Voices of Survivors Foundation
Rating: 4.93 stars 57 reviews
Issues:
Location: Houston TX USA
Mission:
The “Voices of Survivors Foundation” is devoted to exploring ‘Survivorship’ and what that means to the individual ‘Survivor’, whether they are recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment or post-treatment, in a variety of documentary formats. We work with other individuals and organizations collaboratively on a variety of projects to further this exploration.
The face of cancer is one that the has been portrayed as that of only older people and children for so long but that face is not reflective of whom cancer truly affects. Cancer affects us all and each person who deals with this has their own definition of what being a ‘Survivor’ means.
The “Voices of Survivors Foundation” is a federally registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Results:
We have grown to over 200k site visits per month on the website.
‘Survivors’ from all over the world including, Africa, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and many other places have shared their ‘voice’ with the “Voices of Survivors Foundation”.
We are a member of the LiveStrong Global Cancer Summit and the LiveStrong Young Adult Alliance.
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10 people found this review helpful
Voices of Survivors is a wonderful foundation that helps give a voice to all people with cancer, particularly young adults. The Voices shared are so real and help others going through a trauma of a cancer diagnosis help realize that everything they are feeling is actually normal. As a cancer survivor myself, it has helped me by inspiring me to continue the fight.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Sharing my voice was a very healing and cathartic experience one for me. It was something I never experienced through any other type of counseling.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
I love the community that has been built up and how people who are "strangers" are able to find a common bond and become "friends." I've "met" so many people who encourage me during check-ups and celebrate my triumphs.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
PHENOMENAL!!! Lynn cares about each of his survivors and treats each "voice" as the individual that they are!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Be a worldwide oganization!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009-12-01
9 people found this review helpful
As a prostate cancer patient and 'survivor' I was able to share my story through VOS as well as being able to hear about other survivors journeys. The open and honest views of others dealing with cancer is an amazing thing... Offering support to others who have been diagnosed by sharing these 'Voices' was a great idea!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the 'Voices' shared by others... the stories are inspirational and by being shared, offer support to many other 'Survivors'.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the shared 'Voices' of ordinary people who offer hope and support for others.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Lynn Lane has amazing energy and drive while being compassionate and caring in bringing these 'Voices' to everyone who will listen.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
13 people found this review helpful
Voices of Survivors is an excellent resouce for first-hand, frank discussions of what cancer does to individuals -- in their own voices. Voices allows the so-called "everyman" to express what role cancer has played in his or her life. It acts as a guide or lamppost for people who may just be enter the confusing world of cancer treatments to see what they may have in store. I applauld Lynn Lane and his excellent site for all that it has done for cancer patients and survivors. There are many out there, and Lynn finds us and gives us a voice so we can help others.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...its many video or written essays about peoples' experiences with cancer and how they overcame the fear, anxiety and helplessness one can feel in that position.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...let it grown organically, on its own, as it resources allow.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
...the commentary from ordinary people who have experienced cancer, and how they overcame either their fears, their physical difficulties or their mental states of mind. It is a cathartic site that helps many people.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
...first-class. I met Lynn Lane, founder, via email and the Internet and believe he is sincere, honest, hard-working and dedicated to bringing health and cancer awareness to more people -- to all who will listen, in fact.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
...Bring the realities of cancer to more people and, perhaps, inspire more people to give to organizations fighting cancer.
Ways to make it better...
...tweets on Twitter focuesed more on the effort at hand and less on where you're dining on a given day. As a resident of Florida, I really don't care about the coffee house you're at or the burrito stand you've stopped it. Beyond that, not many gaffes.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
...getting enough people to know it's around. Especially within the cancer-treatment community. COntact oncologists nationwide to let them pass your site on to their patients. That might help.
One thing I'd also say is that...
...Lynn Lane is doing a great job and I wish him continued success with his project.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008-5-01
12 people found this review helpful
I followed Lynn on Twitter and was impressed by the way he spoke about Voices of Survivors and the amount of time and passion he put in it.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
learning so much about survivors and co-survivors that helps me by voluntering at local oncology ward. The stories also inspire me to do more for LiveStrong
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the passion Lynn has for his job, the great heart he and the people he talks to put into it and the fact that the stories are so personal and real
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
awesome and totally devoted.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
share even mor voices of survivors and co-survivors and help spread the understanding of what this disease does to people.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
9 people found this review helpful
My experience with Voices of Survivors has been an unexpected gift to me and my family. I had no intention of having 'my voice' heard or my story told ... I figured that when I had surgery to remove a Desmoid tumor, then I was done. That wasn't the case ... and there is SO much more that goes into being a survivor than the initial diagnosis and treatment. While those things are totally life-altering, I never thought to prepare emotionally for the after-effects. Voices of Survivors has given me an outlet for my emotional/mental responses to cancer. I've read stories of people who have been in this battle for many years and also newbie's like me - but we all share a common thread ... we are survivors of cancer and practice the act of survivorship in our daily lives. I am grateful to Lynn Lane and for the many wonderful people that I have met through VoS - without them, I would have never shared my story and realized the depth of emotions that comes along with this diagnosis.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
finding 'my voice' .... and realizing that I had much more of a story that needed to be told. Especially for my own growth and mental well-being.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It's very personal. No one puts on a front. No one pretends to be something they are not.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Lynn Lane - unwavering devotion to what survivorship means to each individual person.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Give a personal face to cancer and help others who may not have access to the resources that are available in that way.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
7 people found this review helpful
I frequented VOS' website after meeting its founder, Lynn Lane, at a LIVESTRONG function. Although I am not a cancer survivor, I find VOS' website invaluable to my daily life and to my journey to be a better person. I tune in daily to read the latest written word or to listen to the latest conversation. The voices of these survivors have taught me so much in the few months since I learned of the Foundation. These cancer fighters are so courageous and have seen life from a perspective that I have not. From each voice, I learn a little live lesson: how not to accept the status quo, how to be at peace with who you are; how to find humor in difficult times, how to stay true to your identity, how to fight, and how to love yourself. I am also involved in other cancer-related charities and I have friends who are currently in or have recently completed treatment. From VOS, I am able to direct these people to the site so that they can find a voice with whom they can relate and I have learned how to better relate to them. VOS has shown me that cancer-survivors are a special tribe of people. They are so more in the know and we can all learn from their experiences. Tune in.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In the Written Word, I read a survivor's voice about reconstructive surgery. So, I referred my friend, who has breast cancer, to VOS' site so she could read the story and gain another perspective. She sent me the sweetest email thanking me for my help.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
learning about survivorship, what it means to truly life and to own one's life. AND VOS' site is available to anyone, anywhere and it is free to view. A survivor has an immediate & free resource to find support.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
7 people found this review helpful
I was given the opportunity to share my "voice" on camera and write my story. Not only did this opportunity potentially help others not feel alone, but it was also cathartic for me. Whenever I begin to feel overwhelmed with fighting cancer, I always go to voicesofsurvivors.com. Reading and watching the videos help me feel a sense of community.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the amount of support I have felt.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
awesome!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
10 people found this review helpful
Voices of Survivors Foundation is an incredible vessel that allows the individual survivor to rip off the label of statistic to being that of mom, dad, sister, brother or friend. Though our experiences are different and though we may be at different places in survivorship; mentally, physically and spiritually, to have the venue where we can speak out and no longer be a poster child for the disease but an expample of determination to live is a great move forward into the healing process where the thriving begins.
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
give voice to millions of cancer survivors.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
6 people found this review helpful
As a cancer co-survivor I have learned a lot in reading and hearing the different stories cancer survivors have shared. I hope with time more stories by Co-survivors will be shared. The struggles for co-survivors are very different from those faced by the cancer patient. When my Uncle died following a massive stroke secondary to brain cancer, 5 yrs ago his battle ended. The family though is still working through the emotions of all that happened.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Is the huge heart of both Lynn Lane and the people who have shared their stories. You know they all have the heart to help others as their focus.
Ways to make it better...
If there were more stories from Co-Survivors.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
One thing I'd also say is that...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01
8 people found this review helpful
Voices of Survivors is an amazing non-profit that is dedicated to exploring what survivorship really means through personal survivor stories. It is incredible how powerful all these stories are for all of us no matter what shoes we are walking in (fighter, survivor, caregiver or none of these). When I read some of these voices in written word, it is like taking my daily medicine of hope and inspiration. The impact of the experiences and stories remind me what my real purpose is, they ground me and make me want to really make a difference in this world. I am reminded how fragile life is and how so many, like myself, have been given another chance at life. I feel so blessed to know about Voices of survivors and know this is a place I can always count on for daily inspiration.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
continuous inspiration, new friendship and hope.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
none
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
continuous inspiration, finding fellow survivors and nurturing new friendships.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
willing, determined and wonderful human beings.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change many lives as it already is just in a larger scale.
Ways to make it better...
It all great, nothing bad to comment on.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
getting it to be one of the mainstream tools to help people with cancer and life after cancer. This is a big part of what is missing in today's treatment and recovery program. We need to get V of S to the top where they have lots of exposure at large
One thing I'd also say is that...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010-1-01