Blog

October 1, 2020

By Anne Dabbs, 
NCAN TN Chapter Leader, NET Patient

This year, I am finding particular comfort in the observance of Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Day. With 2020 being the most bizarre year on record, I see November 10th as a beacon of hope. This date is a constant in our calendar year. Many of us will wear our zebra striped clothes and accessories. I expect to see hashtags and profile picture speciality frames aligning our identities with zebras around the world. And, I imagine there will be a greater number of us this year evaluating our personal goals about increasing awareness of our rare disease.

In the four short years since my own diagnosis, I have seen a measurable amount of information and support increasing  from groups outside of our speciality organizations. I get fewer “deer in the headlights” looks when I share my story. The expanse of knowledge about NETs is growing which means additional research, treatments, and diagnostic tools are also increasing. This is great news and worthy of celebration, but we can’t stop there. We all need to do our part to continue to increase awareness of Neuroendocrine Cancer, pushing our cause forward, reaching for earlier diagnosis, and dare I say it, a possible cure.

To paraphrase a quote from Betty Friedman: “Having Neuroendocrine Cancer is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” Let’s use that opportunity and strength to raise awareness and to further support our zebra community.

• What can you do?
• How much are you comfortable sharing?
• What actions can you take to engage others?

No effort is too small, and all efforts have a ripple effect.

Like so many other 2020 events, NCAN’s Strides for Stripes Awareness Walk will be a virtual format this year. Many of us will be participating by walking together with our “socially distant pods” and posting photos and/or videos on the NCAN Facebook page using #ZebraWalkAcrossAmerica. We hope you will JOIN US on November 8th and observe NEUROENDOCRINE CANCER AWARENESS DAY by Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk!

We hope to see you there!

REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL WALK HERE

Find out more about how YOU can help the NET Community.

Disclaimer: NCAN blog posts are the opinions of its writers and are not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Please consult your Health Care Providers for individual concerns.