Young Adult Cancer Survivor Joins Cancer University
BIRMINGHAM, Ala: Cancer University aka Cancer U is honored to have Mark Kelly, a young adult cancer survivor and advocate, on its Patient and Caregiver Advocate Board (PCAB). The PCAB is composed of 11 members who are cancer patient survivors or caregivers. They represent a broad range of cancers including prostate, breast, skin, lung, colon, liver, and more.
Initially, Cancer U was having trouble recruiting men to its PCAB even though men are more likely to get cancer than women in the United States. CEO and Co-Founder Andrea Wilson Woods stated, "I wasn't sure if it was an issue of men being less likely to speak up about their experience with cancer. But then Mark and I met on LinkedIn. After he fearlessly shared his story with me, I knew he was the perfect person to represent young adult cancer patients at Cancer U."
Mark said, "I joined Cancer U to help share my story and encourage survivors along with current patients to persevere and never give up on the goals you have in life."
When Mark was 16 years old, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare — usually terminal — pediatric cancer. The doctors put Mark on an experimental protocol that included chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Mark believes his strong faith in Jesus, his doctors, family, and mother helped him persevere. Mark attended Gordon College and was hired by ESPN as a researcher. During his 10-year career, Mark won two Emmy Awards for his work on SportsCenter, Cold Pizza, ESPNNEWS, College Basketball, and Major League Baseball. In 2008, Mark retired from ESPN due to the side effects of his cancer treatment. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease along with lymphedema. Mark established CKMagicSports where he has produced and hosted over 130 podcasts. This summer, Mark will publish My Scars Tell A Story, his memoir about dealing with cancer.
Cancer U is an online membership platform that empowers and educates cancer patients and caregivers to become advocates during their cancer journey. Through coaching, teaching, and training, Cancer U shows its members how to thrive during cancer. A Cancer U membership includes courses, trainings, and workshops as well as a private, safe, online forum that connects the community of patients, caregivers, survivors, and providers. Cancer U has conducted a beta test of its flagship course The Proactive Patient, an orientation to cancer. Currently, Cancer U is recruiting payers and hospitals for its free pilot program.
