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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT:
Cancer Support Community Delaware
BY REGINA DONATO Cancer is certainly a topic that hits home for many. It is a rarity to find someone who hasn’t been personally affected by cancer in some capacity. While the terrible physical effects of cancer and its treatment methods are always top-ofmind, the less talked about emotional repercussions of the disease need more recognition. The Cancer Support Community Delaware (CSCDE) was founded for this reason. The nonprofit has been serving the state of Delaware for 25 years, ensuring that all who are impacted by cancer are “empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.” With a location in all three counties, CSCDE provides a well-rounded
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variety of support – emotional, physical, and financial – at no cost to the patient. When asked what makes their organization stand out from other similar cancer-focused nonprofits, Executive Director Nicole Topkis Pickles explained that “it’s our support we provide that sets us apart from anyone else. We are in a setting where it is easy to feel emotionally connected. You’re not in a hospital setting, it’s not sterile, it’s not a cold environment.” Walking into their New Castle County location, you are greeted by elaborate gardens, a gorgeous 300-year-old home, and a warm and friendly staff. This respite is much needed for those who spend long hours in various doctors’ offices and treatment centers.
Cancer can often instill a feeling of helplessness amongst patients and their loved ones, which the Cancer Support Community Delaware hopes to reduce through their various emotional support programs, mind/body programs, and educational events. Weekly and monthly support groups for cancer patients and their caregivers, stress reduction classes such as Tai Chi and yoga, social groups such as knitting classes, and group walks at Winterthur are just a small portion of what CSCDE offers to the people they serve. Run solely by licensed professionals, their programming is highly personalized depending on the type, severity of cancer, and their physical relation to the disease. Just as every person is unique,
Se p t e m b er / Oc t o b e r 2021 | DELAWARE BUSINESS
