Stories of Help and Hope

Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

• Nolan D.

  “The social worker who moderates our group is great about keeping the conversation going and really pinpointing things people say that they might not realize they said.” Read more

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

• Ashley V.

  “I am so grateful for the experience I had with CancerCare and their support groups and I really am not sure if I would feel as strong as I feel today without that experience.” Read more

• Luisa L.

  “Talking through life after cancer with a group of people going through the same thing was hugely helpful. It didn’t make the problems go away, but it was a relief to know we weren’t alone in our experiences.” Read more

Anal Cancer

• Ronald M.

  “I am fortunate that I was told to come to CancerCare and it’s been a big lift off my shoulders in terms of managing stress.” Read more

Bladder Cancer

• Ric S.

  “Even at the first group meeting, the members that were there made me feel very comfortable. Everyone got it.” Read more

• Marlaine H.

  “The staff at CancerCare is so thoughtful. I think it’s wonderful that you don’t just treat patients well – you also look out for their friends and family.” Read more

Bone Cancer

• Kris K.

  “CancerCare has given me a number of insights that I never would have had without their input and has opened my eyes to a whole new world of support, resources and ideas that I never even knew were possible.” Read more

Breast Cancer

• Veronica F.

  “CancerCare has helped me build my foundation from start to finish, to show me who I can be before and after cancer. They gave me an outlet of encouragement.” Read more

• Barbara L.

  “During treatment, you’re in crisis mode, focusing on getting through it, and not feeling much. Once treatment is over, that’s when it hits you: ‘Oh my God, I had cancer.'” Read more

• Donna S.

  “My life has been completely changed because of this disease but thanks to CancerCare I have the support I need and hope for the future.” Read more

• Juliet O.

  “Cancer turned my whole life upside down. If I hadn't had my social workers, I don't know what I would have done.” Read more

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Susan T.

“The support groups at CancerCare were amazing! There were so many helpful tips to make this journey more manageable.” Read more

Lisa W.

“CancerCare guided me in the process of receiving financial assistance. They really gave me a lot of tools that helped me and for that I’ve been so grateful.” Read more

Vera S.

“I’ve learned to be really very supportive of other people and what they’re going through. Everyone needs people to care about them, to love them, to be thinking about them and hoping that they are going to be ok. Everybody needs it. It’s really been a huge lesson for me and has made me very aware of how fragile we are.” Read more

Rasheen D.

“Money was getting tight. I applied for grants and different types of help. I found that CancerCare was just the number one resource for information and financial assistance. They understand the emotions that you’re going to go through. It’s a one-stop shop.” Read more

Susan G.

“Be patient with people who are going through this. Don’t tell someone that what they’re feeling is all in their head. If you think your friend or family member needs to get out, but they know they’re not feeling well, don’t push it.” Read more

Theodosia B.

“When I was first diagnosed, I honestly thought that one day my cancer would go away. Now, I honestly don’t care if I ever hear the word cancer-free again. I have to live this. My advice to others is to stop reaching for a cancer-free diagnosis. Instead, how about we learn to live with this disease?” Read more

Nancy W.

“Cancer is a disease with so many unknowns. Without the solid support that CancerCare offers, I don’t know how I’d have gotten through it.” Read more

Becky C.

“Knowing that I had help to rely on meant that there was one less thing to worry about.” Read more

Seynabou B.

“Some advice I would offer others going through a similar situation is give yourself time. It’s ok to take your time to heal, both physically and mentally, from this challenging time.” Read more

Lori G.

“Sparkle was my rock throughout this challenging time, and I’ll forever be grateful to have her as my best friend.” Read more

Bianca I.

“Thanks to my social worker at CancerCare, I believe that cancer will just be another chapter in my life, not the end of to my story.” Read more

Marianne D.

““I look at what I lost, but also look at what I gained. Cancer made me who I am."” Read more

Weslinne C.

“I wish I knew more about the importance of breast health at a young age and especially into my adulthood. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and early detection is key.” Read more

Tamara N.

“Thanks to CancerCare, my family was able to stay afloat while I fought the hardest battle of my life.” Read more

Valarie T.

“Cancer patients, as you're going through this, there are lifechanging resources that CancerCare offers - financial assistance, community programs, education workshops - those are priceless things that people should take advantage of.” Read more

Carcinoid Tumor

• Greta S.

  ““I want to live as full of a life as I can everyday and wish to inspire, educate, motivate and help people take charge of their health. I want to do as much as I can and make my life and cancer journey count for something."” Read more

Cervical Cancer

• Regina D.

  “You need to get your village together. I had a few friends checking in on me every day and who drove to see me. You need that support.” Read more

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

• Sigrun K.

  “If anybody else is faced with this, don’t be afraid to reach out. When I did, friends were right there to help.” Read more

• Ekata D.

  “When I come to CancerCare, that is my safe place to talk about anything. My social worker has been an amazing validation for me. It’s hard to figure out your emotions sometimes, but she makes me realize that it’s okay to feel the way I feel.” Read more

Colorectal Cancer

• Jessica E.

  “I reached out and thank goodness I was able to get a wonderful therapist who I met with on a monthly basis, going over support and coping skills within that therapy.” Read more

• Whitney M.

  “Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and find someone to talk to.” Read more

Endometrial Cancer

• Malissa M.

  “My counselor from CancerCare helped me to hear my voice.” Read more

Esophageal Cancer

• Jessica W.

  “Cancer has provided a unique perspective shift," said Jessica. "It's a crash course into what matters most.” Read more

Gastric Cancer

• Derrian G.

  “My hurdles ultimately created a new mindset within which I dispelled fear and doubt. Through a combination of many people’s efforts, faith and optimism, I reached a greater level of confidence and gratitude.” Read more

Glioblastoma

• Lou G.

  “Try and surround yourself with people who’ve experienced it because they’re the true ones that can understand. If you’re lucky enough to build a bond or relationship with these people, it’ll be something that will benefit you for life.” Read more

Hodgkin Lymphoma

• Josh W.

  “It was just nice to know that you weren’t the only one dealing with it, especially the only one at a certain age because cancer, especially as a young adult, is really isolating.” Read more

• Anita J.

  “I have a lot of good friends, but when you’re alone, that’s when you think. When that happens, you pick up the phone. There’s people you can reach out to.” Read more

• Marianne D.

  ““I look at what I lost, but also look at what I gained. Cancer made me who I am."” Read more

• Kouichi W.

  “Nothing is self-made. There’s no self-made person. You need to be able to learn how to tap into other resources and ask people for help when you’re in a situation like cancer.” Read more

Leukemia

• Ashley V.

  “I am so grateful for the experience I had with CancerCare and their support groups and I really am not sure if I would feel as strong as I feel today without that experience.” Read more

• Luisa L.

  “Talking through life after cancer with a group of people going through the same thing was hugely helpful. It didn’t make the problems go away, but it was a relief to know we weren’t alone in our experiences.” Read more

• Sigrun K.

  “If anybody else is faced with this, don’t be afraid to reach out. When I did, friends were right there to help.” Read more

• Ekata D.

  “When I come to CancerCare, that is my safe place to talk about anything. My social worker has been an amazing validation for me. It’s hard to figure out your emotions sometimes, but she makes me realize that it’s okay to feel the way I feel.” Read more

Lung Cancer

• Maria A.

  “When I arrived here, in the first group, I saw other peers as well, we each shared our diagnosis, how we felt. We were very supportive of each other.” Read more

• Suzanne W.

  “No matter what your state of health, the diagnosis of cancer is overwhelming for the patient and for everyone close. Anxiety, sadness and depression are common for most cancer patients, and I was no exception. So I looked for a support group and that is how I found CancerCare.” Read more

• Nila W.

  “The Stories of Help & Hope shared on the CancerCare website are invaluable. I am strengthened by holding onto these stories of hope. The experience of others educates and enriches me, replenishing me so I can go forward, renewed.” Read more

• Cynthia B.

  “If you are able to keep your spirits up, as hard as it sounds, you will eventually get the strength to heal.” Read more

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Phyllis D.

“I always try to look at the glass half full and think positive thoughts each and every day.” Read more

Cari D.

“The weekly lung cancer support group has become an integral part of my healing process. The friendships made are priceless, the knowledge and support shared is invaluable.” Read more

Arlene C.

“I went to CancerCare and was treated royally. I was expecting the hair loss, but it was still a shock to my system.” Read more

Allen M.

“Living through much adversity can either make you bitter or more caring and empathetic. I am truly blessed because it made me a more caring and giving person. Cancer made it important for me to reach out and help others and not to dwell on myself or feel sorry for myself. It is important to me to share this with others. It may sound sappy. But it is real and very healing.” Read more

Valarie K.

“We have to go 60 miles from her home to the clinic for her treatments so this assistance is invaluable to us. This is especially invaluable on a fixed income. We are so grateful to CancerCare.” Read more

Lymphoma

• Josh W.

  “It was just nice to know that you weren’t the only one dealing with it, especially the only one at a certain age because cancer, especially as a young adult, is really isolating.” Read more

• Anita J.

  “I have a lot of good friends, but when you’re alone, that’s when you think. When that happens, you pick up the phone. There’s people you can reach out to.” Read more

• Judith H.

  “Cancer woke me up, slowed me down, got me to my next step and helped me get rid of things in my life that weren’t working.” Read more

• Kouichi W.

  “Nothing is self-made. There’s no self-made person. You need to be able to learn how to tap into other resources and ask people for help when you’re in a situation like cancer.” Read more

Melanoma

• Jonah E.

  “My relationship with my counselor is one that I value greatly, and I would certainly not be where I am today without her help.” Read more

Metastatic Breast Cancer

• Rasheen D.

  “Money was getting tight. I applied for grants and different types of help. I found that CancerCare was just the number one resource for information and financial assistance. They understand the emotions that you’re going to go through. It’s a one-stop shop.” Read more

• Theodosia B.

  “When I was first diagnosed, I honestly thought that one day my cancer would go away. Now, I honestly don’t care if I ever hear the word cancer-free again. I have to live this. My advice to others is to stop reaching for a cancer-free diagnosis. Instead, how about we learn to live with this disease?” Read more

Multiple Myeloma

• Valarie T.

  “Cancer patients, as you're going through this, there are lifechanging resources that CancerCare offers - financial assistance, community programs, education workshops - those are priceless things that people should take advantage of.” Read more

Ovarian Cancer

• Jay D.

  “You have to speak to people who have gone through this because no one else understands what you go through. You have to find people like that. When you go to a bereavement group, you’re able to open up completely.” Read more

• Judy N.

  “I’m so glad I found CancerCare and was able to access services that really helped me take care of the whole emotional-mental aspect of cancer. That’s so easy to neglect amid all the physical parts of it.” Read more

Pancreatic Cancer

• Sandy M.

  “I really do feel that they’re there for you. I was devastated when my husband passed away and it took me an awfully long time to find my footing. I would not have found it without CancerCare, that’s for sure.” Read more

Prostate Cancer

• Mike C.

  “CancerCare was the first support group I attended and it was exactly what I needed. It meant so much for me to be able to talk with other men about my cancer and theirs.” Read more

• Laurence J.

  “The group as a whole has become like a unified support system where anything goes – any question, any topic, any fear. It’s about surviving our lives and it’s been very helpful.” Read more

Rare Cancers

• Michelle K.

  “Joining a CancerCare young adult survivorship support group has been pivotal in my healing. It helped me understand what survivorship is, validated all the emotions I was having and connected me to people in similar life stages.” Read more

Sarcoma

• Charles H.

  “Connecting with CancerCare should be a no-brainer. It’s a great organization.” Read more

Squamous Cell Cancer

• Willard B.

  “I never panicked. I just said, ‘Okay, so what do we do? I’m ready for anything. Let’s go.’” Read more

Stomach Cancer

• Ira N.

  “I really needed someone to talk to who had the expertise in this area of helping others with cancer. I knew I couldn’t do it alone.” Read more

Uterine Cancer

• Muriel L.

  “It was good to have somebody in my corner to help me get through those times.” Read more

• Helaine B.

  “CancerCare made me feel human. You made me feel like cancer was part of my story, and not all of who I am.” Read more

Coping With Caregiving

• Whitney M.

  “Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and find someone to talk to.” Read more

• Jessica W.

  “Cancer has provided a unique perspective shift," said Jessica. "It's a crash course into what matters most.” Read more

• Valarie K.

  “We have to go 60 miles from her home to the clinic for her treatments so this assistance is invaluable to us. This is especially invaluable on a fixed income. We are so grateful to CancerCare.” Read more

• Kathryn W.

  “Some of the most important things to keep in mind while caring for a loved one is that it’s important to listen to them and give them a safe space, but also to have them listen to you and let them take care of you a little bit sometimes.” Read more

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Elise F.

“I can tell my counselor how I’m feeling and what’s going through my mind. Every Friday, she calls me at 11:30, and I look forward to her calls. I get a lot off my chest.” Read more