Episode 40: How to Be Present for Youth Adults with Cancer with Abby Westerman

May 31

Overview

Abby Westerman is the Co-Founder and CEO of the b-present Foundation, which was established in memory of her daughter Kirsten, whose battle with cancer inspired her to improve the experience for both young adults with cancer and their supporters. They are working to provide the resources that they wish they had as part of the support network and ignite a movement among young adults to amplify the importance of presence. This has been one of my favourite episodes I’ve recorded so far and there’s so much important information in here about what good communication sounds like, how to be there for others, and connecting with people as people, rather than treating them like a patient.

Highlights & Takeaways

The b-present Foundation has 2 key programs: b-aware and b-there, which provide the information and tools that empower the social support network to be present from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond
“The interesting thing with a cancer diagnosis is that it makes communication just awkward and hard. You know, we're very careful about what we say. We don't want to hurt feelings. We don't want to ask for help. We don't want to be conveying a sign of weakness.”
“The thing that Kirsten appreciated most was when people came into the room and treated her like a human being first, and as a patient second.”
How being authentic and matching the other person’s energy are key components of being present
The story of Abby attending EDC, an electronic dance music festival that Kirsten had purchased tickets for, and how it was an transformative experience