Meet New Board Member Tom Anderson
No one chooses to be a cancer patient and that certainly is true for me. Double the case for me, since I am a two-time cancer survivor. Cancer diagnoses are at an all-time high, but the cancer survival rate is also at record levels. For those who receive a treatment plan which includes a bone marrow transplant, there’s an even greater chance of survival than other forms of cancer treatment. We live in an unparalleled time of cancer diagnosis and treatment plans, and advancements are happening every day.
It may sound strange, but I am proud to be a member of the cancer community because I am a two-time survivor. The current score: Tom 2, Cancer 0. Survivorship is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. My mom was also a two-time survivor and I am proud to carry on that family tradition. Your world is shaken on the day of your diagnosis; that is a date no cancer survivor ever forgets. You go from the diagnosis stage to the treatment stage and move on to your new role as a cancer survivor. Right now, there are over 18.5 million cancer survivors who are alive today and that is a number we all need to celebrate.
Which brings me to my new role as a board member for the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link. My mission is quite simple: I will do anything to help the cancer community, patients, caregivers, survivors, and providers. Support is so important to all three of those previously mentioned stages. Hearing someone say “you have cancer” is a horrifying experience but the best way to overcome that fear is with knowledge. The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link has podcasts, blogs, Lunch & Learns, webinars and much more. How do you like your information? We have you covered—with education, mentoring, small group get togethers, and the knowledge and emotional support you’ll need to see you through that turbulent time.
My cancer treatment was immunotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment that is showing great promise – just look at me! But immunotherapy is a relatively new form of treatment that I struggled to find answers to those questions about the process, side effects, aftereffects, and chances of survival. I did not have a resource like the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link and that is why it is so important to me to help others understand and utilize all that is available to them through the Link. This truly is a priceless resource.
The other side of the story is having the opportunity to work on new projects and programs for visitors of the nbmtLINK. At the end of every conversation with another cancer survivor, I am always more inspired than when that conversation began. I never tire of that experience. I also like to listen, hear your ideas about improvements and then work on bringing those projects and programs to fruition. Let me finish with what I mentioned before: I will do anything and everything to support the mission of the National Bone Marrow Transplant Link and I can’t wait for you to share your thoughts with me. Please feel free to send me an email, tganderson1952@outlook.com if you want to start a conversation.
Thank you and I am looking forward to a long and productive relationship!