• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Rss
  • Store
  • Donate
NCCS - National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • The 1986 Club
    • Ways to Give
    • Our Team
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA)
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
    • State of Survivorship Survey
      • 2023 Survey
      • 2022 Survey
      • 2021 Survey
      • 2020 Survey
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Advocate Engagement Opportunities
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Subscribe to NCCS Updates
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State-Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Integrative Oncology
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Telehealth
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2023 Winners
      • Awardees
      • Reception and Sponsorship
      • Committees
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable (CPR)
      • Spring 2023 CPR
      • Fall 2022 CPR
      • Spring 2022 CPR
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Virtual Symposium 2022
    • 2022 State of Survivorship Survey Results
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • 0Shopping Cart

Your generous year-end donation will be matched $1 for $1    DONATE

NCCS Advocate Spotlight: Betsy Glosik, A Cancer Survivor's Journey Through Integrative Healing and Advocacy

Betsy Glosik: A Cancer Survivor’s Journey Towards Integrative Healing and Advocacy

March 8, 2023/in Advocate Spotlight, NCCS News Integrative Oncology, Quality Cancer Care, Quality Measurement, Survivorship Care Advocate Spotlight, NCCS News

Betsy Glosik headshotAdvocate Spotlight: Betsy Glosik

For Betsy Glosik, the early 2000s brought one trauma after another. She lost her aunt to melanoma. Then, tragically she lost her 20-yr old daughter to a car accident. In 2003, after years of mentioning her concerns about a mole on her foot to her dermatologist, and repeatedly having her concerns dismissed, Betsy was diagnosed with melanoma, which was treated with a skin graft and a lymph node biopsy to confirm the cancer had not spread. Through this experience, Betsy learned to trust her instincts and be her own advocate when it comes to her health. This lesson was reinforced when she was diagnosed with a second cancer — breast cancer — in 2007 after a radiologist noticed a tumor that was difficult to see on a mammogram. Betsy knew that if someone hadn’t looked at it the right way, it could have impacted her survival. She had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, but not before firing her first oncologist and finding someone who would listen to her concerns and work with her to find the best treatment plan. Betsy’s experiences have taught her the importance of being proactive about your health and asking questions to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Betsy had an allergic reaction to her first chemotherapy infusion. Reassured that additional Benadryl would help her tolerate the second treatment, she moved forward. Just moments into the 2nd treatment, Betsy went into anaphylaxis, her heart rate dropping to just 40bpm. Thankfully, her care team was able to revive her. It became clear that she’d have to take a different route to healing. Together with her new oncologist, Betsy chose a different treatment typically used for metastatic breast cancer patients. After years of trauma coupled with the physical side effects of treatment, Betsy intuitively knew she needed more. “Stress was a clue,” she said, “it got me to think about what else I could do to help myself that wasn’t another drug. Something that would be empowering.” She already had a consistent exercise regimen, but learned more about the benefits of yoga, nutrition, massage, acupuncture, and improving her gut microbiome. Betsy shares, “Integrative modalities are going to be the game changer for so many people and make a big difference in not just surviving but thriving.”

Betsy and other NCCS CPAT advocates at a CPAT Symposium event.

Motivated by her own experience, Betsy founded the nonprofit Destination Hope, which offered retreats to cancer survivors providing them access to integrative modalities and the creative arts. Building on her advocacy work, Betsy joined Bag It Cancer at their annual ESCAPE to Thrive conference, where she first encountered Shelley Fuld Nasso, NCCS’s CEO. Moved by the presentation, Betsy become an NCCS Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) member in 2015. In 2016, Betsy received a scholarship to attend the Society of Integrative Oncology’s (SIO) annual meeting. There, she became a champion for more organized and active involvement of patient advocates. She co-chaired SIO’s Patient Advocate Committee for 6 years, and Betsy remains an actively involved advocate with both organizations.

In 2018, Betsy joined NCCS’s Redefining Functional Status committee, which highlighted how challenging it is for cancer patients to return to “normal” after treatment. Betsy points out, “there are side effects both physically and mentally that may or may not ever leave us. So the challenge is to drop the idea of returning to ‘normal’ and assess what it truly means to function with new limitations imposed on us by treatment, live our lives fully, and work to improve the medical system so that these issues are recognized and addressed throughout survivorship.”

Betsy’s been an instrumental voice in developing NCCS’s Integrative Oncology patient information page to create awareness for evidence-based modalities that can improve a cancer survivor’s quality of life. Betsy joined with other NCCS advocates to share her insights and recommendations for the Enhancing Oncology Model that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing. The project aims to improve patient care across participating organizations.

Betsy asserts that “Giving the patient perspective on what is imperative to improve the efficacy of care is essential.  For instance: Issues such as accessibility to treatment can’t just be noted and become a statistic in the project.  Oncology practices need to step up and address how they can work (perhaps with community partners) to actually change how care is delivered once the roadblocks to care are uncovered. Recognizing deficiencies in the system is not enough; we need to take action to address these issues and find impactful solutions. Patient advocates are the voices that can give the most clarity on what needs to be addressed and give suggestions on impactful solutions.”

“Cancer advocacy is urgent,” says Betsy. There is “a sense of urgency to get something done because our time is short, and we recognize it more than the majority of the population.” Her advice to others wondering what they can do to become an advocate: “Engage with people. You’ll find that you’re not alone in it, and that there’s power in that. There’s so much power in what you can do as an individual. Your experience and your health goals matter.”

Betsy presents integrative oncology research that she co-authored.

 

# # #

Learn more and Join the Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team »

Tags: Advocacy, advocate spotlight, Cancer Survivorship, CPAT, Survivor Stories
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on LinkedIn
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Betsy-Glosik-Advocate-Spotlight-Blog-Banner.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-03-08 12:55:132023-03-08 12:55:13Betsy Glosik: A Cancer Survivor’s Journey Towards Integrative Healing and Advocacy

Latest News

Brett Wilson – Navigating Childhood Cancer and Finding Purpose in Advocacy

September 13, 2023
Advocate Spotlight: Brett Wilson Brett Wilson's cancer experience started when she was just two years old. Her mother was concerned…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Brett-Wilson-Advocate-Spotlight-Blog-Banner.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-09-13 13:55:422023-09-13 14:29:44Brett Wilson – Navigating Childhood Cancer and Finding Purpose in Advocacy

Registration Open: 2023 State of Survivorship Survey Results Briefing | October 3

September 7, 2023
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) conducts an annual State of Survivorship Survey, in partnership with Edge…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/Survey-2023-briefing-mc-1200px-2-1.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-09-07 11:00:202023-09-07 11:00:20Registration Open: 2023 State of Survivorship Survey Results Briefing | October 3
We did it! DIEP Flap Codes Saved

CMS Announces It Will Retain Breast Reconstruction Codes, A Reversal That Protects Patient Access to DIEP Flap Surgery

August 22, 2023
Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will retain procedure codes for breast cancer reconstruction,…
Read more
https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/DIEP-Flap-Reconstruction-CMS-Codes.jpg 600 1200 NCCS Staff https://canceradvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NCCA-Logo.png NCCS Staff2023-08-22 14:26:202023-08-22 14:26:20CMS Announces It Will Retain Breast Reconstruction Codes, A Reversal That Protects Patient Access to DIEP Flap Surgery

Take Action

Link to: Survivorship Champions

Become a Survivorship Champion

Survivorship Champions is a program for all clinicians and researchers, both oncology and primary care, who are interested in improving survivorship care and primary care’s role in caring for cancer survivors.

Learn More and Join »
Link to: Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)

Join CPAT

The NCCS Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team (CPAT) is a program for survivors and caregivers to learn about pressing policy issues that affect quality cancer care in order to be engaged as advocates in public policy around the needs of cancer survivors.

Learn More and Join »
Link to: Survivor Stories

Share Your Story

NCCS represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. By sharing your story of how you have been touched by cancer, you are supporting the national cancer survivorship movement.

Share Your Story »

STAY CONNECTED

Together we can improve cancer care for survivors! Sign up to be the first to know about cancer policy issues and ways to take action

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our History
    • The 1986 Club
    • Ways to Give
    • Our Team
      • Policy Advisors
    • Employment
    • Partnerships
    • Financial Information
  • Policy
    • Quality Cancer Care
    • Access to Care
    • Health Equity
    • Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act (CCSA)
    • Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)
    • State of Survivorship Survey
      • 2023 Survey
      • 2022 Survey
      • 2021 Survey
      • 2020 Survey
    • Redefining Functional Status (RFS)
  • Get Involved
    • What is Advocacy?
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
    • Advocate Engagement Opportunities
    • Survivorship Champions
    • Subscribe to NCCS Updates
    • Elevating Survivorship
    • Survivor Stories
    • Cancerversary
    • State-Based Cancer Advocacy
  • Resources
    • COVID-19 Resources for Cancer Survivors
    • Survivorship Checklist
    • Cancer Survival Toolbox
    • Cancer Rehabilitation
    • Integrative Oncology
    • Publications
      • Talking With Your Doctor
      • Self Advocacy
      • Employment Rights
      • Remaining Hopeful
    • Telehealth
    • Taking Charge of Your Care
    • Care Planning for Cancer Survivors
    • Tools For Care Providers
    • Order Our Resources
  • News
  • Events
    • Ellen L. Stovall Award
      • 2023 Winners
      • Awardees
      • Reception and Sponsorship
      • Committees
      • Nominations
    • Cancer Policy Roundtable (CPR)
      • Spring 2023 CPR
      • Fall 2022 CPR
      • Spring 2022 CPR
    • Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) Virtual Symposium 2022
    • 2022 State of Survivorship Survey Results
    • Webinars
  • Contact Us

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
8455 Colesville Road  |  Suite 930  |  Silver Spring, MD 20910
877-NCCS-YES  |  info@canceradvocacy.org
Privacy Policy  |  Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 1995-2023 by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, NCCS, Cancer Survival Toolbox, and related Logos are registered in the United States as trademarks of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

Webinar – Implementing the ASCO Guidelines for Exercise, Nutrition, and...Implementing-ASCO-Guidelines-Webinar-Post-webDiane Heditsian PBS Newshour DIEP FlapNCCS Advocates for Access to DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Scroll to top
Download the Survey Report

"*" indicates required fields

Fill out the form below, and we’ll send the survey report, detailed presentation, and infographic to your email.
Name*
I am a...*
Select any/all that apply.
Consent*
By downloading the survey materials, you will receive updates and information from NCCS via email, which you may unsubscribe from at any time. Your information will never be sold to any third parties.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download the Survey Report

"*" indicates required fields

Fill out the form below, and we’ll send the survey report, detailed presentation, and infographic to your email.
Name*
I am a...*
Select any/all that apply.
Consent*
By downloading the survey materials, you will receive updates and information from NCCS via email, which you may unsubscribe from at any time. Your information will never be sold to any third parties.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get Updates From NCCS

Be the first to hear about cancer policy and survivorship issues! Subscribe and receive the biweekly NCCS Health Care Roundup, invites to webinars and events, and more.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect With Us

Twitter     Facebook     Instagram     LinkedIn     YouTube

Harmar Brereton, MD

Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

 

“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”

—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute