A frequently asked question is Why on earth would a health site use pin-ups?! It’s a fair and valid question and one that we’re happy and proud to answer.
Dear Thyroid is unlike any brand of thyroid support — Our website is written by thyroid patients, for thyroid patients. Community members write and submit love and hate letters to their thyroids, among other things. We are a literary brand. “Your Words. Your Disease” –Joanna Isbill.
The Pin-Ups are a call to action. Our thyroid disease and cancer IS real. Our thyroid disease and cancer IS sexy. Sexy enough to fund, endorse and find a cure for. There are over 50MM people with a thyroid disease and over 20MM don’t know it. Why? Lack of education, lack of awareness. Why? Simply no funding. Dear Thyroid endeavors to re-brand the face of thyroid disease and cancer. We are giving it a makeover in the hopes of being part of the thyroid movement that seeks change for thyroid patients — better care, funding, research and, hopefully a cure.
By pairing each literary submission, be it harrowing and heartbreaking, hilarious and irreverent or angry and at your wits end with a pin-up girl, while subversive, we are sending a clear message to the public at large, including the medical profession:
- LOOK AT ME.
- LISTEN TO ME.
- MY STORY IS IMPORTANT.
- MY STORY IS REAL.
- MY STORY ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE.
- MY STORY BARELY SAVED MY LIFE.
- LET MY STORY BE A CAUTIONARY TALE OF THE GRITTY REALITY OF MY DISEASE.
- MY DISEASE IS WORTH INVESTING MONEY INTO FOR RESEARCH.
- MY DISEASE IS WORTHY OF A CURE.
- MY DISEASE IS WORTH EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT.
- MY DISEASE DESERVES AWARENESS.
Additionally, these pin-ups are iconic images of perfect health and beauty; reminders that, although we as a community do not look and feel this flawless, we once did and we will again, BY OUR DEFINITION and OUR DESIGN.