Lora L. Hays, LMFT, RPT Clinical Program Director Cancer Support Community

 Began in 1982  Dr. Harold Benjamin  We have a national office in Washington DC  We have almost 60 affiliates worldwide  CSC- Central Indiana began in 1995  Partnerships with St. Francis, IU and Community Health

 The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer  National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Cancer Care  Cancer Support Community National  All three suggest that survivorship programming is a vital component to comprehensive cancer care  Increased quality and in some cases quantity of life

 Support  Education  Wellness  Social Connections  Information, Assistance, & Referral

 Fight Isolation (Isolation is one of the leading complaints given by cancer patients and their caregivers.)  Lowers depression, fatigue, confusion, and mood disturbances  Enhance quality of life, instill hope, strengthen the will to live and improve relationships with loved ones and family members  Chance to learn from one another  Giving and receiving support

 Cancer 101  Ask the Legal Expert  Pain and Symptom Management  Specific cancer programming: Colon, Breast, Head and Neck, Prostate, etc.  All designed to empower and arm people impacted by cancer with information to help them make appropriate decisions that affect their health, economic status and family.

 Cooking for Wellness (Trademarked)  Creative Expressions  Gentle Stretch Yoga  QiGong  Relaxation & Visualization  Harvard University researchers have found that cancer patients who engaged in mind/body programs experience greater health outcomes that those who did not.

 Humor, Heart and Hope: Laughter through the Cancer Journey  Krafters Korner with Kerry  Book Club  Cinema Wellness  Swing Dance  Healing Portraits  Car Maintenance With Steve  Painting with Watercolors

Having someone who truly understands the fear and challenges of a cancer diagnosis is vital to strengthening and sustaining cancer patients on their journey. It is important for CSC to offer a chance for patients and caregivers to interact socially. This ensures that no one faces cancer alone.