Spread Hope: Share your Cancer Story

In 2014, over 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. Globally, cancer incidence is on the rise and it is anticipated to claim the lives of approximately 13 million people by 2030. These aren't just statistics. They're our mothers, fathers, sisters, sons, and friends.

Take Elana Simon. At 12 years old, Elana was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer. At the time, surgery was the only effective treatment. Luckily, her tumor was caught in time. At 18 she is now cancer-free and a co-author of a recently published Science paper on a breakthrough that has the potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of this cancer. By sharing her cancer story, Elana is helping other patients and their families cope with the illness.

Thanks to research, breakthroughs are occurring every day, giving hope that there will come a time when all our sisters, brothers, parents and children will live free from the fear of cancer. In the meantime, you can provide hope to those affected, and show them they are not alone in this fight, by sharing your cancer story — whether it's your own or that of a relative or friend.

Cancer touches all of us. Sign if you agree that cancer is more than just a statistic and share your cancer story to provide hope to others.