Breast Cancer Survivor & Boston Influencer Built Cancer Patient Community

BOSTON (CBS) – Throughout high school and into college, Alicia Staley of Middleton dreamed of being an astronaut. A quick look around her home office and you will see a small model space shuttle and NASA stickers all over her laptop. “Unfortunately, I had to give up my dream of being an astronaut after being so sick.” Alicia was diagnosed with lymphoma during her sophomore year at Syracuse University. She managed to stay in school while enduring months of grueling chemotherapy and radiation. “It was tough. I felt extraordinarily alone,” she recalled. She beat the lymphoma, only to be diagnosed years later with breast cancer. This time she didn’t feel alone, thanks to a friend who suggested she look for support using social media. “Within 20 minutes of joining Twitter, I felt like I hit the lottery,” she said. After connecting with others battling cancer, Alicia and two other women decided to start a weekly Twitter chat using #BCSM for Breast Cancer Social Media. They had 75 people join the chat that first night in July of 2011. The community has grown ever since. “We can run a one hour chat and receive upwards of 5 million impressions,” she shared. Boston influencer Alicia Staley started weekly Twitter chats using #BCSM. (WBZ-TV) Alicia invites doctors, researchers, and drug companies to share information with the community every Monday night, and they rarely skip a week. The #BCSM community has done more than just offer information and support for peo...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Featured Health Boston Influencers Breast Cancer Source Type: news