Seeing reality: Cancer patient criticizes overly hopeful marketing
Lori Wallace, after living nearly a year past the median survival rate for women with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, knows she’s on borrowed time.
Knowing such a reality, the mother of an 11-year-old boy is irked by the “excessive positivity” in healthcare marketing. In a story on NPR.com, Wallace sees advertisements selling stories of miraculous recoveries and happy, healed patients.
"I didn't say 'yes' to cancer," Wallace says. "I have tried everything I can. I have done clinical trials. I have said 'yes' to every possible treatment. And the cancer doesn't care."
In the story, the San Jose, California, resident talks about her essay for a support groups called, "F*** Silver Linings and Pink Ribbons.” She also stresses the need for realism in dealing with cancer.
Check out the story here:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.