About Us:
I Had Cancer is a cancer support community that empowers people to take control of life before, during, and after cancer. Cancer can be isolating and scary, but I Had Cancer allows cancer fighters, survivors, and their supporters to find real support and real answers from those who have been in similar situations. Members can search the community by type of cancer, age, gender, location, year of diagnosis, and type of user to find someone who matches their specific situation. This peer-to-peer support is crucial for first hand experiences about treatment, side effects, long term effects of survivorship and more. Most importantly, it allows you to get support from a community who understands and lets you know you are not alone.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to empower anyone who has been affected by cancer - whether they are fighters, survivors or supporters/caregivers - to find the support and answers they need from people who have been through similar experiences.
Who is I Had Cancer for?
- Fighters: People currently diagnosed with cancer who are looking for information and support from other people who have been there or who are going through similar experiences.
- Survivors: Those who have overcome their diagnoses and are looking for support through survivorship, or hoping to inspire and help others who have been recently diagnosed.
- Supporters: Caregivers or supporters who have been with their loved ones through their cancer diagnoses and are looking for support or to exchange information.
Our Story:
It all began with three words: "You have cancer." Mailet Lopez was 33 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. She had great support from family and friends, but still found that they couldn't fully understand what she was going through. She spent a lot of time searching online, but couldn't find a resource that easily connected her to someone who could answer all of her questions:
"Should I get a second opinion?"
"What are treatments like and how do I deal with side effects?"
"How do I tell the rest of my family and coworkers?"
"What are my options with fertility?"
It was only by chance that she found her cancer hero - a woman who was a survivor of the same cancer; who was around the same age; and who just happened to be in the same waiting room as Mailet. She was able to answer many of the questions that Mailet had, including valuable information on treatment options. Most importantly, she was someone who really understood first-hand what Mailet was going through.
It was this encounter that made Mailet realize that when it's life and death, nothing should be left up to chance. Mailet wanted to help the next person who was affected and change the way people deal with cancer. Taking advantage of her unique position as the co-founder of an award-winning digital agency, Mailet, along with founder Anthony Del Monte, leveraged the talent and experience of their team at Squeaky Wheel Media to build IHadCancer.com.
So why I HAD Cancer? By using the verb in its past tense, we aim to create a message of hope, optimism and positivity in working to move forward.
In less than two years, the I Had Cancer community has grown to thousands of members in more than 110 countries. In 2012, it was recognized by the Webby Awards as the Best Community Website and in 2013, Parade Magazine listed I Had Cancer as one of seven social networks that could save your life. But more importantly, by the community itself - just read our testimonials to see why our members think you should join IHadCancer.com.
