Cancer Survivors Network successful

Cancer sufferers, survivors, and caregivers nationwide and in the Springfield area are finding valuable support through the American Cancer Society's newly created Cancer Survivors Network.

"It's a great opportunity for people to share," said Karen McDonald, public relations specialist for the Springfield-Joplin offices of the ACS. "So many people, when they're going through cancer, are going through it alone."

Interaction

The American Cancer Society created the network to provide a "forum for cancer survivors and caregivers to receive as much support and interaction as they need," according to McDonald. The network was activated in January, she said, and "is growing increasingly active."

McDonald describes the Cancer Survivors Network as "a huge emotional support system especially for those who've suffered the shock of a cancer diagnosis." She added, "It's a multifaceted thing, because not only cancer sufferers and survivors profit from it, but their families can profit from it."

McDonald said the network is a free service and can be reached by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 1-877-333-4673. It can also be found as a link on the American Cancer Society Web site, www.cancer.org.

According to an ACS news release, participants can hear prerecorded discussions of survivors and caregivers as they share personal experiences with cancer in intimate detail. Those experiences range from their feelings upon being diagnosed and how they handled reactions from families, friends and co-workers, to how the disease has changed their lives in both negative and positive ways.

"We really encourage people to utilize the network, and that includes the Web site," McDonald said.

Diverse group

The society created the site to provide a connection "with a diverse group of survivors and caregivers nationwide who have experienced the cancer journey and know, first-hand, that cancer can be survived." The release also quoted Hope Watkins, American Cancer Society Cancer Control Specialist: "Studies show people facing cancer do better when they have a strong emotional support system."

An added benefit of the network, the ACS said, is "the capacity to address the special needs of rural and underserved communities two groups often unable to access traditional cancer support services. Regardless of geographic location, physical limitations, privacy concerns, or familial or work obligations, cancer survivors and caregivers can now obtain experience-based information and support from others like themselves."

The network easily connects to the American Cancer Society's National Cancer Information Center for more cancer information.

Features

According to the release, "Online participants can hear or read discussions from people with similar backgrounds, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, cancer type and cancer status. Network users also can register to become members of the Cancer Survivors Network community, allowing them participation in moderated chats and Internet Web casts; create personal Internet home pages; explore suggested resources; post poems, stories and songs in the Expressions Gallery; and e-mail other registered members."

All information shared on the network is confidential, the ACS said. Watkins added, "By sharing their personal stories and the wisdom of their experiences, survivors and their caregivers can empower one another and gain strength."