Living With Chronic Illness as a Black Woman: A Personal StoryI have been living with chronic illnesses for over 20 years. I was diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the prime of my life. As a black woman... By Racquel H. Dozier3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments6 comments
Have You Ever Thought About Becoming a Patient Advocate?Twenty years ago, when I was first diagnosed with a lifelong illness, I would never have imagined what that diagnose would mean and how it would change my life. All... By Vickie Wilkerson3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Advocating Like a Journalist: Tips for Sharing Newsworthy ContentSo much of how we advocate involves storytelling and creating content that leaves a lasting impression. It can be overwhelming to know what topics to focus on, what information will... By Natalie Hayden3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Getting Involved in Health Policy AdvocacyGetting to know your local senators and representatives and getting involved in health policy advocacy is a great way to make a positive impact on your community and the healthcare... By Aaron Blocker2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Cycle of AdvocacyAt the Social Health Network, our job is to help support you as you grow from a patient or caregiver to a powerhouse in the community. We want to give... By IlanaJacqueline4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What to Know About Health Leader CompensationTime and time again, we hear the question, “How much should I charge for my patient advocacy expertise?” It’s an ongoing and worthy debate for patient advocates in the health... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments11 comments
Fibromyalgia & Mental Health: This Didn’t Happen Overnight!Editor's Note: This piece has brief mentions of alcoholism and familial abuse. If you are a person living with fibromyalgia, it is very likely that you are also affected by... By Milly Velez2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Expanding Presence, Gaining Visibility, and Advocating For MyselfMany of us in chronic disease communities are well connected on social media and often share our personal experiences with our health and bring awareness to our conditions and obstacles... By Ella Balasa2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
When You Can't Be Physically There to AdvocateI came into the Patient Leadership Council as a contributing author and moderator for BladderCancer.net. I was honored to be my Mom's primary caregiver throughout her bladder cancer battle. The... By Charles Anthony Ulloa4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
An Interview With Kelly Cervantes, Author of Normal Broken: The Grief Companion...Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate. We had the privilege of interviewing her in light of her upcoming book: Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it’s... By Bridget Gawinowicz6 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Meeting a New Doctor, Again? 3 Simple Steps to PrepareWhen you’re a seasoned patient, it can feel like a drag to meet a new doctor for the umpteenth time. But for any number of reasons, we patients often find... By Diana Castaldini3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Advice for Getting Started in AdvocacyThe journey to begin advocacy can feel overwhelming. Many questions arise. How do I start? What do I say? Does anyone want to hear from me? We recently asked Social... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
What Does Advocacy Burnout Look Like for You?Burnout can be defined as a state of prolonged physical or mental stress. Its symptoms can include exhaustion, depression, anxiety, lack of joy doing activities that you previously enjoyed, and... By Editorial Team 1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
5 Reasons to Consider the Health Union Patient Leader Certification ProgramIn the realm of healthcare advocacy and patient empowerment, the role of Patient Leaders has gained significant importance. Patient Leaders play a crucial role in advocating for the needs and... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Community Views: Most Rewarding Advocacy ExperienceBeing a health advocate is such a powerful experience for a variety of reasons. To learn more about the ways this role has changed the lives of our Health Leaders... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
A How-To Guide for Self-AdvocacyAfter the initial shock of a chronic or terminal illness diagnosis, questions arise. What does this mean? How do I manage the symptoms? Can I afford my treatments and appointments?... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Connexion Replay: A Look At Health LeadershipHealth Leaders wear many hats. Some lead support groups, some advocate for their loved ones at the doctor's office, some work with legislatures to expand healthcare coverage, and more. In... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
REPLAY: How to Advocate for a Terminal Condition PanelWe were joined by panelists Olivia Salvo, Sarita Edwards, and Abigail Johnston as they discussed the differences, challenges, and opportunities they encountered while advocating for a terminal diagnosis versus a... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
People and Tools That Have Helped Us With Our Advocacy JourneysBehind advocates are people and resources that help them thrive. Family members or friends, apps or tools, each person’s supports are unique. The Social Health Network’s Facebook group recently asked... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Meet the 2023 Social Health Awards FinalistsWe’re excited to announce our 2023 Social Health Awards finalists! It's been an incredible experience for our judges (and our team) to get to know our Health Leaders better through... By Editorial Team 5 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments