Survivors help shape network to meet their needs

GOSHEN, Ind. - Goshen Center for Cancer Care and area cancer survivors are in the midst of creating a network that will not only provide support and education, but improve quality of life after a cancer diagnosis.

"Support doesn't end when treatment ends, and that's what the Goshen Cancer Survivor Network is all about," said Sandra Carbone, Survivor Network Coordinator. "We are focusing on life after cancer because cancer changes a person's life physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. We want to provide a network that will help survivors address each of those issues."

On Thursday, Oct. 9, 55 cancer survivors gathered for a dinner in the Arbor Conference Center of Goshen General Hospital to share ideas that will help develop this new program. Survivors had indicated their desire to participate by signing up for the network during LiveStrong Day in May, True Celebration in June or during a visit to Goshen Center for Cancer Care.

"We are thrilled at the level of interest," said Carbone, newly-named Survivor Network Coordinator. Carbone came to Goshen Center for Cancer Care after years as Executive Director of Middlebury non profit agency, LoveWay Inc.

"It's inspiring to see this many survivors ready to roll up their sleeves and help create a network for them, by them, that provides the resources they'll need as they continue their journey of survivorship," Carbone said.

After dinner survivors participated in focus group discussions to explore ideas for the new network, from a buddy program that would pair survivors with one another to nutritional health and education to possible outlets for survivors to share their success stories.

"Survivors definitely have wants and needs - and they were very willing to share those with us," Carbone said. "They want personal support, support for their families, education and an opportunity to interact with one another. These ideas will help shape the network's focus. If more than one focus group asked for the same resource, we know it is important."

The next step, said Carbone is to form a Survivor Network Coordinating Committee that will create an action plan for implementing ideas suggested during the Oct. 9 dinner. Twenty-one survivors have signed up to be on this committee.

Survivors interested in joining the Goshen Cancer Survivor Network can contact Sandra Carbone, Survivor Network Coordinator at 574-535-2922 or via email at scarbone@goshenhealth.com.

Goshen Cancer Survivor Network is available to anyone diagnosed with cancer, recovered from cancer and family and friends of those with cancer. The network is open to any cancer survivor, regardless of where they receive treatment.

About Goshen Center for Cancer Care:
The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, part of Goshen Health System, is a leader in innovative cancer treatment. They were among the first to adopt a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. They offer holistic programs for strengthening minds as well as bodies, place a premium on family involvement and spiritual needs, and encourage patients to play a decision-making role in treatment selection. Through this integrative team approach, the center provides medical, radiation, nuclear and surgical oncology as well as naturopathic medicine.

To find out more about the Goshen Center for Cancer Care or Goshen Health System, call 866-561-4673 or 574-535-2888 or visit www.goshencancer.org. For more information about Goshen Health System, contact Bridget Levitz, Public Relations Coordinator at 574-535-2776 or visit www.goshenhealth.org.