TAOS CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES

Working to support families in difficult times

BY MICHAEL TASHJI

Acancer diagnosis can be a lifechanging event — for patients and their community of support. Here, cancer patients can turn to Taos Cancer Support Services for help navigating the rough road ahead.

“I listen first. That’s my job,” said Eileen Craig, the group’s program coordinator and intake manager. “I hear what their story is — I ask a few questions. I’m a cancer survivor, too.”

Taos Cancer Support Services is a program funded by grants and donations through Holy Cross Hospital that provides cancer patients with logistical and emotional support while they undergo treatment. The group provides financial resources, helps with transportation and lodging, and connects clients to the wellness community with recommendations and rebates.

Craig, who has faced breast cancer twice in her life, said she knows how devastating and confusing the diagnosis can be. “You have to face mortality. You face, ‘What are my priorities now?’”

Craig worked as a nurse in pediatric oncology for 40 years, delivering chemotherapy to children, and said “I can’t believe how my history — my own life — takes me to this point — to be able to sit with people as they’re going through that chaotic, tearful, frightening experience of getting cancer.”

Patients in Taos who seek medical treatment need to travel to St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe or to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque — Holy Cross does not offer cancer treatment.

“I established with an oncologist in Santa Fe. Going to Santa Fe is familiar to me. The Cancer Center is familiar to me. The drive is familiar to me,” Craig said, adding that her experience helps clients understand what to expect.

The group provides clients with $500 a year to spend on goods and services. Craig said they would like to raise that funding to

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Lucas

Jeremy Edmonds, DO

Ryan Murphy, DO

Brittney

Daniel Peralta, PA-C

$1,000. “One gas card to get some of their care in Albuquerque is $50 for that appointment. It doesn’t take very many of those for the $500 to be gone.” listen, a place to respect. It’s not a place to tell somebody what to do or how to do it,” Craig said.

Recognizing that transportation is a major obstacle for patients, The American Cancer Society started a Road to Recovery program to pair volunteer drivers with those in treatment. Before the pandemic, the program included Taos County. Craig said she hopes the program will return soon.

Taos Cancer Support Services partners with hotels in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and helps arrange overnight stays for its clients. For food assistance, the group partners with Taos Food Coop and Super Save. It also connects clients with local massage therapists, acupuncturists, yoga instructors and more.

Jeannie Ross, director of Community Services at Holy Cross Hospital, said Taos Cancer Support Services impacts the greatest number of people in the community by connecting its clients with local services that promote healing.

“What I learned, becoming the director of this department, is the way that families are so interconnected in Taos, and that we’re really working to support family systems.

The Group Offers

PEER-TO-PEER

“The last group of things is emotional,” said Craig. “Sometimes, people are healing and recovering. Sometimes, people are needing to face the reality of their passing. And, because, sometimes there’s issues with families — what I want versus what my mom wants for me or my spouse wants for me,” she said as an example.

The group offers peer-to-peer counseling every Tuesday night from 4-5 p.m. at its offices at 413 Sipapu St., Taos. “People who are going through it themselves or have been through it themselves. It’s a place to encourage each other, a place to

“The pregnant woman enrolled in First Steps home visiting may have an auntie that needs help figuring out her Medicare , and then she may have a grandpa with cancer. And then, of course, the kids are receiving the prevention education curriculum from Taos Alive in the schools,” said Ross, community services director for the last five years. “And, in this way, we can really — hopefully —make a positive impact in people’s lives.”

To get the word out about their services and bring in needed funding, the group hosts several fundraisers throughout the year, including the annual Paint Taos Pink event, a partnership with local eateries. “This year was a great success. We are at $30,000 and counting,” Craig said.

Another annual fundraiser is the For the Health of It 3-mile walk around Kit

Carson Park. Craig said about 20 volunteers contributed to the cause last year. “I do get people calling or coming in that say, ‘How can I help? What can I do?’”

Taos Cancer Support Services recently enlisted its clients and their families to record about a dozen radio spots. One of them submitted: “I’m Julia Bergkamp. My mom was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer about a year-and-a-half ago, and our family and myself really benefited from Cancer Support Services.

“Being a caregiver is a lot, and it can feel really isolating and lonely at times. And so, actually, I really benefited from the services. Most of all, they provided me with ongoing check-ins. They connected me to support groups, gas cards, community resources and simply just a connection in knowing that I didn’t have to go it alone and that I shouldn’t have to. I really benefited from the ongoing care, compassion, empathy and support that they provided me on a weekly basis.”

413 Sipapu St., Taos 575-751-8927

@taoscancersupport

THE MOUNTAIN CALLS STRONG WOMEN.

From the grandmothers and mothers of the pueblo to Mabel to Agnes to Millicent to Patricia, the feminine spirit is strong in our community. These women—and all those who came before and after—have helped weave a fabric of strength and vibrancy in Taos over the past century.

Taos Woman features women of business, education, activism, arts and medicine. Through photos, biographies and profiles, we honor our heritage and the women who make Taos stronger today and for the future.

In addition, Taos News and Taos Community Foundation will honor 8 women of impact at our 5th annual Taoseña event.

This special recognition is bestowed on local honorees who work tirelessly to enhance Taos. Be a part of this memorable occasion!

Taoseña Awards

Recorded Live Facebook Event and taosnews.com 1:15 pm, March 8, 2022

HONORING EIGHT WOMEN OF IMPACT