You are a co-survivor and the roll that you play is very important. Here are ten ways in which you can rally together with other friends and family members to support for your loved one:
1. Cards
Snail mail has the power to instantly put a smile on someones face! It can provide so much encouragement to know that someone is thinking about them and praying for them. Sometimes visitors are not allowed or preferred so a card is a non invasive way of showing that you care!
2. Special Outing
If they are feeling up to it take them on a little outing. Offer to pick them up and take them to lunch, treat them to a new pair of earrings, or a pair of comfy button down pajamas! Even a short walk around the block where they can talk and you can quietly listen.
3. Meal Train
If you haven’t heard of Meal Train.com you are missing out! This website makes coordinating meals an absolute breeze. After signing up for a FREE account, you choose the days that you want meals to be delivered. Once the calendar of meals is generated, a unique web address is available to send to friends and family for them to sign up to deliver meals. Meal Train will automatically email each person the day before they have signed up to remind them to deliver their meal. Amazingly easy, FREE and such a huge support to a family in need.
4. Prayer
Knowing that you have the prayers of friends, family and even strangers is encouraging and uplifting. Just the mere thought of a friend taking the time to bow on your behalf is powerful. It provides comfort and peace to both the survivor and co-survivor. God hears our concerns!
5. Grocery Shopping
One idea is to “stock the pantry” of the person going through treatment. Find out what her and her family normally purchase at the store and have a rotating group of friends that take turns buying things off their pantry list. Keeping their cupboards stocked will alleviate stress and give them more time to focus on their family.
6. Yard Work
Grab your mower, weed eater and blower and get to work! Plant some beautiful flowers outside of the bedroom window or leave a potted plant on the door step!
7. House Work
This awesome service is a GAME CHANGER ladies! If you haven’t heard of it, you need to hop on over to http://www.cleaningforareason.org/ This amazing organization will give FOUR MONTHS of free cleaning to breast cancer patients! Offer to complete the paperwork for your friend if she doesn’t feel up to it
8. Play Dates for Kids
Offer to take the kids overnight. Pick them up and take them to the pool for a few hours or even just out to dinner. Give Mom time to heal or give Mom and Dad a night out on a day that she is feeling well and up to venturing out of the house.
9. Financial Support
We’ve all seen the fundraising sites, right?! If you have a friend in need, start up an online fundraiser, host a garage sale that benefits the family, or see if local business will help fund raise. This is especially helpful if the cancer patient is out of work or doesn’t have insurance that is covering treatment.
10. Support Groups
It is so important to connect with others that are in the same season of life. Many support groups are not only for the patients but usually co-survivors are welcome to attend as well. Below are several support groups in the Knoxville area that come highly recommended by surviving friends!
Bosom Buddies at West End church of Christ – (8301 E. Walker Springs Lane; Knoxville). Mission: educate survivors and our families about breast cancer and its implications. Support and encourage each other through fun activities. Bring a friend, your sister, your mom, a fellow survivor! Third Thursday of every month at 6:30PM.
Cokesbury Cancer Support Group -The Cokesbury Center (9915 Kingston Pike; Knoxville). Contact Kim Dukes for more information at 966-1190 or the Cokesbury Church office at 693-0353.
The Cancer Support Community of East Tennessee (formerly Wellness Community) – provides a full range of support services for people affected by cancer and their loved ones in a comfortable, home-like setting at no cost. For more information contact the Cancer Support Community Office at 865-546-4661.
Women of Wisdom – a support group for African American breast cancer survivors. The group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Thompson Cancer Survival Center. For more information call Thompson Cancer Outreach Services at 865-541-1312.
Young Empowered Survivors (Y.E.S) – a support group for patients diagnosed between the ages of 25 to 45. The group will meet at UT Cancer Institute on the last Thursday of each month from 5:30pm-7:30pm. For more information, contact Teri Freeman at 865-305-6154.
Young Survivors Network – a support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer by age 40 and have been in treatment within the past 2 years. The group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Thompson Cancer Survival Center. For more information call Thompson Cancer Outreach Service at 865-541-1312.
Yet I Trust – Online support for anyone who is suffering with illness, including family and friends who are helping loved ones cope. Their main focus is to help Christians keep their faith in God despite intense suffering.
*A special thanks to some very lovely Knoxville survivors who very graciously took time to help come up with the ways that they were most encouraged and helped as they were going through treatment. Your lights shine so brightly and you are a beautiful inspiration to us all*
Are you a Survivor? What have you found most helpful during your treatment?
What a great read! Being a co-survivor is a challenging job, but I think you gave some great ways to help and encourage survivors! I will be utilizing those in the future! Thanks!
What an encouraging and informative article! Thank you for these wonderful suggestions on how to help our friends through breast cancer. As a survivor, I agree that these suggestions are invaluable.