IHadCancer is a

social support Social support is the perception and actuality that one is cared for, has assistance available from other people, and most popularly, that one is part of a supportive social network. These supportive resources can be emotional (e.g., nurturance), ...

network for

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

fighters, survivors, and their supporters. Built by Squeaky Wheel Media, the site launched in July 2011. IHadCancer was founded by Mailet Lopez and Anthony Del Monte and is located in

Chelsea, Manhattan Chelsea is a neighborhood on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The area's boundaries are roughly 14th Street to the south, the Hudson River and West Street to the west, and Sixth Avenue to the east, with its northern b ...

. In 2008, Mailet Lopez was diagnosed with

breast cancer Breast cancer is cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipple, a newly inverted nipple, or a re ...

. She decided to build a site focused on creating connections between people who can help one another in dealing with cancer through their unique experiences. As co-founder of Squeaky Wheel Media, she used the company's experience in web development and design to produce IHadCancer.com. According to Mailet, the name, "I ''Had'' Cancer" stems from her personal battle with the disease and represents the importance of a positive attitude and "looking towards the future". In 2012, Squeaky Wheel Media won the Webby Award for the Community Category for the site IHadCancer. The site went on to win two additional Webbys, both in 2015 and in 2016. Members can create personal profiles, invite others to their circle of friends and contribute to discussions. They can browse the community section and search for others based on gender, age, location, type of cancer and treatment.

References

{{Reflist Cancer organizations based in the United States American social networking websites Medical and health organizations based in New York (state) American medical websites