumps and movements back and forth into the wheelchair and through these jam-packed stores? Sure.

But—she absolutely loves the Black Friday tradition. She wouldn’t miss it as long as she’s still breathing. And we would never enjoy the whole holiday weekend as much without her.

Learn something new this year: How to Safely Make a Wheelchair Transfer

Let me leave you with one final helpful tip: Learn how to safely make a wheelchair transfer. Families who regularly use wheelchairs know this by heart, but folks who volunteer to help only on special occasions like Thanksgiving might not know this.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides this very helpful, printable guide to making A Wheelchair Transfer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know we will—because Mom’s at the table with us!

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Care to learn more?

This is a perfect moment to become one of Howard’s growing global community of friends by ordering your copy of his book.

Here are other articles we have published, exploring the launch of this book:

Take a look at the book’s Foreword: ‘Shining Brightly’ Foreword by Dr. Robert J. Wicks: ‘Learn anew about the American Dream’

And, are you intrigued by that cover? Check out: Thanks to artist Rick Nease, our book covers keep ‘Shining Brightly’

Want a personalized copy of Howard’s book? Howard Brown helps readers personalize their gifts. (Get yours now.)

Babson College shares the news, because this book includes so many inspiring stories about the college’s unique approach to teaching entrepreneurship.

An inspiring story to share: Howard Brown shows us the power of mentors to pay it forward, generation to generation 

Don’t miss: Howard Brown ‘Shining Brightly’—The Surprising Joy of Sharing Hope Each Day

And you’ll definitely want to see this video: Howard Brown appears on ABC 15 in Phoenix on Nim Stant’s Go All In.

Download (and free-to-share) resource guides for discussing Shining Brightly:

• First is What are the ‘Keys to Resiliency when Confronting Cancer?’ Howard is freely sharing resources from the Discussion Guide for his new book—a page that lists 18 keys to resiliency that have proven valuable in his life and in the lives of people he has mentored through cancer.
• Second is Why should we become mentors?
• And finally Interfaith Bridge Building: Why do this work? 

What can these three lists inspire in our lives?

You’ll find lots of ideas you can use! Here’s one example from Detroit, where friends gathered to plant trees in honor of a friend.

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