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

Georgia Life Sciences Applauds Congressman McCormick for Introducing Federal Biotech Leadership Legislation

July 24, 2026
July 24, 2026, Atlanta, GA - Georgia Life Sciences applauds Congressman Rich McCormick (R-GA) for introducing the Biotechnology Diplomacy Leadership Act , legislation designed to strengthen America's leadership in biotechnology by establishing a senior biotechnology leadership position within the U.S. Department of State. As biotechnology continues to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and national security, the United States must remain a global leader in innovation while strengthening strategic partnerships with allies around the world. The proposed legislation recognizes biotechnology as a critical component of U.S. economic competitiveness and foreign policy and would help ensure that the federal government is well positioned to advance these priorities internationally. The legislation also reflects recommendations from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology , which called for a more coordinated national approach to advancing biotechnology and protecting U.S. leadership in this strategically important sector. "Georgia is home to one of the nation's fastest-growing life sciences ecosystems, and policies that strengthen America's global biotechnology leadership directly benefit innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and patients," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "We appreciate Congressman McCormick's leadership in recognizing biotechnology as both an economic engine and a strategic national priority." Georgia Life Sciences looks forward to working with policymakers at both the federal and state levels to advance policies that foster innovation, strengthen the U.S. bioeconomy, and ensure America remains the global leader in biotechnology.

Georgia Life Sciences Names Renee' Martin, Ph.D., Program Manager to Lead Flagship Educator Workforce Development Program

July 21, 2026
Georgia Life Sciences names Renee Martin, Ph.D., to lead its Teacher Training Initiative, advancing educator workforce development and Georgia's future life sciences talent pipeline.

Georgia Life Sciences Partnership Expands Plant Biotechnology Education for Agriscience Teachers Across Georgia

July 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 16, 2026 ATLANTA, Ga . – Eighteen Georgia high school agriscience teachers recently participated in a hands-on plant tissue culture training at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, equipping educators with biotechnology skills and classroom resources that will expand access to experiential STEM learning for students across the state. Hosted through a partnership led by Georgia Life Sciences (GLS), the workshop was facilitated by Julie Throne, Agriscience Teacher, FFA Advisor, and CTAE Department Chair at Cedar Shoals High School. Participants received practical instruction in plant tissue culture techniques using newly developed portable tissue culture kits generously donated by California-based Athena Ag. Plant tissue culture is a foundational biotechnology technique used in agriculture and plant science research to propagate plants under aseptic conditions. By incorporating these concepts into agriscience classrooms, educators can provide students with hands-on experiences that introduce biotechnology while building technical skills relevant to careers in agriculture and biotechnology. As part of the workshop, each participating teacher received two complete plant tissue culture kits to take back to their school, enabling students throughout Georgia to engage in laboratory-based biotechnology activities and explore emerging career pathways in the life sciences. "Providing educators with access to industry-relevant training and classroom resources is one of the most effective ways to inspire the next generation of Georgia's life sciences workforce," said Maria Thacker Goethe, President & CEO of Georgia Life Sciences. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping teachers bring real-world biotechnology into their classrooms while expanding opportunities for students to discover careers in one of Georgia's fastest-growing industries." The training is part of Georgia Life Sciences' broader Teacher Training Initiative, a statewide workforce development program that equips middle and high school educators with the knowledge, tools, and industry connections needed to deliver hands-on biotechnology instruction. Through strategic partnerships with industry, education, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative continues to strengthen Georgia's talent pipeline by connecting classroom learning with real-world workforce opportunities. Georgia Life Sciences extends its appreciation to Julie Throne for leading the training and to Athena for its generous donation of classroom kits, helping expand access to biotechnology education for educators and students across the state.
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