 |
|
|
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
survivorship and patient services Indiana survivor encourages all to use Society resources Shirley Mullen of Clinton County, Indiana, was working in a doctor's office when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the beginning of March, 2004. Within a week, she remembered TV advertisements and called 1-800-ACS-2345, the toll free number of the American Cancer Society. "They were really supportive," she says of the call center's employees. "I vented a little about being in such a shock and they gave me the address and telephone number of the local American Cancer Society office and told me about programs like Look Good, Feel Better." Look Good, Feel Better is a program that gives female cancer patients wigs, makeup, and beauty tips to keep them feeling beautiful throughout their cancer treatments.  Then, she went on the website, www.cancer.org, because she knew she could read about cancer at her own pace and find information on support and breast cancer treatment options. She also visited Dawn Clinkenbeard, her local American Cancer Society quality of life director, who was able to help her find financial resources to pay rent, a gift certificate to get a wig, and books to read.
Shirley finished chemotherapy and radiation by November of 2004, and was cancer free. Since then, she signed up to become a volunteer with Reach to Recovery, a Society program that matches female cancer survivors with female cancer patients to give them encouragement and show them that they too can beat the disease. Shirley wants to encourage anyone who may be hesitant to ask for information from the American Cancer Society to take the plunge, dial the number, or go online. "Even though you're scared," she says, "it's something you need to face. From my own experience the people [at the call center] were nice and primed and took time to explain things to you. For me, knowledge is power and the more you know about something, the more you feel better about it." And the website? "Get on! It's very informative, it's easy to navigate around, even for someone who's not very computer savvy. It's very straightforward, it was easy. They have survivor stories so you can say, 'OK, they've been in my shoes and I'll get through it too, they know what I'm going through.'" Remember, no matter who you are, we can help. Please take advantage of our 800 number and website, and encourage your family or friends to do the same. Other articles in VOICES this month community focus: volunteers help drive patients |
community focus: local networking supports Relay For Life |
education: cancer deaths decline in U.S. |
research: celebrating 60 years of progress |
advocacy: statewide efforts have impact |
advocacy: investigating Medicare Part D |
local area spotlight: Society staff reach migrant workers |
 | ||||||||||
|
|