MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy - 20

Powerful Patient Stories DIVING DEEPER
Health Literacy
Q & A with Michelle Anderson-Benjamin
1. What does health literacy mean to you?
Health literacy starts with understanding that you matter and your health
matters. So, it is important that we instill these values in our children and
family members so they can advocate for themselves. As a mother of two,
my role since my children were born is to make sure they were armed with
the tools to advocate for themselves.
2. What is your advice for individuals who do not have
the educational background as you do on how to become
health literate. What is the importance of
health literacy in your cancer journey?
My advice to anyone that does not have an educational
background is to find your village. Sometimes your
village is strangers going through the same journey as
you. I became an ANGEL Advocate because I wanted to
learn more and meet others like me. I was also determined
to use my story to empower others. Being diagnosed with
metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (MTNBC) was
not part of my life story; when I was a young girl my
goal was to travel the world and live life fearlessly. After
being diagnosed, I had to reset my mindset and realize
that having cancer doesn't stop that dream. To
fulfill my bucket list I had to educate myself on
my illness so that I can advocate for the best
treatment plans.
3. What has been your experience
in becoming a Tigerlily
ANGEL Advocate?
Being part of the Tigerlily Family gives
me a village of supporters, but also a
community I belong to. When I was
first diagnosed at the age of 36, I felt
isolated because I was seen as too
young to have cancer. Also being a
Woman of Color, I stood out at the
cancer center. Often, I had to advocate
for myself due to those factors,
but I knew that my advocacy was
creating change for others. Becoming
an ANGEL advocate allows me to meet
and network with so many great women.
Having a strong supportive village makes a
difference in this community. It means you're
never alone, there is always a sister by your side
ready to conquer the world with you.
20
MY LIFE MATTERS
HEALTH LITERACY ISSUE | SUMMER 2023
MY LIFE Matters - Health Literacy

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