149. Turning Pain into Purpose: The Origin of Blue Faery with Andrea Wilson Woods

Andrea Wilson Woods, Gen X, joins Yo to discuss the book she’s edited: I’d Rather Be Dead than Deaf. The book is the journal of Adrienne Wilson, a teenage artist, poet, and Andrea’s beloved sister. Before her death from liver cancer at the age of fifteen, Adrienne expressed her funny, bright soul in this prolific journal. Her musings on life, relationships, music, love, and the beautiful grime of her adopted hometown of Los Angeles leap off the page; her deep sensitivity and perspective are captured in full-color prints of her award-winning artwork. We will all relate to their love story! Andrea is a keynote speaker, a writer who loves to tell stories, and a patient advocate who founded the nonprofit Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. For over ten years, Andrea worked in the education field as a teacher and professor for public and private schools as well as universities. Andrea obtained her master’s degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California; her nonfiction writing has won national awards. Her best-selling and award-winning book, Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days, is a medical memoir about raising and losing her sister to liver cancer.  Here are the topics we covered:       Blue Faery Foundation’s mission      Misconceptions around liver cancer       Adrienne’s view of herself as a leader       Challenging the common sense view of grief      Lessons learned leading Blue Faery         Advice for different generations Here are the three takeaways from the series: 1.   Adrienne didn’t see herself as leader but she is taking the lead to teach us about cancer and death through her art and poetry. 2.  Grief isn’t linear or predictable – It took Andrea 17 years to be angry. 3.   Liver cancer is filled with misconceptions with resources lacking to support patients, especially women, and Andrea’s book provides a voice from a patient to patients. As Mentioned: Andrea’s books: I’d Rather Be Dead Than Deaf ⁠⁠Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days⁠ Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Foundation https://www.bluefaery.org/   More About Andrea:  In 2002, Andrea founded Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association after losing her 15-year-old sister Adrienne, whom she raised for seven years, to stage IV liver cancer. Blue Faery’s mission is to prevent, treat, and cure primary liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), through research, education, and advocacy. Andrea established the articles of incorporation; wrote the bylaws, mission statement, and goals; and developed the organizational structure of the corporation. Currently, she attends board meetings, serves on committees, stays informed about liver cancer, and governs the organization. Andrea represents Blue Faery and its mission at conferences, seminars, and special events. Blue Faery has been honored for community service by U.S. Congressman Adam B. Schiff, California State Senator Jack Scott, and the County of Los Angeles, and was inducted into the Burbank Business Hall of Fame for receiving the Best of Burbank Charity Award from 2013 – 2017. Free Offer:  Free sample of the book: https://www.bluefaery.org/review     How to Reach Andrea: andrea@bluefaery.org   https://linktr.ee/bluefaery   How to Reach Yo Canny:   Our website: www.girltaketheleadpod.com  You can send a message or voicemail there. We’d love to hear from you!   email: yo@yocanny.com (Yo)   FB group: Girl, Take the Lead https://www.facebook.com/groups/272025931481748/?ref=share   IG: yocanny (Yo)   YouTube   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yocanny/