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Neighbors
May 3 – 16, 2014
www.SanTanSun.com
CANCER SURVIVORS FROM PAGE 49
who had ever been through cancer. We spent a lot of time Googling it, meeting all of these people, to figure out how to comfort her. “We want to take the burden of others, by researching the right people and having them all together in our network, so a woman can find everything she needs without having to spend tons of time on the phone.” In 2011 they launched My Hope Bag, and began providing free pink bags filled with supportive resources for breast cancer patients, delivered by survivors themselves. They include items to support women during treatment, like a blanket for a cold treatment room, a water bottle, candy to suck on, a heart to squeeze, magazines to read and a notebook of survivors and services providers. In August, the group will host its third annual expo for patients, connecting cancer patients to a variety of vendors who specialize in supporting their needs. It also holds regular potlucks and volunteer bagging sessions to bond. “Aug. 26 will be my three years cancerfree,” Poling says. “I will be with friends and family celebrating life. “I am so blessed because I have an amazing circle of friends and family. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings, even though your family may not totally understand. Just be able to say, ‘I am having a bad day.’ It was totally stepping out of my comfort zone to join this group. But it’s the best thing I ever did. As
AUGUST EXPO: A free Aug. 23 Breast Cancer Research Expo at the Tempe Mission Palms aims to connect breast cancer patients and survivors with a growing network of support. Learn more at www.myhopebag.org. Submitted photo
ugly as breast cancer is, there is just some amazing beauty in it, in the friendships made along the way.” The group is growing throughout Arizona, and has begun to send the free My Hope Bags nationwide. Volunteers, including more survivors, are sought to help with the August expo and to deliver the bags. For Michelle Knag of Mesa, the last 10 years have been a long road since she was first diagnosed with cancer. Back then, the early stage cancer led to her
first lumpectomy. This time, she’s been diagnosed with stage-four cancer. For her, the most important support are the women who understand her life. “You try to take things day by day,” she says. “And rely on the people who love you and support you. “It means a lot to me that someone cares. That you’re not alone.” Michelle Konst of Gilbert often meets with women who have had a mastectomy because she has been through the traumatic surgery.
“The visits from Sarah and her husband, who visited with my husband, were tremendous,” she says. “Many people have a lot of friends, but nobody with breast cancer. It was just a comfort knowing I was going to be talking to someone who has been through it. “I think generally women tend to think we can do it all. But this is something that you can’t.” Joan Tomich of Gilbert had simple advice for anyone who’s been diagnosed, and their family members: Just listen. And be supportive, empathetic. “It’s very important to me to be called a ‘survivor,’” she says. “To me, those words are just magical.” Knag adds, “I think sometimes just having an open ear and listening to our stories and what we’re going through helps a lot of people who don’t know what to say to a cancer patient. Don’t ever give up.” My Hope Bag is still seeking vendors for the Aug. 23 expo on a first-come, first-serve basis. The expo also features experts including medical professionals who can take questions from patients and family members. The free event at Tempe Mission Palms will provide complimentary valet parking, and lunch is also available for women who stay all day for the free services and experts. To order a bag, learn more about the expo, or get involved as a volunteer, visit www.myhopebag.org. Beth Lucas is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.
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