As the founder and facilitator for the oldest cancer support group in Auburn, Kathy Bennett has discovered friendship and strength in the darkest of times for many.
The I Can Cope support group, an arm of the American Cancer Society, gives solace to anyone affected by cancer, whether firsthand or through a friend or family member. Tonight the group celebrates its 20th anniversary as the first of its kind in the area.
“It helps people realize that a lot of other people are going through similar situations,” Bennett said.
The group meets monthly at Auburn Memorial Hospital, where anywhere from 20 to 30 people convene to coach each other through the trials of cancer. Sometimes the support comes in the form of a guest speaker brought in to inform the group about a particular topic. Other times the meetings take the form of an open forum where members can bring up anything weighing on their minds.
“Sometimes they can relate to each other better than a person's own family can,” Bennett said. “They make a lot of friends and bond and get support from each other.”
The group also meets by honoring National Cancer Survivors Day in June, picnicking in July and celebrating a Christmas party in December.
Tonight marks 20 years since Bennett formed the group at the behest of the American Cancer Society's Auburn office. At that time, she was studying to become an oncology nurse. Once her exam was behind her, Bennett agreed.
“I was interested in helping a special group of people,” she said. “With cancer, the whole family is so affected.”
The I Can Cope group originally was designed as an eight-week educational series that spanned several dimensions of the cancer experience, from nutrition and treatment to spiritual and psychological concerns. People who finished the course would graduate. But Bennett soon saw that those graduates would re-enroll in the group in order to stay connected to their classmates.
With permission from the American Cancer Society, Bennett revised the group as an ongoing support center for cancer survivors, patients and loved ones of patients. She was able to keep the I Can Cope name, as well as additional support from the American Cancer Society in the form of transportation and wig services for patients in the Auburn group.
I Can Cope meetings are “catered” by members Don and Sue Jayne, who have been bringing cookies and brownies to gatherings for 18 years in addition to helping Bennett with other aspects of the group. Ruth Pinckney, a cancer survivor, is heavily involved with spreading the word about the group in the Auburn community.
“If you're a patient and getting treatment, you get comfort and that's what I got, and I've enjoyed the group,” Pinckney said.
In addition to being part of the lives of cancer patients, the members of the Auburn I Can Cope group have often been a part of their deaths.
“The sad thing is sometimes they come in too late and you wish you had more time with them,” Bennett said. “But just getting to know a lot of people and meeting them and knowing them is wonderful.”
If you go
What: I Can Cope cancer support group 20th anniversary dinner
When: 6 tonight
Where: Sunset Restaurant, 93 N.
Division St., Auburn
Cost: $12
To make a reservation: Call 889-5817
“It helps people realize that a lot of other people are going through similar situations,” Bennett said.
The group meets monthly at Auburn Memorial Hospital, where anywhere from 20 to 30 people convene to coach each other through the trials of cancer. Sometimes the support comes in the form of a guest speaker brought in to inform the group about a particular topic. Other times the meetings take the form of an open forum where members can bring up anything weighing on their minds.
“Sometimes they can relate to each other better than a person's own family can,” Bennett said. “They make a lot of friends and bond and get support from each other.”
The group also meets by honoring National Cancer Survivors Day in June, picnicking in July and celebrating a Christmas party in December.
Tonight marks 20 years since Bennett formed the group at the behest of the American Cancer Society's Auburn office. At that time, she was studying to become an oncology nurse. Once her exam was behind her, Bennett agreed.
“I was interested in helping a special group of people,” she said. “With cancer, the whole family is so affected.”
The I Can Cope group originally was designed as an eight-week educational series that spanned several dimensions of the cancer experience, from nutrition and treatment to spiritual and psychological concerns. People who finished the course would graduate. But Bennett soon saw that those graduates would re-enroll in the group in order to stay connected to their classmates.
With permission from the American Cancer Society, Bennett revised the group as an ongoing support center for cancer survivors, patients and loved ones of patients. She was able to keep the I Can Cope name, as well as additional support from the American Cancer Society in the form of transportation and wig services for patients in the Auburn group.
I Can Cope meetings are “catered” by members Don and Sue Jayne, who have been bringing cookies and brownies to gatherings for 18 years in addition to helping Bennett with other aspects of the group. Ruth Pinckney, a cancer survivor, is heavily involved with spreading the word about the group in the Auburn community.
“If you're a patient and getting treatment, you get comfort and that's what I got, and I've enjoyed the group,” Pinckney said.
In addition to being part of the lives of cancer patients, the members of the Auburn I Can Cope group have often been a part of their deaths.
“The sad thing is sometimes they come in too late and you wish you had more time with them,” Bennett said. “But just getting to know a lot of people and meeting them and knowing them is wonderful.”
If you go
What: I Can Cope cancer support group 20th anniversary dinner
When: 6 tonight
Where: Sunset Restaurant, 93 N.
Division St., Auburn
Cost: $12
To make a reservation: Call 889-5817
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