Patient’s Corner: Living with Chronic Illness Vol. 3

By Dorothy Leone-Glasser

Breast cancer survivors face many challenges while going through treatment and in post treatment.  They experience a wide range of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual pain. There are lingering side effects to treatment that are long term and can be hard to manage. Many times, the fear of what will happen is overwhelming.  Cancer survivors live with fearing a recurrence, especially with Stage 4 Cancer. This is especially real for women of color, since they have the highest recurrence rates and the highest mortality rates.  

I met Tiah at an Rx in Reach GA Coalition Capitol Day. Being a survivor of Cancer myself, we knew women we would have a special bond. When we look at the journey of a woman living and thriving beyond cancer, oftentimes they don’t get a chance to take a break from the day-to-day challenges of life.  These women are mothers, daughters, sisters and aunties, caregivers and pillars of their families. They are leaders in their community and on their jobs and so much more. One of the biggest needs is how to manage or cope with their daily life challenges while healing from the devastation of cancer and the damaging toll of treatment. Patients seldom receive the information and counseling on how to re-enter life. Cancer survivors and their families and friends need the education, resources and guidance from a healthcare team that supports the health of their mind and body.

Here are some ‘Tips’ from Tiah:

  • SEE ME AS A PERSON BEFORE SEEING ME AS A PATIENT. We are more than our disease.  We have families, friends, jobs, hobbies, goals and dreams.  When you are treating me as a patient, remember – I am not a “one size fits all”. I am uniquely me!  Take time to learn a little bit more about me and what could potentially be barriers to my care.   
  • BE PATIENT WITH ME. What you see on the outside is not always a reflection of what’s going on the inside.  As a patient, I may not always verbalize how I truly feel or the problems I face.  Many patients don’t want to be seen as a burden so we just keep our superhero capes on and press our way through.
  • CANCER IS COMPLICATED. SOMETIMES WE AREN’T GIVEN THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS OR ARE MISDIAGNOSED. Because I look healthy or are very young doesn’t mean I am not seriously ill. I know when something is wrong with my body. I need a care team that hears me.  
  • SOME DAYS I JUST DON’T HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ADVOCATE FOR MYSELF.   This is why having a caregiver/advoacte is so important. 
  • LIVING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS CAN BE VERY EMOTIONAL . Cancer comes with the challenges of side effects of treatments and drugs, isolation, fear and anxiety of disease progression or recurrence; all causing a rough ride on an emotional rollercoaster.
Tiah Tomlin headshot
Tiah Tomlin
Founder & CEO,
My Style Matters

Dorothy Leone Glasser headshotDorothy Leon Glasser
Executive Director, Advocates for Responsible Care
Co-Chair, Georgia Bio Patient Advocacy Alliance

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By Maria Thacker Goethe • August 29, 2025
Investment in early-stage life sciences companies is critical to sustain America’s global leadership in discovering and developing new medical breakthroughs for patients, according to a recent General Catalyst blog, “ The Future of Life Sciences Investment .” Early-stage life sciences companies are unique for their ability to leverage specialized scientific knowledge and a nimble structure to pursue new, innovative approaches to treat a disease. However, these companies often rely on external investment, such as from venture capital (VC), to be able navigate the cost pressures and considerable risks associated with early-stage drug development. Life sciences mergers and acquisitions (M&A) represent a clear exit point for VC investors, attracting investment and allowing companies of all sizes to combine their complementary resources, skills and expertise to bring new medicines to patients. Amidst an increasingly challenging investment landscape, preserving M&A is critical to continue supporting the hundreds of pre-clinical companies working to bring new therapies to patients. Highlights from the blog are included below: “Over the past decade, the biopharmaceutical industry has quietly produced a steady drumbeat of significant medical advances…Despite these advances, there’s global pressure to innovate faster. While the U.S. has historically been the global leader in scientific research and development, it now faces increased international competition…” “For America to maintain its competitive advantage, it must continue investing in research and clinical development… We believe that venture capital can meaningfully contribute to fill this investment gap, providing support for America’s continued ability to innovate and advance global human health." “This isn’t just our belief — venture-backed companies are driving enhanced R&D productivity and efficiency. Recent data shows that roughly 65% of new medicines originated from outside of large pharmaceutical companies.” “We believe the most meaningful breakthroughs in life sciences are rarely achieved in isolation. They’re the result of deep, sustained collaboration — between scientists and clinicians, industry and academia, and increasingly, founders and investors.” As this blog highlights, life sciences M&A remains a critical pathway for fueling investment and supporting America’s role as a global leader in life sciences innovation. Policymakers must recognize the value of life science M&A and support enforcement policies that encourage these pro-competitive partnerships and the innovative medicines they bring to patients. About the Partnership for U.S. Life Science Ecosystem (PULSE) The U.S. life sciences ecosystem depends on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as other collaborations to bring together the resources, investment and expertise needed to develop and deliver new treatments and cures for patients. PULSE is dedicated to raising awareness about the unique life sciences ecosystem and the importance of M&A in leveraging efficiency and experience across companies of all sizes. PULSE will help advance a national dialogue focused on fostering innovation across the life sciences while supporting a competitive U.S. market that advances next generation treatments and cures for patients. For more information, visit https://pulseforinnovation.org/.
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