Everyone is scared when they hear the word “cancer.”
Photo provided
Julie Sharpe discusses the benefits of massage therapy for cancer patients during an educational event in November sponsored by weCAre, a cancer support group in Skaneateles.
Julie Sharpe discusses the benefits of massage therapy for cancer patients during an educational event in November sponsored by weCAre, a cancer support group in Skaneateles.
When Ginny Pfau heard the doctor say it, she didn't hear anything else. She was lucky her husband was there to write down and remember all the important information from the doctor, Pfau said.
“I don't care who they are. We all go blank when we hear it,” said Pfau, 63.
But with so many medical advances being made every year, the term does not have to be met with fear. A year ago, Pfau and a group of people from Skaneateles decided to help fill in the blanks for local people touched by cancer. They started weCAre, a support group for those coping with affliction, including survivors and loved ones.
The group will celebrate its anniversary Sunday with refreshments and an informational meeting. Attendees will be able to get acquainted with people involved in weCAre.
They will also discuss how the group plans to become more active and available during its second year.
Pfau said the group had met twice a month for most of the year before stopping in November for the holidays. Starting in April, weCAre plans to hold one monthly meeting that would last roughly an hour and a half, during which guests and members can see an inspirational program. If they wish, they can talk with other attendees and network, she said.
“The most important thing we can do is help people keep a positive attitude,” Pfau said. “During treatment, you can get depressed and pulled down. Our motto is cancer support through focusing on life.”
According to the weCAre missions statement, the organization is dedicated to “identifying and providing resources, education, advocacy and support” that can be helpful for people dealing with cancer. The leaders have training to council and facilitate, and they are willing and able to assist and educate both patients and caregivers about resources.
WeCAre also has sponsored some educational programs for the community, which the organization plans to do more in the future. Recently, it held a seminar about the benefits of massage therapy for patients.
However, weCAre can serve different purposes for different people, according to Gerry Benosky, an active member. Some people are looking for emotional support. Others seek specific medical or treatment information.
And while the majority of those involved are survivors looking for positive support and an uplifting environment, it is not just the patients who look for help, she said.
“The person who has cancer is not the only one who is affected,” Benosky said. “We try to provide access to the most current information and encourage both patients and caregiver to be advocates for each other.”
The idea for a cancer support group in Skaneateles was originally inspired by Marilyn Stregiel, a mutual friend of some of the founders. Stregiel, who lost her battle to breast cancer before the group was formed, has always talked about an organization that could also reach out to other surrounding areas, Pfau said.
“For many people who have undergone treatment, it is too much to have to travel in the evening for a support group,” Pfau said.
There are similar cancer support groups in Auburn and Syracuse, she added.
WeCAre has two contact people for those seeking information through the group. Pfau is one of them, and the other is David Bates.
Bates, who is a survivor of prostate cancer, said he had to receive training in order to be a facilitator and educate people about cancer-related resources. The experience with weCAre has been “eye-opening” for Bates, who said he was fortunate with the care he received during treatment.
Bates said heard stories from other patients and loved ones about insurance companies that would not cover certain things, and about doctors who were less than informative.
“I guess insight is the best way to describe it,” Bates said. “Some of the emotional hardships and the issues with insurance, there were all these things I was not aware that people were dealing with.”
Which is one of the benefits of the organization, Pfau said. People can share experiences and information, which allows participants to be better advocates for themselves and loved ones.
“The more you know about your cancer and its treatment, the more secure you feel in your care,” Pfau said. “Sometimes you really have to dig for (information).”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: WeCAre first anniversary celebration
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: SAVES Headquarters, 77
Fennell St., Skaneateles
For more details: Call Ginny Pfau at 685-8128, David Bates at 497-3446 or send an e-mail to weCAresupport@hotmail.com
“I don't care who they are. We all go blank when we hear it,” said Pfau, 63.
But with so many medical advances being made every year, the term does not have to be met with fear. A year ago, Pfau and a group of people from Skaneateles decided to help fill in the blanks for local people touched by cancer. They started weCAre, a support group for those coping with affliction, including survivors and loved ones.
The group will celebrate its anniversary Sunday with refreshments and an informational meeting. Attendees will be able to get acquainted with people involved in weCAre.
They will also discuss how the group plans to become more active and available during its second year.
Pfau said the group had met twice a month for most of the year before stopping in November for the holidays. Starting in April, weCAre plans to hold one monthly meeting that would last roughly an hour and a half, during which guests and members can see an inspirational program. If they wish, they can talk with other attendees and network, she said.
“The most important thing we can do is help people keep a positive attitude,” Pfau said. “During treatment, you can get depressed and pulled down. Our motto is cancer support through focusing on life.”
According to the weCAre missions statement, the organization is dedicated to “identifying and providing resources, education, advocacy and support” that can be helpful for people dealing with cancer. The leaders have training to council and facilitate, and they are willing and able to assist and educate both patients and caregivers about resources.
WeCAre also has sponsored some educational programs for the community, which the organization plans to do more in the future. Recently, it held a seminar about the benefits of massage therapy for patients.
However, weCAre can serve different purposes for different people, according to Gerry Benosky, an active member. Some people are looking for emotional support. Others seek specific medical or treatment information.
And while the majority of those involved are survivors looking for positive support and an uplifting environment, it is not just the patients who look for help, she said.
“The person who has cancer is not the only one who is affected,” Benosky said. “We try to provide access to the most current information and encourage both patients and caregiver to be advocates for each other.”
The idea for a cancer support group in Skaneateles was originally inspired by Marilyn Stregiel, a mutual friend of some of the founders. Stregiel, who lost her battle to breast cancer before the group was formed, has always talked about an organization that could also reach out to other surrounding areas, Pfau said.
“For many people who have undergone treatment, it is too much to have to travel in the evening for a support group,” Pfau said.
There are similar cancer support groups in Auburn and Syracuse, she added.
WeCAre has two contact people for those seeking information through the group. Pfau is one of them, and the other is David Bates.
Bates, who is a survivor of prostate cancer, said he had to receive training in order to be a facilitator and educate people about cancer-related resources. The experience with weCAre has been “eye-opening” for Bates, who said he was fortunate with the care he received during treatment.
Bates said heard stories from other patients and loved ones about insurance companies that would not cover certain things, and about doctors who were less than informative.
“I guess insight is the best way to describe it,” Bates said. “Some of the emotional hardships and the issues with insurance, there were all these things I was not aware that people were dealing with.”
Which is one of the benefits of the organization, Pfau said. People can share experiences and information, which allows participants to be better advocates for themselves and loved ones.
“The more you know about your cancer and its treatment, the more secure you feel in your care,” Pfau said. “Sometimes you really have to dig for (information).”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: WeCAre first anniversary celebration
When: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: SAVES Headquarters, 77
Fennell St., Skaneateles
For more details: Call Ginny Pfau at 685-8128, David Bates at 497-3446 or send an e-mail to weCAresupport@hotmail.com