Thanks to the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation for Our $2,000 Grant

A warm thank you to the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation for providing us with a $2,000 grant. This is our second time being funded through this national foundation. Grant money will be used to support our Gifts of Love program.

Gifts of Love provide one-time financial assistance of up to $1,500 to cover short-term expenses for residents of southeastern Wisconsin battling cancer. Typical Gifts include a rent or mortgage payment, gas cards to get to and from doctor appointments, grocery cards to provide food for the cancer patient and their family, or gift cards to the patient’s favorite restaurant or movie theater.

Although there are programs that fulfill cancer patients’ physical or emotional needs, Chix 4 a Cause is the only nonprofit organization in southeastern Wisconsin that provides financial and emotional assistance to cancer patients. Through our Gifts of Love program, we show that Cancer Has Its eXtras (CHIX). Community members are willing to step up and provide the financial and emotional support that the majority of cancer patients desperately crave.

If you or someone you know is battling cancer, contact Chix 4 a Cause to learn more about our Gifts of Love program. Visit chix4acause.org today.

Prepare for Cancer’s Aftermath

It’s an exciting time when your doctor declares you to be cancer-free. This is definitely reason to celebrate! However, keep in mind that you’re not out of the woods. There’s still a long road ahead. Here are four things to remember when preparing for recovery.

Lesson 1: Transitioning to recovery is stressful.

Although active cancer treatment is one of the most physically demanding periods in your life,

survivorship can be even more mentally and emotionally demanding. Being declared clear from cancer doesn’t mean everything can go back to normal. You now have concerns about ongoing monitoring, loss of a structured and supportive environment, problems with reentering society, and diminished physical wellbeing because of treatment effects. Your biggest fear probably will be that the cancer will return, or you may develop a new cancer. Regarding this last concern, if you feel a new lump, notice a symptom, or discover some other concern, track it for two weeks. If it doesn’t improve, call your doctor.

Lesson 2: Your fight isn’t over when it’s over.

Your post-treatment/survivorship phase of cancer involves physical, mental, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual changes. Whether positive or negative, you probably will experience issues related to some or all of these areas. Keep in mind that changes are normal, necessary, and to be expected. This is part of your new normal.

Lesson 3: You have to plan for recovery.

Although active cancer treatment had every moment scheduled for you by your medical team, this type of care typically stops when you’re declared cancer-free. As a result, you need to plan for your recovery. A good resource to use is the ASCO Survivorship Care Plan. One side of the document has information about the treatments you had. The other side has plans for the future and many resources. Share this resource with your doctor if they don’t already have a plan in place.

Lesson 4: Cancer may provide opportunities for positive changes.

Many positives can result from facing your own mortality. You might make fitness or lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of cancer overall. Or, there could be interpersonal relationships you decide to improve on.

If you or someone you know is battling cancer, reach out to Chix 4 a Cause. Learn more about our Gifts of Love program at chix4acause.org today.

How to Show Support When a Friend Has Cancer

Finding out from someone else that a mutual friend has cancer brings up a variety of emotions. Surprise, sadness, frustration and anger are common. Although you probably want to do something, you may not know how to proceed. The thought of someone having cancer may make you uncomfortable. You might be unsure whether you should do anything. Rest assured that you should reach out to your friend. Here are some suggestions to approach the situation.

THINGS TO AVOID:

Avoid saying “I know you’ll be fine.” Nobody knows whether your friend will be fine. The beginning of a journey with cancer is scary, anxiety-ridden and full of uncertain outcomes.

Avoid saying, “I knew someone who had that type of cancer and they’re fine.” Odds are that person didn’t have the exact same diagnosis or treatment. Don’t share this information in the beginning. It may be more appropriate down the road.

THINGS TO KNOW:

Know that your friend with cancer will be glad to hear from you. Share with them how you received the news and that you’ve been thinking of them ever since. Most people with cancer will be open about what’s going on. Contact from caring friends who provide a sympathetic ear is helpful.

You might begin by asking your friend how they found out about having cancer. Perhaps it was through a routine medical exam, something unusual or suspicious that caused them to consult a doctor, concerns over family history or something else.

Once you’ve started a conversation, other subjects should come up naturally. You could inquire, “What sort of treatment is planned?” “Where will you be going for treatment?” “When will your treatment begin?” “Will you be missing work?” Or, “How’s your family doing?”

Offer specific ways to help. For instance, “I can drive you to an appointment.” “I can sit with you during chemotherapy.” “When you’re off work, I’d love to get together for lunch.” Or, “Let me know when a good time to visit might be.” Although these offers may not be accepted, they’ll be appreciated.

The more you talk, the easier it’ll be. When your friend is ready, you can move to topics unrelated to cancer. There’s more to life than cancer. Staying interested in other parts of life show your friend isn’t letting the disease define their life.

Promise to soon check in with your friend and plan a social activity. Seeing a movie, going out to lunch, shopping or participating in another fun activity will get their mind off cancer. Stay flexible with the timing, as your friend may be too tired when the planned activity comes.

If you or someone you know is battling cancer, contact Chix 4 a Cause. Learn more about our Gifts of Love program at chix4acause.org today.