For most people, the diagnosis of cancer is frightening, but information is power. Since 1944 CancerCare has tried to soften the blow by offering educational programs and free professional support for the individual patient, family, friends, and caregivers. Unique to this national non-profit agency is the fact that it is staffed by 45 trained oncology social workers that understand that having cancer means something different to each person. They attempt to answer individual questions and conduct in-depth counseling in a number of innovative ways. During the initial period, the patient is often overwhelmed by new medical terminology and treatment options. He may be simultaneously struggling with physical demands, or financial setbacks and insurance problems. CancerCare tries to toss an emotional lifeline to 90,000 clients annually.

Education and information has always been at the heart of their service. Years ago shame kept many patients from discussing their cancer diagnosis, thereby preventing them from sharing valuable information that could make a difference in decisions about their own care. In addition to telephone counseling and their in-house group sessions and counseling, CancerCare operates telephone education workshops that use physicians, oncology nurses and social workers to discuss topics like side effect management and cancer survivorship.

Technology Widens the Support Network Most recently, use of the Internet brought an explosion of educational possibilities, and Beth Friedman, Senior Program Coordinator of Online Services, and clinical social worker at CancerCare, was visionary in opting to use online services as an adjunct to the existing in-person and telephone counseling groups. Not all patients are physically or emotionally able to attend group sessions, and in 1996, Friedman realized that online use meant that CancerCare could facilitate support groups anywhere throughout the country. With the use of Internet services, time zones would no longer stand in the way of communication between members.

Initially postings on three open bulletin boards offered a forum for patients needing general cancer information, post-treatment support, and bereavement assistance. Those early groups mushroomed within a few years into 28 more focused member-only groups using passwords that now address specific cancers, caregiver issues, and bereavement. Even young people have a group of their own to deal with cancer issues on their own developmental level. Group membership is rolling, with the members screened and group size limited to 30 during a six-month period. A social worker is assigned to moderate to ensure that the group's needs are met and to drive the topics forward. They act as a resource to any patients in crisis and can reach out when they sense a problem. In addition, social workers are assigned to each member enrolled in order to evaluate and facilitate any other services appropriate, such as application for financial aid. Although the Internet allows some social workers to work from home, all have had previous experience with CancerCare's services.

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