GIVE BACK
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Nonprofit organization Regarding Cancer believes no one should ever have to face cancer alone. BY DIANA DOBSON
“You have cancer.” No matter the stage, whatever the diagnosis, those three words can stop time in its tracks. When a patient gets diagnosed with cancer, they and their loved ones try to grasp how they will rearrange their lives in the short-term while processing the uncertainty of the future. During an intense schedule of followup appointments, they learn about their diagnosis, prognosis and plan for treatment, which could include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation—or all three. A cancer diagnosis can generate a thousand feelings: fear, confusion, anxiety, distress, despair, depression, anger, hopelessness, frustration. The first few weeks after diagnosis are particularly challenging. Many patients have trouble thinking, eating or sleeping as they wrestle with the enormity of the diagnosis. With each diagnosis comes the need to understand the disease and treatments, to cope with emotions, manage disruptions and mood disturbances, financial stress, changes in role, spiritual concerns and the many other psychosocial problems that arise. Regarding Cancer believes that no one should face cancer alone. The Regarding Cancer mission is to provide free psychosocial support and resources to cancer patients and their caregivers in the Central Texas area by matching newly diagnosed patients with a peer who’s survived the same type of cancer or a caregiver of cancer patients. We provide support from 278 volunteers who themselves have survived a cancer diagnosis or have been a caregiver for a loved one with cancer. Following a three-hour training, volunteers become mentors in one-on-one mentoring relationships based on cancer type. Beyond helping the patients referred to the support program, our volunteers benefit from providing the service as part of survivorship. Regarding Cancer provides firstly support for emotional and social concerns through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, survivorship and advanced disease; secondly an education on what to expect with treatment and guidance on how to navigate difficult decisions; and lastly the hope gained through fellowship with others experiencing the same journey. Executive Director Diana Dobson (left) and Program Director Linda Richards
18 | AUSTIN WOMAN | OCTOBER 2021
Photos courtesy of Regarding Cancer.
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