Blog

Elizabeth F. Franklin: We all have a story when it comes to cancer

Elizabeth F. Franklin/LinkedIn

Feb 5, 2025, 13:04

Elizabeth F. Franklin: We all have a story when it comes to cancer

Elizabeth F. Franklin, Head of US Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy in Oncology at Sanofi, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Cancer turned my world upside down when my dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer when I was a child. I did not understand much at the time except that he was in pain and the people around me seemed frightened. My delicate childhood bubble was pierced.

Years later, as a young adult, I’ll never forget when I got the phone call from my dad saying “Hey Bizi, everything is ok but…” So much hinged on those words and my heart stopped in that moment when he told me my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The concept of having one’s world upended is absolutely apropos when we, or the people we love, are diagnosed with a disease that could kill us.

These experiences led me to a career in oncology social work because I know how a diagnosis of cancer can translate into pain, grief, resilience, joy, and love. It is life altering to receive that diagnosis.

This World Cancer Day, I am participating in the upside-down challenge to share how we all have a story when it comes to cancer.

My parents and many more people I love are my stories. My home state of Kentucky routinely ranks at the top of states in terms of cancer mortality and morbidity. This disease turns lives upside down, but particularly when people are also facing poverty, structural racism, limited access to fresh and healthy foods, and a host of factors that can make a devastating disease even more challenging to face.

Join me, Sanofi and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) this World Cancer Day to show that every story is unique and this is about more than statistics.”

Elizabeth F. Franklin