Whoohoo! We made it! A herpes ‘real life’ story, and a mention for Living Sphere in a national women’s magazine.
A HUGE thank you to Kim for allowing them to use her story, to Sarah for liaising with the mag, to GSK for providing the factual stuff. . . and all you guys for being the inspiration for me to keep on pushing herpes awareness!
Don’t miss out on your copy of Woman’s Day this week. It’s the July 24 edition with Tom & Katie on the cover – page 72.
And, if you want to let them know how important it is to get that kind of real life experience out there in the media, email the mag (after you have read the story) and let them know what you thought of it – womansday@acpmagazines.com.au (and CC us too please!)
Thanks so much for letting us know as it’s not a magazine I’d normally read…. Was great to see this story
Now to get something in a magazine men read too!!
My ‘Thank You’ letter was also published in Woman’s Day:
Dear Nicole
I wanted to thank you personally for running the ‘real life’ story in your herpes feature.
It has been my dream for several years to get this type of story in a mainstream national magazine. The importance of telling the real story from the patients perspective cannot be underestimated. There’s a wealth of factual information available, but from my experience people need that emotional support and the strength which comes from knowing someone else has been there, gotten through the hard times, and is doing OK now.
Kim’s story is one of the most encouraging stories I have ever read. She is a real trooper and a wonderful example of the positive change which can come from making the effort to become better informed, and receiving that all important support and encouragement from her peers.
I also loved the layout – the two part advertising feature from GSK tied the whole thing together and made it appear (almost) like a two page feature on herpes.
Your recommendation to go online to our website was an added bonus for me personally, and I was particularly flattered by the comment “This great website. . .”.
So thanks again for your wonderful support, courage to take on the topic, and the fantastic coverage. It is all much appreciated by myself, my partners in Living Sphere, members of the herpes community and fellow herpes awareness campaigners like myself.
Regards
Jeannie May
Great letter Jeannie, and nice to keep the spotlight on too