Holiday Hopes from our Board

As we come to the end of one year and the beginning of a new one, we hope that 2012 will be the year where CSC-SCT opens its doors. But we need your help.  Hear, in the words of our board members, why they continue to devote their time and money to CSC.  Won’t you join us?  Click here to make a gift today.

***

As a founding member of CSC-SCT, I have a goal of seeing this organization open it’s doors in Connecticut.  Having been diagnosed with breast cancer 3 times, I know firsthand the needs of a cancer patient.  When I was first diagnosed at age 38, I had three children between the ages of 1 and 7.  I found that, although there were enough places to turn to for medical attention, there was nowhere to go for the emotional help I needed. Most of the support groups were geared toward the older women diagnosed with the same disease.  I spent hours every day searching the Internet for support… for me, as well as my kids.

I heard about CSC in other areas and what it offered its clients.  I also visited one and felt that CT needed a place like this… I have personally donated money, as well as given countless hours of my time, as I truly believe in this cause.  As someone who is ‘living with cancer,’ I understand the importance of the support services that CSC-SCT provides.  Since becoming involved with the organization, I went through my 3rd diagnosis and required additional surgery, chemotherapy and extensive radiation.  I also have met hundreds of people who have been diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment.

There are so many people who could benefit from this organization and the only thing in our way is the lack of funds.  I am hopeful that we will meet our goal, raise enough money, and open our doors… we have no other choice.

-Rose Ciardello

My mom is a breast cancer survivor.  She was first diagnosed after I was born about 45 years ago.  She had a radical mastectomy.  A few years later her cancer metastasized to her other breast and then again to her lung.  I used to make my mom pictures to hang in her hospital room or at my Grandmother’s where she recuperated after each surgery.  She still has those pictures.  I will never forget the day I walked home from elementary school –she had been at my grandmother’s—and there she was waiting for me.

As an adult,  I always knew I had a high risk of developing cancer so my mom and I finally went for genetic counseling and we are both BRCA +.  I am a previvor – individuals who are survivors of a predisposition to cancer but who haven’t had the disease. This group includes people who carry a hereditary mutation, a family history of cancer, or some other predisposing factor.  I am lucky—disease free so far; but the definition is a burden.

I wonder how my dad did it?  How did he hold everything together when my mom was sick?  My family could have benefitted from services that CSC offers.  I could benefit from services and so could many others.  I am a board member because I believe that the services CSC provides could help so many families deal with a diagnosis of cancer.

-Jen Stahl

Like many others, cancer has struck my family hard.  The experience is both far too common, and uniquely personal.  Medical practitioners address the crucial physical treatment of the person with cancer, yet there is great need for places like CSC where that person, and their families and friends, can address the social and emotional aspects.”

- Bob Carraro

I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and thanks to the efforts of my doctors and the support of my family and friends was able to beat it.

The unexpected part of the whole ordeal for me was the impact it had on my wife and mother. I always knew I would be beat it but my wife and mother weren’t as sure. They probably worried more about me than I did about myself.

I wished that they had somewhere or someplace to turn to other than my doctors and the internet to be able to talk through their worries and concerns.

I think CSC of Southern Connecticut can be that place for families, friends and cancer patients. If my time and effort as a Board member can make that happen I would be ecstatic.

-Bob Breunig

Most people, as well as myself can say that cancer is a disease that has directly impacted my friends and family. Having spent my career in drug development within pharmaceutical companies, I have been fortunate to participate in the development of many innovative drugs that have had a positive impact ameliorating a person’s cancer. However, what has been clear in numerous studies is that cancer therapeutics alone do not provide a complete therapeutic benefit to the cancer patient, and certainly not to the families of patients affected by cancer.

I am proud to volunteer my time to support Cancer Support Community since it is the world’s largest organization dedicated to providing free psychosocial programs to cancer patients and their families. Thus, the gaps in well being that cannot be provided by the pharmaceutical industry can be provided by Cancer Support Community.

Because I am a scientist by training, I also enthusiastically endorse the evidence-based studies that form the basis for the programs offered by Cancer Support Community. There have been well-documented studies demonstrating the importance and benefit of programs offered by Cancer Support Community, and for me, the ability to help cancer patients from both a drug therapeutic perspective and through psychosocial programs provides a satisfying, holistic outlet to help patients and their families affected by cancer.

-Henri Lichenstein

When I was in 8^th grade, my friend’s mom was diagnosed with and shortly thereafter died of breast cancer.  I still vividly remember the complete sadness I felt for my friend and his family.  How could they possibly deal with such a tragedy?  It was unfathomable to me…and, although my family was intact and healthy, my heart ached for their loss.

Since that time, I have lost close family members and dear friends to the disease.  Every situation was different: the diagnosis, the age of the patient, the treatments, the outcomes, etc….But in each case, the cancer affected everyone involved from the patient to each of the family members, the caregivers, friends & neighbors, co-workers and so forth.

The top priority of the Cancer Support Community of Southern Connecticut is to open a facility where we can implement our unique program of emotional and social support for those affected by cancer in our region.  Everyone deserves a place where community and resources can come together to give patients and survivors, family and friends and loved ones, people of all ages who have been touched by cancer the support they need, free of charge.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do something tangible to help my friend and his family back in the 8^th grade.  However, today I am committed to personally giving my time, energy and money to make this long-time vision a reality and truly making a difference in the lives of people affected by cancer.

-Loreen Brown