They Call Me Galvez

Thanks to everyone I’ve met in the past few years…  check out this book video!

I had spent my entire young adult life preparing for a career to help others rehabilitate from catastrophic diagnoses.  After almost 2 years working as a physical therapist, I received shocking news that I was the recipient of my own catastrophic diagnosis.  In September 2005, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I became someone I’ve spent years preparing to help.  Reversal:  When A Therapist Becomes A Patient is about my experiences as a young rehab patient and healthcare professional.  It is unique because it contains:

1. The humorous perspective of a young active male brain tumor patient that many people can relate
2. The logical perspective of a patient with a medical background when faced with difficult medical dilemmas
3. Multiple perspectives from the loved ones closest to a patient
4. A real time format that is easy to read and validates the authenticity of the situation
5. A book soundtrack available exclusively on iTunes
6. The perspective of a 2nd Generation Filipino American patient vs. the views of his overprotective traditional Filipino parents

This “blook” is my personal account of the first three years of my incredible journey.  In this time; I published the first edition of the book, walked 4 charity 5K walks; started the Tumors Suck! movement; started the nonprofit, mAss Kickers Foundation; emerged as a leader in brain tumor advocacy, became involved in the young adult survivor movement; and redirected my professional goals from a career  in physical therapy to a career in the nonprofit sector.  All the royalties from Reversal sales go to mAss Kickers Foundation. Please tell all your friends about it.

Reversal is now available on
Amazon.com

and as an ebook.

Amazon Kindle

Barnes and Noble Nook

Sony Reader

mAss Kickers Foundation brochure final

Check out the brochure. Please help us distribute to spread awareness at schools or work!

11/22/09 University of California at Berkeley Lecture and Book Signing Question and Answer session

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE! Just print out and post the logo where you work, go to school, or hangout. We need to spread the word about the young adult cancer/survivor population. NO ONE WILL DO IT FOR US. Wear a shirt or sticker to show support for adolescents and young adults like us that have to deal with a f-ing tumor/tumors. PEOPLE ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT EVEN IF A TUMOR IS NOT CANCEROUS, IT IS STILL A PRETTY TRAUMATIC OCCURRENCE!

There is no fundraising involved for Tumor Suck Day. The first step in fighting a horrible disease is raising awareness. What happened to HIV/AIDS? There is no cure yet, but incidence has decreased significantly in the past 10 years. Can WE do the same thing to cancer/tumors? Just digest these facts and spread the word.

1. Cancer incidence in young adults has doubled over the past 20 years
2. 70,000 people ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year
3. The survival rates for young adults with cancer have not improved as fast as the pediatric or geriatric population

Still waiting for young adult statistics on “non-malignant” tumors. There are many reasons there has been no improvement in young adult survival rates:

Part I
http://www.survivorcelebration.com/video/tumors-suck-2009

Part II
http://www.survivorcelebration.com/video/tumors-suck-2009-part-2

Part III
http://www.survivorcelebration.com/video/tumors-suck-2009-part-3

Keep those pics coming I have a few more videos in my head. Post your pics on the tumors suck group

Remember Tumors Suck Day 10/25/09! Do it for someone you love, especially for the forgotten young adult brain tumor/cancer patients.

Digest these facts!

Here are some interesting facts:
1. Cancer incidence in young adults has doubled over the past 20 years
2. 70,000 people ages 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year
3.The survival rates for young adults with cancer have not improved as fast as the pediatric or geriatric population

There are many reasons there has been no improvement in young adult survival rates:

* Doctors don’t take young adult patients seriously because they are not in the typical demographic for cancer, brain tumors, or some other life threatening disease leading to delayed diagnosis.
* Lack of research – Young adult patients often are not eligible for studies (too old for pediatric studies or to young for traditional studies) and there are few studies geared towards the 15-39 age group.
* Entry level jobs with poor healthcare – young people are just starting out so the costs of healthcare are not a priority. Early detection/education about warning signs is essential.
* “Superman” complex – Belief that nothing could ever happen to a young adult patient. They think they are invincible! Early detection/education about warning signs is essential.

Rock the logo that day! Click on the above logo, then print it out! Take pictures and let everyone know “Tumors Suck!”… Awareness is only the first step… thanks for your help!

Details:  Please register at http://www.hellsurvivors.com