Bonnie Annis

August 24, 2022

Among the many lessons I’ve learned since my diagnosis with cancer, there’s one in particular that I refer to daily. It’s a lesson learned from wearing a pair of odd-looking shoes.

August 09, 2022

Hearing the news of Olivia Newton-John’s death shocked me. I’d loved this lady since the early 70s. But shock wasn’t the only emotion I faced — along with it came overwhelming sadness and fear.

August 08, 2022

It’s hard to watch other people fight cancer, but I must remember to stay inside my safe zone — my hula hoop — and only run to aid them when they ask.

July 28, 2022

I was feeling fatigued after undergoing breast cancer treatment, but once I started walking multiple times a week, I noticed that I felt much better.

July 15, 2022

If I make a wrong turn while hiking, I backtrack until I find my way again. I’ve decided that it’s OK to do the same thing when it comes to finding a cancer care team.

June 30, 2022

When I noticed the bare shelves in a recent trip to the grocery store, I started to think about how supply chain issues might impact cancer care.

June 23, 2022

Recent clinical trial results have given me new hope that one day soon, a cure for all cancers will be found.

June 09, 2022

One of the most loving things I can do for my family is to purchase life insurance, but my application was turned down, presumably because of my cancer history.

May 18, 2022

When my brother was diagnosed with cancer, I faced challenges of reliving my own journey while trying to help him know what to expect.

May 03, 2022

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, I’ve been vigilant about reading the labels of items I buy to see if they contain carcinogens, but I never thought about the potential chemicals in my drinking water... until recently.

April 22, 2022

There are so many things I wish I’d known before being diagnosed with breast cancer, but if I’d known them all in advance, I wouldn’t have learned many valuable lessons.

April 11, 2022

While wandering around an outdoor art exhibit, I found a sculpture that really spoke to my cancer experience.

April 05, 2022

After being diagnosed with cancer, I scoured the internet for ways to live as long as possible and found some helpful tips and not-so-helpful “cures.”

March 28, 2022

Since having both breasts removed in 2014, I’ve been on a hunt for the perfect replacements. Through trial and error, I’ve gone through the good, the bad and the ugly, but finally came across a product that seemed to meet my needs.

March 14, 2022

When two small spots appeared on my face, I couldn’t help but wonder if they might be cancerous. Had I failed to protect my skin with a hat or sunscreen? Suddenly, I was cancerphobic.

March 06, 2022

I was frustrated when I developed lymphedema after my 2014 breast cancer surgery, but have since turned those negative feelings into advocacy for others who may be affected by the condition, too.

February 25, 2022

As a cancer survivor, I know all too well the struggles with depression and sadness. Fold in those grey winter days and It makes for a disastrous recipe.

February 21, 2022

A look at a survivor's survivorship appointment and how being a “patient patient” helps tackle anxiety.

February 15, 2022

Many young people slip cell phones inside their bras or pockets without a thought, but I worry if that is a safe practice and wonder if it could lead to health problems — such as cancer — in the future.

February 04, 2022

I was hesitant to glance at myself in the mirror in the year after my breast cancer surgery. But I soon learned that I was more than just my image, and I encourage others to do the same.

January 27, 2022

A breast cancer survivor discusses how researching cancer risks and environmental factors made her feel better equipped with information against the disease.

January 17, 2022

One breast cancer survivor shares the experience she had with her daughters in trying to get them to understand the importance of participating in preventive screenings.

January 09, 2022

A cancer survivor explains her approach to New Year’s resolutions and how she plans to make her health a priority.

December 30, 2021

A person with cancer may naturally assume an oncologist will follow them throughout the course of treatment, but when that person survives for many years, things can rapidly change.

July 09, 2021

Celebrating “cancerversaries” is important to cancer survivors, but what happens when years pass, and the celebrations feel too good to be true? One survivor shares her story.

June 28, 2021

Many women with breast cancer choose to undergo reconstruction after mastectomy. Of those women, some opt for nipple sparing surgeries while others do not. “Those who choose to save their nipples are often disappointed when the tissue dies or no longer functions as it did before surgery,” writes one survivor. “But why are nipples so important?”

June 21, 2021

“Each person living with cancer has a story to tell, but some may choose not to share it because of its personal nature,” writes one survivor. In this piece, she describes how she found a way to give her story words.

June 11, 2021

“All women with breast cancer deserve quality health care,” writes one survivor. “But for an incarcerated woman, that care may not come in a timely manner, if at all.”

June 02, 2021

A senior cancer survivor shares her experiences with post-cancer finances and offers some advice to others in the same situation.

May 26, 2021

“Summer finds many of us outdoors and during that time, it’s important to protect our skin from the dangerous rays of the sun,” writes one breast cancer survivor. Learn more about how to use sunscreen, protect your skin and avoid skin cancer.