Nine years ago, my stepfather was diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t live in the same city as him at the time, but on a trip home, I joined him for one of his chemotherapy sessions. I’ll never forget that day. My mother and I sat with him in the sterile area the hospital had tried (and failed) to make look comfortable and relaxing as the blue bag of chemicals dripped into his veins. He fell asleep, but she and I sat silently, our minds working overtime on whether his treatment would work. (I’m sorry to say it didn’t.)
I remember noticing that many of the other patients were there alone. I was happy that my stepfather had my mom to join him each time, but I wondered if he and the other patients might benefit more by having other people around too—people who had been through chemotherapy and understood what he was going through, people outside of family, who weren’t so emotionally invested in his treatment, possibly preventing him from getting the kind of support he needed.
Recently I learned of an organization that does just that for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Carolina Breast Friends, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is committed to uniting and helping women with breast cancer in all stages of survival. One of the many support services they offer is inspiration groups, where survivors of breast cancer assist and support other women going through varying types of treatment.
Rene Timpone, Vice President of Carolina Breast Friends’ Board of Directors and a breast cancer survivor herself, says that companionship of women who have been through the same thing is a huge source of inspiration and support. “It helps take your mind off of what you’re going through. You end up laughing with each other as you face the biggest adversity of your lives.”
Other support services include inspiration jars, which are jars that are distributed to newly diagnosed women containing quotes and wishes from survivors, and comfort bags, which are full of products women will need to help them with their treatment. CBF has also established a medical fund to assist underinsured or uninsured women in paying for their treatment.
But perhaps their biggest initiative to date is Project Pink House. Project Pink House was the vision of CBF founder Kristy Adams-Ebel, who lost her battle with breast cancer before her dream was realized. Project Pink House is an actual house that will serve as the central location for supporting breast cancer survivors and newly diagnosed women.
The first house will be built in Charlotte, but Kristy’s dream was to eventually have Pink Houses all over the country. The idea is to create one location where women can come for support, encouragement, information, and assistance. Women will have access to myriad services, including counseling, nutrition information, a fitness center, a boutique with prosthetic garments, wigs, and other “pink ribbon” items, and lodging for women who need to stay overnight for appointments or treatments but don’t live in Charlotte.
A local architect has volunteered to work on the design and build of Project Pink House, but CBF is hosting a fundraiser to help with the many other costs involved in getting Project Pink House up and running. Oysters on the Lawn will take place on October 20, 2007 at the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte. Local chefs will prepare their signature oyster dishes as attendees sip on cocktails, bid on unique silent auction items, and dance to the sound of Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters. If you don’t live in Charlotte, you can still support the cause by donating online.