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Volume 54 Number 16
www.couriernews.ca
April 20, 2021
Cancer: You do not have to go through this alone
Submitted
The Lakeland Cancer Peer Support Group, through the MFRCS, is a great avenue for anyone on a journey related to cancer to talk and feel supported with others having similar experiences. JOY SMITH
Group comes in. The group started two and a half years ago by Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada Military Family Resource Centre Society (MFRCS) with Canadians having about a 24 percent lifetime staff member, Tracy Miller and Joanne Gill, who probability of dying from some form of cancer. It was passed away from cancer in February 2021. Canadian estimated that in 2020: 115,800 Canadian men would Natural sponsors the group as part of their community be diagnosed with cancer and 44,100 of those men investment focus, and the MFRCS provides a safe would die from cancer and 110,000 Canadian women meeting space, facilitators, and brief topics for would be diagnosed with cancer and 39,300 women discussion. would die from cancer. It was Gill, at the time a cancer patient in After a cancer diagnosis, it’s common for newly treatment, who identified the need for cancer peer diagnosed patients to feel isolated and anxious support in the Lakeland area. The aim of the group is about their new circumstances. They may feel like no to provide members of the community, who are going one else understands what they are experiencing— through cancer, a safe place to talk and feel supported emotionally or physically. They may not know how during their journey. It is also a place where members to talk to family members and friends about the of the group can give and receive peer support and disease or their feelings. Patients may have questions offer information about resources to each other that about how to deal with the side effects of treatment, they may not have known about otherwise. such as fatigue, pain or loss of appetite. To make Attending a support group may be a helpful step matters worse cancer patients who live in Cold Lake toward relieving feelings of loneliness and isolation cannot access all the support and assistance that the and finding a resource for practical coping skills Cross Cancer Institute provides because it is based in to improve cancer patient’s quality of life during Edmonton. treatment. For those uncomfortable talking to others That’s where the Lakeland Cancer Peer Support about their feelings, they can still benefit from
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attending a support group by simply listening to others’ experiences. You don’t have to share unless you’re comfortable doing so. Cancer support groups offer patients an opportunity to talk about their feelings and experiences and to make connections with others experiencing a similar situation. The Lakeland Cancer Peer Support Group meets the last Thursday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the MFRCS Welcome Centre. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 29. The group is for anyone who has cancer, who is a cancer survivor or anyone that has been affected by cancer such as a caregiver or partner. If you would like more information about the group, please contact Tracy Miller at lakelandcancerpeergroup@hotmail.com or call 780594-6006 ext 246. Nikita Proulx, MFRCS Family Liaison Officer, now co-facilitates the meetings with Tracy and she can also be contacted at 780-594-6006 ext 231. Strict COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place during the meeting, please wear a mask and sanitize before entering the meeting room. If you are not feeling well, please do not attend.