Nine years ago, my stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t live in the same city as him at the time, but on a trip home, I joined him for one of his chemotherapy sessions. I’ll never forget that day. My mother and I sat with him in the sterile area the hospital had tried (and failed) to make look comfortable and relaxing as the blue bag of chemicals dripped into his veins. He fell asleep, but she and I sat silently, our minds working overtime on whether his treatment would work. (I’m sorry to say it didn’t.)
I remember noticing that many of the other patients were there alone. I was happy that my stepfather had my mom to join him each time, but I wondered if he and the other patients might benefit more by having other people around too—people who had been through chemotherapy and understood what he was going through, people outside of family, who weren’t so emotionally invested in his treatment, possibly preventing him from getting the kind of support he needed.
Recently I learned of an organization that does just that for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Carolina Breast Friends, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is committed to uniting and helping women with breast cancer in all stages of survival. One of the many support services they offer is inspiration groups, where survivors of breast cancer assist and support other women going through varying types of treatment.
Rene Timpone, Vice President of Carolina Breast Friends’ Board of Directors and a breast cancer survivor herself, says that companionship of women who have been through the same thing is a huge source of inspiration and support. “It helps take your mind off of what you’re going through. You end up laughing with each other as you face the biggest adversity of your lives.”
Other support services include inspiration jars, which are jars that are distributed to newly diagnosed women containing quotes and wishes from survivors, and comfort bags, which are full of products women will need to help them with their treatment. CBF has also established a medical fund to assist underinsured or uninsured women in paying for their treatment.
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