Featured Stories - Share Hope
We are featuring stories about people just like you, people who have made a difference and/or positive impact in the cancer community. We invite to share your story or a special someone's inspirational story that we might feature on our website. Please email us your story, the first name and initial of last name of the person the story is about and a photo (optional) to: hope@peersupportnetwork.org
Maria Ciesla
 Maria Ciesla, Alex Ciesla Cornwell, Liz Ciesla Hodgson |
It usually begins like this…."Hi Maria, I have a friend/ sister/ cousin/ aunt who has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and since you are proactive in the ovarian cancer advocacy, could I ask you to please call/e-mail her to talk?"
Thus begins another opportunity for peer support contact, not to give medical advice, but to tell her that I have been there, am still here, and will be here for her. And it is not just about ovarian cancer; just yesterday, I received a call from a very worried friend about her much-too-young granddaughter being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, That friend had learned from another friend that I had been given great tips from my oncology nurse at the beginning of my chemo that I now share, by request, with other chemo patients undergoing chemo. The circle widens, and I continue to pay it forward.
To backtrack a bit. Hi, my name is Maria Ciesla, and I'm 12 years healed from Stage 1-A ovarian cancer, with no recurrence: I am also brca1-positive, as are my two daughters and my brother When I began this journey, there was very little information out there for my family and me about ovarian cancer; but there was much peer support from a chapter of a major ovarian cancer informational organization. These women became new friends, and as I rose in the advocacy, many more new friends came into my life. While I am no longer actively involved in the organization, I still do much peer support, and am honored to be known for my strong voice and footsteps on this journey. I have been blessed to see all four of my children marry, and have welcomed six grandchildren - one more on the way, with hopes of a few more to come.
Over the years in this advocacy, I have become dear friends with the visionary founders of PSN, and am privileged to be asked to offer a few words in this section. What made me a strong voice for the ovarian cancer advocacy is what PSN will do for all living with cancer - whether patients or their loved ones.
The Internet has become a major force for good since my initial diagnosis; the PSN outreach will spread the word and offer real support, through those who have lived, and who are living, with cancer.
Come back to this site often, Survivors – reach out your hand in peer support. Newly- diagnosed and your loved ones - bookmark this site and refer to it often.
My fervent wish is that all living with cancer will have the same outcome that I have had. Medicine/research is important, but knowledge and support are invaluable partners with these disciplines in fighting cancer. At the end of the day, peer support is available where and when needed.
More than ever, we must support each other on the journey.