Cancer Services provides support to patients, survivors, caregivers
{Contributed Photo}
When one patient was diagnosed with what she calls the "C" word, it was challenging to tell her family. "They already lost one of us this last year. I don't know how to tell ‘em that I might be next."
Her fellowship at the monthly Cancer Services support group was a "coming out." She came to the gathering seeking to learn more about the agency that provides physical, financial and emotional support. The group gathered on the shaded lawn of Cancer Services of Davidson County on 25 W 6th Avenue in Lexington. The area includes a community garden planted by Girl Scouts.
On this particular evening, this patient was met with a host of familiar faces. “I am sorry to see you here, but I am glad to see you here,” she said as friends welcomed her with hugs. Food was served by Hotdog Heaven with a side of a familiar smile from (founder/owner) Michael Evans Bey. He learned of the gatherings last year and was amazed by the survivor stories and atmosphere. "Everybody knows somebody with cancer. Sometimes you gotta hear the stories of people who made it." Evans took the extra step of carving pineapples for sweet drinks during the gathering.
This evening began with a greeting from executive director of Cancer Services, Ray Nance Howell. Howell hoped the gathering would feel like a casual family cookout. "Our support group meetings are at the heart of the emotional support we offer cancer patients." Howell said they host gatherings two or three times a month.
The event also offered a chance for caregivers in a special session by Jennifer Boyle. Caregivers were invited aside for a circle meeting. The former educator shared her story as a caregiver to her husband and board member Josh. She offered that “caregivers often feel guilty about taking time to care for themselves.” Boyle led the group in an exercise in which they turned caregiving goals for their loved ones into personal goals for themselves. Each caregiver was invited to share stories, recognizing that some were cancer survivors and caring for others. The group left with an optional self-care homework assignment.
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 15 percent of Americans care for or make health care decisions on behalf of family members or friends who have a disability or a medical, behavioral or other condition (including cancer, dementia, developmental issues).
“Unfortunately, many caregivers report high rates of unmet information needs, and research suggests that unmet information needs are associated with adverse health and psychosocial outcomes among caregivers,” according to a Health Information National Trends Survey published in 2019. “Furthermore, the physical and emotional consequences that caregivers experience when they lack adequate resources and support may interfere with their ability to provide their loved ones with optimal care.”
One caregiver recently moved to the area to assist “I didn’t know anybody else,” she shared after the meeting as she exchanged her cell phone number. “Glad I came, now at least I have a few friends.”
Howell said helping caregivers is critical for those battling cancer. “It can feel lonely. Cancer can take away a lot of things from people, but it can't defeat hope. When you make a donation to Cancer Services of Davidson County, you are making sure these patients are receiving hope for life.”
Upcoming Event: CANCER SERVICES OF DAVIDSON COUNTY TO HOST MOBILE MAMMOGRAM UNIT
On August 3rd Cancer Services of Davidson County will host Novant Health’s Breast Center’s Mobile Mammogram Unit. The Mobile Unit will file your insurance for you, and if one does not have insurance, they will simply need to go to Cancer Services and fill out the paperwork for a grant through the Novant Health Breast Center. There will be no cost to the patient. “Early detection is important for survival rates,” says Ray Nance Howell IV, the executive director of Cancer Services of Davidson County, Inc. “This is a great opportunity for our community members to get a chance to have a mammogram,” he added. Please call 336-249-7265 with any questions.
For information, visit Cancer Services of Davidson County (cancerservicesofdc.org). Cancer Services is a United Way of Davidson County agency.
