MyLifeLine Joins Cancer Support Community
In Big Advance for Patients, Cancer Support Community Adds Digital Nonprofit MyLifeLine to Its Network
As research shows more consumers are searching online for health information, this union will deliver innovative digital services for cancer patients
The Cancer Support Community (CSC), an international nonprofit organization, announced today that MyLifeLine, a foundation whose digital platform has been engaged in transforming the experience of cancer patients over the past decade, will join CSC to bring together more than 30,000 patients, survivors, and loved ones in search of connection and community.
The addition of Denver-based MyLifeLine adds to the global network of 196 service locations, including 47 CSC and Gilda's Club affiliates, partnerships with hospitals, and educational resources that touch one million people each year. CSC's role as the leading voice for patients also includes in-depth research and policy advocacy.
"Together, we will build on our shared mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, and we will do so in an innovative, groundbreaking way," said Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of CSC. "We will transform the way individuals whose lives are disrupted by cancer get information and build a community of friends and family to help them through this experience. We will also increase the patient's voice in policy debates and form new partnerships with corporations, foundations, and other organizations."
Marcia Donziger, a cancer survivor whose personal experience and that of her friends inspired the creation of MyLifeLine 10 years ago, will join CSC as Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development.
"I believe this collaboration is a major victory for people impacted by cancer. As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the stress, anxiety and isolation that cancer inflicts upon patients and their families," Donziger said. "MyLifeLine was created as a gift for all patients diagnosed after me. I wish I had a tool like MyLifeLine to help me coordinate the care and support I needed. The Cancer Support Community elevates the MyLifeLine community in a meaningful way by integrating their award-winning cancer education materials and personalizing the resources based on everyone's unique situation. This new endeavor is a dream come true for me as I have admired the work of Cancer Support Community for decades."
Thiboldeaux and Donziger said they are committed to a seamless transition that engages the individuals and groups that rely on both organizations' services.
Jan. 30, 2018 —Today, the Cancer Support Community and MyLifeLine are announcing a major step forward for cancer patients.
MyLifeLine will become part of the CSC family to create an even more dynamic and innovative support network for patients and their loved ones.
Together, we will build on our global network of CSC and Gilda’s Clubs affiliates, partnerships with hospitals, 196 locations where services are available, and educational resources that touch one million people each year.
MyLifeLine’s digital platform, which has been engaged in transforming the experience of cancer patients for the past decade, brings to CSC more than 30,000 patients, survivors, and loved ones in search of support and community.
As research shows that more and more consumers are turning to online resources for health information, this alliance positions us to deliver expanded digital services in an innovative, groundbreaking way.
In addition to marking a milestone for the delivery of resources and psychosocial support, this combination of educational content and digital resources enables us to do even more to advance our shared mission. We can increase the patient’s voice in policy debates and form partnerships with new companies and organizations that want to help patients living with a cancer diagnosis.
As we embark on this new endeavor, we are also committed to ensuring a smooth transition that engages the individuals and groups that rely on both resources—and have established one-stop shops on both websites to help answer questions and provide updates.
In fact, Marcia Donziger, a cancer survivor whose personal experience and those of her friends inspired the creation of MyLifeLine 10 years ago, will join the Cancer Support Community as Vice President, Digital Strategy and Business Development.
We are so thrilled to share this news and look forward to sharing with you the new advances that will help ensure no one faces cancer alone.
Kim Thiboldeaux
CEO, Cancer Support Community
Marcia Donziger
Founder, MyLifeLine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MyLifeLine?
MyLifeLine believes a strong support community is critical to healing. The mission is to empower cancer patients and caregivers to build an online support community of family and friends to foster connection, inspiration, and healing through free, personalized websites. MyLifeLine benefits include helping each patient take back control while receiving social, emotional and practical care from loved ones to ease their daily burdens.
Why is MyLifeLine becoming part of CSC?
MyLifeLine is becoming part of CSC to create a more dynamic and innovative support network for cancer patients and their loved ones online and at brick-and-mortar locations. We believe our merger is a 1+1 = 3 equation and a major step forward for cancer patients.
What will the organization be named?
Cancer Support Community is the name of the organization. MyLifeLine is the name of the online community platform where patients connect with their own friends and family for support.
How will the new organization function in comparison to CSC and Gilda’s Clubs affiliates?
MyLifeLine is not an affiliate. It is a digital patient-centric community platform now offered by CSC for affiliates to leverage and grow their networks. Affiliates will be able to offer MyLifeLine to patients and caregivers as a solution that will ease these families’ daily burdens while giving an additional sense of hope, optimism and meaning to the experience of cancer.
How will MyLifeLine users learn about the affiliate network?
The 30,000+ active patients, caregivers, friends and family currently using MyLifeLine will now see a promotion of the CSC network affiliate map on every patient community site. Our longer-term development plans include figuring out how to recommend specific affiliates by the zip code each patient or caregiver identifies as their own. When a patient signs up to use MyLifeLine to ease the communication burden with family and friends, we will customize each patient community site with a link to their local affiliate’s events and programs.
Questions for MyLifeLine Members
Will you still provide the services I use?
Yes, the same service will continue to be provided.
Will the services still be free?
Yes.
As a MyLifeLine member, will my personal data still be protected?
Yes, your personal data will be protected. We will not sell or share your information with outside groups.
What changes could I see?
CSC’s logo and a link to its resources will be on every page. We encourage you to discover the many wonderful resources now available through CSC. They also have an Affiliate Network. Make sure to check if there is a local affiliate in your area, so you can access a variety of in-person support programs. Over the next few months, we will be integrating CSC’s education, information and resources in a customized way to your personal community page. Our longer-term goal is to build the gold-standard customizable platform for you to build your community. We will be offering the right resources for your unique situation at the right time. We will also be asking for your feedback along the way!
If I have made donations to MyLifeLine, will my contribution continue to be used to strengthen it?
Yes. MyLifeLine and CSC will pool resources to create a more dynamic and innovative support network for cancer patients and their loved ones online and at brick-and-mortar locations. We believe this is a major step forward for cancer patients, and we would not have made it to this point without the generosity of supporters like you.