Cancer Survivorship Program starting a new support program for those fighting cancer

One-day training to be offered to cancer survivors in May

Bend, Ore. – The Cancer Survivorship Program, based at the St. Charles Regional Cancer Treatment Center in Bend, has continued to grow since it was established in August of last year. The program offers support to those living with a history of cancer and their caregivers.

In investigating the needs of cancer patients in the region, the Cancer Center staff noticed that many breast cancer patients were getting support from survivors, but there was a lack of survivor support for other types of cancer. Beth Larsen, Coordinator for the Cancer Survivorship Program said the existing breast cancer program offered a great starting point.

“Ten years of feedback from the Sara Fisher Breast Cancer Navigator Program has shown us that breast cancer patients find phenomenal value in the support they receive from breast cancer survivors,” Larsen said. “Our challenge was to find a way to provide that kind of support to patients and their caregivers experiencing all types of cancer throughout the Central and Eastern Oregon regions.”

The Cancer Center is working to answer that need by offering a Cancer Support Volunteer training for the first time to cancer survivors and their caregivers who want to use their cancer experience to help others. The one-day training is available on either Friday, May 16 or Saturday, May 17. The deadline to sign up for the training is Friday, May 2.

The Cancer Support Volunteer Program is powerful, Larsen said, because it allows cancer patients and caregivers to share the unique insight that only individuals who have experienced cancer can provide. The program partners with the national Cancer Hope Network to train volunteers and expand support available to Central Oregonians by connecting them to both local and national resources.

“The hope is that all those touched by cancer will feel more informed, confident and encouraged by providing and receiving support,” Larsen said.

The day-long training will give volunteers the tools needed to provide emotional support and encouragement to cancer patients as well as practical information, helpful hints and methods for coping with diagnosis and treatment. No volunteer will endorse or recommend treatments, facilities or physicians.

Larsen encourages anyone with questions to call her at 541-706-2969. More information and a registration form can be found at www.bendcancer.org. The Cancer Survivorship Program was established in August 2007 due in part to a generous donation from the Tour des Chutes organization. 

About the St. Charles Regional Cancer Treatment Center

The St. Charles Regional Cancer Treatment Center serves as the primary resource and referral center for cancer patients in Central and Eastern Oregon. This facility offers cutting-edge cancer treatments and technology, along with a wide range of education and support services for cancer patients. The goal is simply to provide the best care available anywhere. Only one in four hospitals that treat cancer patients receives accreditation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.  St. Charles Regional Cancer Treatment Center is one of them.