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survivorship and patient services Breast cancer survivor reaches out to patients through Reach to Recovery When Toni Freed was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 1995, she was worried about not living long enough to see her ten year old daughter graduate. Scared and without information, she went to her local American Cancer Society office and was asked if she would like to speak with a Reach to Recovery volunteer. Later that day, she got a phone call that changed her life. 
Reach to Recovery is an American Cancer Society program designed to match breast cancer patients with breast cancer survivors who can offer stories of personal experiences, emotional support, and hope. Patients and family members can meet with a Reach volunteer in person or over the phone to ask questions, share concerns, and express feelings. "One of my fears was that I would only be a cancer patient the rest of my life," said Toni (pictured right). "This woman talked with me like I was a woman, not a cancer patient." During the conversation, Toni realized that there can be life after breast cancer. A positive approach It was the first time she could think of her diagnosis in a positive way. She credits this change in her attitude as the most important thing to her survival. "I went from being sure I was going to die to having hope," she said. "Early on, I decided I wanted to help someone like that...I also need to let people know that you can have this disease and still have a good life." People who are interested in the Reach to Recovery program must wait at least a year after finishing treatment before they can begin training. This guideline is in place so that a person can focus on themselves during their cancer experience, and then be able to support the patient as a volunteer. Toni was anxious to start. In her training, she learned about treatment options and what kind of conversations would be helpful to a new patient. "We’re trained not to give medical advice, not to second guess the doctors," she said. Volunteers also have continuing education trainings. When volunteers are ready for their first patient visit, they are accompanied by a more experienced volunteer for support. Toni was re-diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2001. Being back in the patient role, she put her volunteer work on hold, but enthusiastically returned to the program in 2005. She spoke as a survivor at her local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, where afterwards she was approached by daughters of women she visited as a Reach volunteer. "It brought back to me why I’ve done this, that it has mattered in people’s lives," she said. Toni has become involved with other American Cancer Society programs, such as Relay For Life, as well as national and state advocacy events, but her main priorities stay on Reach to Recovery. "It has the possibility of changing attitudes the way it did mine," she said. "I have such a high respect for the program and the women, my fellow volunteers." She serves on a local executive board that advises how to revitalize Reach and bring it to the forefront of the community. To learn more about the program, sign up for a Reach to Recovery visit, or join Toni as a volunteer call 800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org to get in contact with your local American Cancer Society area service center. | |
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