The power of the survivor story lies in its ability to fracture the isolation that defines trauma. For the person listening, it is a lesson in empathy. For the person telling it, it is a reclamation of power.

For awareness campaigns, this is the holy grail. Empathy is the prerequisite for action. Whether the goal is to raise funds for breast cancer research, change laws regarding sexual assault, or reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, a compelling survivor story acts as a Trojan horse for the facts.