About Cancer Support Community

Description

Cancer Support Community is a non-profit organization that provides emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and families affected by the diagnosis.

Services include weekly support groups, stress management programs, educational workshops, and networking/social activities designed to empower the patient and caregiver to take an active role in the recovery from cancer within the safe haven of a therapeutic community. All services are provided free of charge.

Cancer Support Community is part of a network of more than 21 facilities across the nation and abroad. Since its opening in 1995, Cancer Support Community (formerly Cancer Support Community–Central Indiana) has recorded more than 50,000 visits from people with cancer and their loved ones.

Established in Indiana  

Cancer Support Community received its charter from the national office in October 1993 and opened its doors to provide direct, supportive services to people with cancer and their loved ones on June 5, 1995.

Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
Kathleen N. Spears, PhD, MHA

Programs

Weekly therapeutic support groups led by licensed professionals

• Educational seminars and workshops on a variety of topics relevant to the cancer journey
• Stress reduction/side-effect management programs; including: yoga, tai chi, relaxation & visualization, and expressive arts therapy
• Networking/social interaction including formal networking groups and informal social events, dinners and parties

Funding

Cancer Support Community is funded entirely through philanthropic contributions from civic-minded businesses, charitable foundations, and generous individuals.

 Our Mission

The mission of Cancer Support Community is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.

Our Vision

Cancer Support Community is the leading provider of life-long support for cancer survivorship. We are a partner in the healing process; providing dynamic, unique, and flexible programs tailored to meet the needs of a growing and diverse survivor population to help them on the journey with, through, and beyond cancer.

Our Philosophy

"Cancer patients who participate in their fight for recovery along with their health care team—rather than being hopeless, helpless, passive victims of the disease—will improve the quality of their lives and may enhance the possibility of their recovery."

Harold H. Benjamin, Ph.D.-Founder, Cancer Support Community

Our Beliefs

• Many, many people recover from cancer.
• Cancer patients can benefit from sharing experiences and support with others, and need not be alone.
• Cancer patients can participate in their recovery along with their healthcare team.
• Family members and friends of an individual with cancer, including children, can also benefit from information and support.
• By reducing isolation, managing stress, and having hope, cancer patients can enhance their quality of life, positively affect their immune system, and gain strength in the fight for recovery.
• There is hope.

Facts and Figures

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. Cancer causes 1 of every 4 deaths. About one-third of the 564,830 cancer deaths expected to occur in 2006 will be related to nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity. 

Indiana

Estimated new cancer cases for selected types for 2006

United States

Cancer that can be prevented or detected earlier by screening accounts for about half of all new cancer cases. The five year relative survival rate for these cancers is about 85%. If all of these cancers were diagnosed at a localized stage through regular cancer screenings, the five year survival rate would increase to about 95%.

(All information provided by the American Cancer Society “Cancer Facts & Figures 2006.”)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cancer Support Community?

Cancer Support Community is a not-for-profit organization that provides psychological and social support for people with cancer and their families. Services include weekly support groups, mind/body stress management programs, educational workshops, and networking/social activities.

Who does Cancer Support Community serve?

Cancer Support Community serves individuals with cancer who desire to improve quality of life and be an active partner with their physicians and healthcare team. Men and women of all ages and cancer diagnoses, as well as their loved ones (family, friends, support persons), are welcome to attend the programs. People who have had cancer and have completed medical treatments also attend to maintain their health while focusing on survivorship issues. A doctor's referral is not needed.

What does it cost to participate?

Absolutely nothing...all programs and services are FREE. Cancer Support Community is a not-for-profit organization and does not charge for any of its services. Financial support is obtained through tax-deductible contributions from generous individuals, community-minded businesses, charitable foundations, and from special fundraising events.

Do participants follow a specific program?

Participants decide for themselves which parts of the program will help them improve their own well-being.

What is the program philosophy?

At the center of Cancer Support Community's program philosophy is the innovative Patient Active Concept developed in 1982 by Harold Benjamin, PhD, founder of Cancer Support Community (formerly Cancer Support Community). It says:
Cancer patients who participate in their fight for recovery along with their physician and healthcare team—rather than being hopeless, helpless, passive victims of the illness—will improve the quality of their lives and may enhance the possibility of their recovery.

Is there research to support what you do?

All the programs at Cancer Support Communityare based on mind/body research that suggests that how you think and feel can have an effect on the immune system.

A survey of the men and women who have attended programs recently asked partici­pants to elaborate on the benefits of participating at TWC. The top answers that came back to us were: 1) improved quality of life, 2) increased feelings of control, 3) in­creased feelings of hope, and 4) connections with others who share similar concerns. We also hear stress management as another important benefit. One person wrote in a comment to the survey question that simply said, “feeling normal.” How important is that when you and your family are going through something so life altering!?

Are medical services available at Cancer Support Community?

No. Cancer Support Community does not have a medical staff. Individuals seek their own medical treatment as they deem necessary. Cancer Support Community helps people with cancer and their loved ones by providing a professional program of emotional support, education and hope.

Is Cancer Support Community program an alternative to medical treatment?

No. The program is meant to support the treatment prescribed by a patient's healthcare team and is not a substitute for conventional medical care. Many physicians, however, refer their patients to Cancer Support Community as a complement to their medical regimen.

Tell me about the staff at Cancer Support Community?

The organization employs four full-time professional staff members, one full-time administrative staff member, and four part-time professional clinical program facilitators. Subcontractors are used to provide additional program expertise as necessary.

Where is Cancer Support Community currently located?

The main facility is located on the northwest side of Indianapolis at 5150 West 71st Street (between Georgetown & Zionsville Road). We also offer some off-site programming at area hospitals.

Are there other Cancer Support Communities?

Cancer Support Community is an affiliate of a national organization, consisting of over 100 locations worldwide, including 24 U.S. based and 2 international centers with 73 satellite and offsite programs and online at The Virtual Wellness Community. All offer a uniform program and follow national quality standards. However, each Community is financially independent and operates with its own Board of Trustees. Cancer Support Community national office is located in Washington, DC.

Board of Trustees

2009 Officers

Chair - Helen Pryor, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies
Treasurer - Jennifer Burke, Volunteer
Secretary -  Robert D. “Bob” Moore, Civic Volunteer
Immediate Past Chair - Gary Stach, Eli Lilly and Company (retired)

2009 Trustees

Sheri Alexander, Gregory Appel
Jay Archer, Duke Realty Corporation
Bea Becher, Civic Volunteer
Tina Burks, RN, Civic Volunteer
Ron Carpenter, Children’s Bureau
Don Courtney, FinishLine
Wayne S. DeVeydt, WellPoint
Deanna Dewberry, WISH-TV Channel 8
Juan Gonzalez, Fifth Third Bank
Linda House, Eli Lilly & Company
Kerry Lea, Baker Daniels
John Langham, Langham Logistics
Gino Lucchese, Alebro
Rebecca Reinold Marson, Beckman Coulter
Susan Matthews, Borshoff
Janie Maurer, Civic Volunteer
David H. Moore, MD, Gynecologic Oncology of Indiana
Robert D. Moore, Chateau Design
Coleman Obasaju, MD, Eli Lilly and Company/Lilly Oncology
Lori Wong, (OSI) Eyetech