Pfizer’s Amplify Humanity Quilt Includes Man Up to Cancer
Something happens to a person's spirit when they go through cancer, and you can most often see this change reflected in the eyes.
It's a wisdom that comes through suffering, pain, and grief that inevitably bring forth courage, resilience, and compassion.
The eyes of a cancer patient or caregiver say to a stranger: I don't know what you are going through but I see your burden, I know how much it weighs, and I'll walk with you.
This is what strikes you when you see the faces of the Amplify Humanity Quilt, a unique collaboration between Pfizer and leading oncology patient advocacy groups including Man Up to Cancer. It features the faces of dozens of cancer patients and survivors, caregivers, and advocates. The quilt was designed and created by Joseph Thatcher, an oncology nurse and mixed-media artist, and it will be traveling the globe for major oncology events.
I had the honor of meeting Joseph in San Diego last week for the unveiling of the quilt at Pfizer's annual Patient Steering Committee Meeting.
If you look closely, a few squares below the "H", you'll see a photo of the original leadership team for Man Up to Cancer: Joe Bullock, Don Helgeson, Mike Riehle, Jay Abramovitch, Danny Riggs, and me. Danny died earlier this year after living bravely for five years with metastatic breast cancer.
Now, I know that thousands of others will see Danny's bright smile that he generously shared with us as a leader of our movement.
I also take comfort in knowing that Danny will continue to change lives through his advocacy, long after his passing. The Amplify Quilt initiative supports the pediatric patient advocacy organization, the Oliver Patch Project (OPP), which uses the power of patches to mend, heal, and foster a community grounded in love and support.
To date, OPP has provided over 100,000 patches of love and encouragement to children, teens, and young adults facing cancer and mental health challenges around the world — reminding them that they are seen, valued, and never alone.
Fly high Danny, we pick up your banner and carry it forward.
#AmplifyHumanity #QuiltOfHope #OncologyCommunity
- Trevor Maxwell, Founder
