Those are some of the most impactful words that can be spoken. For the person who hears them, it shakes them to their core. For their family, the litany of questions and the action plans for treatment begin to form. For friends and colleagues, those words create action in the form of support in various ways.
In the Lehigh Valley, we have excellent health systems that provide information about cancer, plans for treatment, and top-level care for those who receive a cancer diagnosis. Rightly so, the goal is to remove the cancer in the best way possible to ensure their patient can be cancer free. But the thing about cancer is that the impact is not reserved just for the person who receives the diagnosis. Consider the list above: family, friends, colleagues. They are also impacted by a cancer diagnosis. A diagnosis creates feelings: anger, sadness, fear, and anxiety; responsibilities and roles change. A cancer diagnosis impacts every person differently, and the Cancer Support Community – Greater Lehigh Valley is here for every person impacted by those words.
The Cancer Support Community – Greater Lehigh Valley (CSC GLV) provides psychosocial support for all people impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Oftentimes, the need to talk provides an outlet to help with the mental strain of a diagnosis. For some, one-on-one counseling provides the avenue to a healthy mind amidst the chaos. For others, it’s a support group with individuals going through a similar experience. At CSC GLV, we offer sessions for both those with cancer and those in the support system.
In addition to support groups, we strongly focus on the healthy mind and body concept. From art and gardening therapy to yoga and self-care series for patients and caregivers, we consistently strive to find those places where members can find their center of health and well-being.
Finally, the CSC GLV Wig Salon is one of our most important programs. As we all know, if you like what looks back at you in the mirror, you can take on the world. Unfortunately, for many during treatment, the side-effects of hair loss are too well known. That can have a knock-on effect as people stop feeling like themselves, they don’t like what they see in the mirror, leading to issues in confidence, seclusion, and unhealthy habits during treatment. Therefore, it is paramount to allow a cancer patient to visit our Wig Salon, where they can select a wig of their choice, have it fitted, and learn wig care from a retired hairdresser. If our members look good, they are going to feel good.
One of the special things about the Cancer Support Community – Greater Lehigh Valley is that every program and service mentioned (and not mentioned, as there are many more) is free of charge. We do not bill insurance companies, and there is no out-of-pocket expense for members of our community. As an organization that does not receive government funding, we rely on foundations, corporate partners, donors, and third-party events, as well as hosting some of our own, to fund our programs and services. This is why partnering with community members like the Bridgeman Family and the Do It For Dom Foundation is so important to us.
While Dominic Bridgeman was going through cancer treatment, he wanted to help others who were impacted by cancer. Think about that…Dominic heard the words “you have cancer,” and he wanted to help others even while he faced his own mortality. It is a testament to Ray Bridgeman that he picked up the torch that Dominic lit, and this past July, we honored Dominic and his wish for the 4th consecutive year. As a beneficiary of the event, we will work hard to bring support to members of our Lehigh Valley cancer community in honor of Dominic and for all of those who have faced a cancer diagnosis.
The Cancer Support Community – Greater Lehigh Valley proudly serves Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, and Monroe counties in PA and Warren County, NJ. If you, a loved one, a friend, or a colleague has been impacted by cancer, our community is here for you, because we all believe that community is stronger than cancer.
