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-of-mind, 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 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.

Many businesses and nonprofits struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the opposite occurred for CSCDE. Generous donations from donors remained steady, which is vital for the nonprofit to continue serving the community at no cost. In the last 16 months, CSCDE has served over 13,000 people and completed over 30,000 patient visits—compared to serving 1,100 people and providing 13,000 visits in 2019.

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, emotional and physical treatment should be as well.

The pandemic was psychologically difficult for many Americans, so additional cancer-related issues compelled many to reach out to CSCDE virtually for their services. “People are really looking for emotional support during this time because their cancer screenings, treatments, and diagnoses have been delayed,” Pickles explained. Several studies revealed that rates of later-stage cancer diagnoses are increasing due to these pandemic-related delays.

“I think COVID has changed forever how we look at cancer and provide services. I think going forward we will definitely add a hybrid component,” said Pickles. While the internal communities built within their organization are strong, through hybrid events they are also looking to branch into other external Delaware communities. With the flexibility that online events provide, CSCDE is looking to tap into unsupported Delaware communities, especially in Sussex County and the city of Wilmington.

Much like a lighthouse providing a constant bright point on the horizon, Cancer Support Community Delaware is a guiding light that will always be available for those who need a sense of belonging in times of struggle.