In Memory Of Jessie Gruman, Patient Advocate Extraordinaire
Earlier today I was on one of my regular healthcare Twitter chats and I heard the news that the wonderful patient advocate Jessie Gruman has died. I was so shocked and deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Jessie was one of my first heroes of patient engagement and I often quoted her in my talks.
A three-time cancer survivor: at 20 she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, at 30 she developed cervical cancer, and at 50 she developed colon cancer, she used her personal and academic background to understand how people respond to serious illness. In 2007 she published AfterShock: What to Do When the Doctor Gives You — or Someone You Love — a Devastating Diagnosis.
Jessie was president and founder of the Center for Advancing Health, a nonpartisan, Washington-based policy institute which, since 1992, has been supported by foundations and individuals to work on people’s engagement in their health care from the patient perspective.
She was a brilliant speaker and a cogent writer on the issues that effect patients and in her desire to see patients at the heart of healthcare. Last year I was honored to be asked by her to contribute to a Cancer Survivorship series on her website, and in my email interactions with her she was so kind and encouraging to me.
Jessie Gruman will be deeply missed as a compelling voice for the patient. We who mourn her passing will continue her work in her memory.
Hello Marie,
I too felt so saddened and shocked by this news. I surprised myself, in fact, by the depth of my sadness all morning as I kept reading all the fine tributes pouring in via social media. I’d never met Jessie in person, but she and I had talked over the phone at length and, like you, I’ve been quoting her wise words for years.
As I told Goldie at CFAH today, Jessie had been a survivor for so long, I guess I just expected she’d just keep on surviving anything. May she rest in peace at last.
hugs
C.
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Carolyn, you put into words just what I was thinking too. With the time difference I didn’t hear the news until a few hours ago and it was in the middle of a twitter chat. I couldn’t continue with the chat as I was so shocked and saddened. As you said, she was one of those stalwarts in life that you expect to be around for ever. A sad day for those who were closest to her and for those of us who admired her deeply. Thanks for taking the time to comment – I appreciate it very much.
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dear Marie, I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend, Jessie, and will hold you and her family close to my heart to offer comfort. I know the kindness and encouragement she gifted you with will never be forgotten, and will surely be a generous addition to the legacy she left for us all.
much love,
Karen xox
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Karen, you’ve been on my mind. I was going to email you and see how you are doing. In fact, I;ll go do that right away x
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I’m so sorry for your loss, and that of the caner community, Marie.
Are you still away in the land of Oz? I’m headed back to Dublin in 2 weeks, myself.When you are back in Dublin, we must definitely catch up
Hugs
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Hello dear Chari, how lovely to hear from you again. I am still down under but returning to Dublin very soon. Looking forward to hearing about your adventures!
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Great post, Marie. I, too, was incredibly surprised and saddened to hear of Gruman’s death. I somehow felt like I knew her; she was so accessible during a #BCSM tweet chat. I have her Aftershock book, and it is tremendous.
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Thanks Beth for sharing your comment with us here. Jessie left a huge impression on those who knew her even at a distance
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Virginia Sloan, Jessie Gruman’s sister-in-law, asked CFAH to share this note from Jessie’s family:
Jessie’s family is incredibly overwhelmed and honored by the outpouring of love, admiration, and grief following Jessie’s death. Though we knew this was likely Jessie’s last cancer, she and Richard, Jessie’s husband, and my brother, fought so tenaciously for so very long.
A light has gone out in our family, and we greatly appreciate knowing that you share our devastation, shock, and loss. I’m sure you will hear more from us, but please know what a comfort it is to read all of these blogs, tweets, and other posts.
Thank you,
Virginia Sloan
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