Cancer survivors head to Albany to push for better care
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A group of cancer survivors and supporters from Western New York are traveling to Albany Tuesday to meet with state leaders and ask for better cancer care across New York.
The trip is part of Cancer Action Day, when people from all over the state come together to share their stories and push for new laws that could help patients and families.
'We've seen that when people from Western New York speak up and tell their stories, things really start to change,' said Dylyn Harrison, a volunteer with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. 'It's easy to feel like nothing you say matters, but it does — and that's why we're here.'
The group is asking lawmakers to support three main ideas:
Make lung cancer screening easier to get and more affordable
Update the state's paid family and medical leave rules (which haven't been changed in more than 30 years)
Expand help for patients navigating the health care system
Harrison says one big issue is how health insurance works for lung cancer tests.
'Lung cancer is one of the top killers, but only about 19% of people at high risk are getting screened,' she said. 'Sometimes insurance will cover the first test, but not any follow-ups, and that keeps people from getting the care they need. We want to fix that.'
Rhonda Hands, a 30-year cancer survivor, says lawmakers need to hear directly from people who've lived through it.
'I thank God I've been cancer-free for 30 years,' she said. 'But testing should be easy and affordable for everyone. There shouldn't be anything standing in the way.'
For these advocates, the trip to Albany isn't just about policy, it's personal. They're standing up for families and patients who need a stronger system.
Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Commissioner of Health gives tips on how to handle poor air quality
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6 Signs Someone Is Using You, According to a Psychologist
6 Signs Someone Is Using You, According to a Psychologist originally appeared on Parade. It isn't always easy to tell when someone is using you. Once you do realize that's the case, however, it's never a pleasant feeling. Whether someone is ghosting you, you're noticing some red flags in your relationship or you feel like they're trying to control you, trauma psychologist and spiritual integration expert says that there are always signs to look out for. "Many of us are familiar with the usual signs of exploitation such as a pattern of one-sided effort, manipulative guilt and disregard for boundaries,' she explains. "Accessing one's deep inner wisdom through honest soul check-ins can bring clarity and relief. If you recognize any of the following signs, you may want to explore the relationship, and most importantly, deep dive into your relationship with yourself." To create healthier interpersonal relationships and strengthen your boundaries, consider this list of six signs someone is using you as a surefire guide to avoiding it. Ahead, Dr. Harrison also shares commonly used manipulation tactics you should look out for, the impact being used can have on your mental health and how to further protect yourself from being a This cue is subtle but important. If someone is using you, you might find yourself constantly waiting for the next request or feeling like you can't relax because you're accustomed to stretching your boundaries for that person. "[It's] a sign that your nervous system is picking up cues and is on high alert," says Dr. Harrison. "While you may not be consciously aware... [they] have put you on hyper-alert status and this fight-or-flight signal is priming you to take notice. While many givers are pros at overriding their internal awareness, your soul is begging you to take notice and recalibrate how much energy you can actually afford to expend on this person." Most "users" thrive on using their charming nature to exploit those around them. If you find yourself constantly needing to please or wanting to feel validated by a specific person, then this could be a sign they're using you. "One of the most cunning aspects of a user's personality is their ability to use their intuition to turn you against yourself and make you completely dependent upon their approval," Dr. Harrison explains. "This disavowal of self occurs because the giver has grown so accustomed to abdicating their personal power in the service of others." She says that if this was in a "humanitarian context," your actions might be considered "pure gold." But when it comes to being used, it's "wasted currency." Giving to someone who constantly expects from you will make you feel worse and worse in the long run."Not only do you have the right to put yourself first and to be affirmed for being the uniquely beautiful heart that you are, but you also need to know that your limitless capacity for giving is being validated. Just not by whom you think," she If you feel like your relationship is constantly one-sided and your needs aren't being addressed at all, Dr. Harrison says this could be a sign that someone doesn't have your best interests at heart. "Users are famous for disappearing and only reappearing when they want something from you,' she explains. "They groom you into being at their beck and call at a moment's notice and then react to your needs with indifference at best and ghosting, at worst. All the while, you conveniently forget about numerous disappointments and times they have let you down." Relationships should be a give-and-take situation, with equal parts on both sides. So she shares that practicing generosity "shouldn't leave you feeling drained" and you shouldn't feel "selfish for having a need" or "less important." If you feel "generally depleted" by giving into your user's needs but never having yours met, this is a sign you're being This is another subtle sign that you're investing too much time in a user. If you find that you're making less time for other important relationships in your life in favor of one single person, they're using too much of your energy. And they absolutely know they're doing this to you too."Users follow a common playbook," Dr. Harrisons says. "It's actually uncanny how they seem to learn the same script."So because there is an innate "need" in us to "keep trying harder until we 'get it right,'" users know this and prey on it. "The inordinate time and energy investment demanded from users puts the rest of our relationships out of balance," she explains. 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She explains that for some people, it can be hard to "understand and grasp" the fact that constantly putting others first (at your own expense) saps their energy and harms them in the long run. On the flip side, she notes that "becoming reflexively self-preservative crowds out room for growth." "Both interfere with the process of becoming the highest version of oneself," Dr. Harrison shares. "Becoming aware of your personal patterns and establishing boundaries which preserve your core starts with awareness and a strict belief that you matter first."Up Next:Dr. Kirsten Viola Harrison, trauma psychologist and spiritual integration expert 6 Signs Someone Is Using You, According to a Psychologist first appeared on Parade on Jun 4, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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I Went for a Routine Blood Test at 21—What Came Next Changed My Life
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Perhaps the last thing that Ellie Harrison, now 28, expected to be told by nurses after using a routine at-home STD testing kit was that she had HIV. Harrison, who was 21 at the time, showed neither signs nor symptoms related to the virus, and was in a long-term relationship. Young and carefree, Harrison had rarely given her health a second thought, and was "shocked" to learn that she had contracted HIV without even knowing. While the result may have upended her personal life and made dating "a minefield," it has also transformed her into one of the the U.K.'s most visible young HIV activists. Harrison says that although her social life has become much more complex, her diagnosis has empowered her to speak out about the virus and the misconceptions around it. From left: Ellie Harrison smiles while sitting at a restaurant dining table; and takes a mirror selfie in her bathroom. From left: Ellie Harrison smiles while sitting at a restaurant dining table; and takes a mirror selfie in her bathroom. @elliestayingpositive "I suffered with a lot of self-stigma in the early days due to my lack of understanding of the virus," Harrison, who is based in Manchester, England, told Newsweek. "I now refer to my diagnosis as one of the best things that could have happened to me. "I've been able to ignite a passion for public speaking and activism, which I don't think I would have otherwise found." Over the past seven years, Harrison has reframed her diagnosis from a setback to a calling. She began publicly sharing her story under the handle @elliestayingpositiveonline, where she uses social media platforms to break down misconceptions about HIV, discusses medical facts, and speaks frankly about relationships and self-image. But while Harrison has found purpose in her activism, dating has been a more challenging arena. She has remained single since her diagnosis, a decision shaped less by choice than by the reactions she sometimes encounters. "Dating with HIV has always been a bit of a minefield," she said. "You can never judge what people's reactions are going to be like, and how that could make me feel." Although she has learned to be open and informative in her interactions, Harrison says many heterosexual people still know very little about HIV. This knowledge gap is often filled with fear, judgment, or outdated assumptions—particularly when it comes to women. HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If left untreated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the most severe phase of the infection. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV completely, but it can be controlled with proper medical care. Living With HIV "In the early days of my diagnosis I struggled with a lot of stigma, often met with confusion that a young woman could have contracted a virus, and it often led to questions around promiscuity," she said. "Unfortunately, I don't think the stigma has moved along much since the 1980s, especially within the heterosexual community." Harrison now works to combat that stigma by educating others about the realities of modern HIV treatment and prevention. A key message is U=U: undetectable equals untransmittable. This means that people who are on effective antiretroviral therapy and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot pass the virus on. "For me, I think it's important we educate everyone about the advancement of HIV medication," she said. "Removing this fear will hopefully make it easier for people living with HIV to talk more freely around their status. "An HIV diagnosis isn't the end, it is just the start of a new beginning." Alongside fighting misinformation, Harrison hopes to shine a light on another overlooked issue: the low rates of HIV testing and prevention among women in the U.K. In 2023, women accounted for 44 percent of new HIV diagnoses globally—but women represented only 3.1percent of people attending specialist sexual health services who initiated or continued use of PrEP in England in 2023. PrEP is a drug taken by HIV-negative people that prevents HIV infections. "We should talk more about the lower uptake in women taking HIV tests, or HIV prevention treatments," Harrison said. "Sex is often quite the taboo subject, which I think goes hand in hand with women having a strong aversion to going to STI clinics or testing in general." Harrison believes some of the blame lies with healthcare providers, who may not consider women at risk and therefore fail to offer them appropriate testing or prevention options. That lack of engagement leads to later diagnoses, which can have serious health consequences. She also pointed out that many women who are diagnosed with HIV feel pressure to keep their status a secret by brushing it under the carpet. She wants to change that by modeling a life not of shame or fear, but of achievement, fulfillment and happiness. "I'd like to use my voice to show women that there is nothing to hide or be ashamed of following a HIV diagnosis," she said. "I may have been single since the day I was diagnosed with HIV at 21, but I have also graduated from university with a first-class degree. "I have developed a very successful career and as an HIV activist have been offered incredible opportunities." Her accomplishments are not limited to her professional and activist work, as Harrison has also maintained a "wonderful" relationship with her parents, who have supported her throughout her journey. "I've also started living alone, met some incredible friends, and for the most part I've been really happy," she added. Harrison gained more viral attention on TikTok in April, after poking fun at her diagnosis in a lighthearted manner. The short clip has racked up 1.1 million views to date. She said she has been "blown away by all the support" and welcomes honest dialogue, even if it occasionally includes harsh opinions. "There's always going to be people who have harsh feelings around dating someone with HIV," she said. "But I often find they aren't the type of people I'd get on with much anyway, so it's not much of a loss." New Hope for HIV What drives her now is creating a world where young people, particularly young women, feel confident enough to take an HIV test and informed enough to live openly and fully with a diagnosis—knowing that it does not need to define them. "I absolutely love seeing other young people living with HIV speaking out," she said. "It's important to me that the media works to represent all different types of people living with HIV, whether that be sexuality, gender or race. "I think it's important to normalize HIV in the same way as other medical conditions, because if treated correctly, it can't be passed on and does not need to be a huge part of your life." In January, infectious disease experts spoke with Newsweek about HIV treatments and a potential vaccine on the horizon. Molecular virologist Jonathan Ball, deputy vice chancellor at the U.K.'s Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told Newsweek: "The major advances have been in simplified and/or long-lasting antiretroviral regimens, which can also be used to prevent infection." Antiretroviral medicines work by preventing the virus from replicating in the body, allowing the immune system to repair itself and preventing further damage. People who use antiretroviral medications can reduce the viral load of HIV in the body to undetectable levels, which can stop them from passing it to others. The 2024 breakthrough of the year, according to the journal Science, was with the drug lenacapavir, an antiretroviral medicine that performed very well in scientific trials. Dr. Robert Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told Newsweek: "This fall, a trial was published comparing the drug lenacapavir, injected once every six months, with a daily oral combination pill to prevent HIV infection in women in Africa. "The trial was a tremendous success and showed dramatically lower HIV transmission than with the oral drug," he added. Hopkins said that lenacapavir was expected to be reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year, with the potential to dramatically reduce HIV infection. "This will be a critical next step toward stopping HIV transmission, perhaps not in 2025 but hopefully in the near future," he said. Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
