Author: Shea Mencel, Co-founder, We Are Here | Certified Integrative Health Coach They tell you to fight for your life. But they rarely talk about what that fight might cost you. I’m a 2x breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at 29, with an MBC recurrence at 32. I often say my fertility journey was more traumatic than my diagnoses. When the …
We Are Here is proud to share that our co-founder, Shea Mencel, was recently featured on the Her Health Compass podcast in a powerful conversation with Suzanne Stone, CEO of the Livestrong Foundation, hosted by Yonni Wattenmaker and Heather Ouida. Her Health Compass is a platform dedicated to creating space for honest, human conversations about women’s health, survivorship, and navigating …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here This week, I was confronted face-to-face with my “why.” I seriously considered delaying my cancer treatment. Not because I was afraid of the medicine, or unsure of my care team, but because the system made it almost impossible to fit cancer into my life. I felt like I …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Stress is not just an individual experience. It is a physiological force with measurable effects on nearly every system of the body. Chronic stress can alter cardiovascular function, weaken the immune system, disrupt digestion, accelerate aging, and contribute to conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer (1,2,3). For patients …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here In our last blog, we talked about everyday healing habits—low-cost, accessible things we can do to feel more like ourselves. Let’s talk about stress. Not the kind of stress that passes quickly, like running late or losing your keys. We’re talking about the kind that lingers. The kind …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Introduction: Healing Isn’t Just Medical When you’re navigating cancer, it can feel like everything costs something – tests, treatments, supplements, support. For many, the financial toll becomes part of the trauma. But here’s the truth: some of the most powerful tools for healing are completely free. The way …
Author: Shea Mencel, Certified Integrative Health Coach & Co-founder, We Are Here Introduction: What You Can Control When you’re facing cancer, so much can feel out of your control – appointments, test results, side effects, and the overwhelming cost of care. But there are things that can help you feel empowered. Science shows us that nutrition, movement, rest, and even …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here Clinical trials are crucial for many patients, by providing access to cutting-edge treatments and playing an important role in advancing medicine. However, many patients – especially those from underserved communities- face obstacles that limit their ability to participate. Common barriers include logistical challenges, financial concerns, and a lack of information …
Author: The Clearity Team Introduction There shouldn’t be a trade-off between your health and your financial condition when you’re in a vulnerable scenario like being unwell or knowing that your care would be expensive. Many patients are striking back and gaining control of negotiations with hospitals and insurance companies over their medical bills. There is a good chance that if …
Author: Carol Wang, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Research, We Are Here Cancer patients face significant financial challenges, especially when participating in clinical trials. Financial toxicity, the economic burden caused by cancer treatment costs, impacts patients’ ability to engage in trials that offer cutting-edge therapies. Despite the promise clinical trials hold for advancing cancer care, financial barriers—such as out-of-pocket costs, employment disruptions, …
