Family and Friends Supporting persons with cancer Bobbit Suntay The Carewell Community The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community

A community experience: cancer affects… Persons with the illness Family Friends Caregivers Work colleagues

Psychosocial Stressors feeling helpless, hopeless, and alone Harder to access, engage in, and persist in treatment Harder to respond positively to treatment Harder to cope with and recover from cancer Long range of impact: prior to diagnosis to long after “cure” Vast scope of impact: patient, loved ones, colleagues, healthcare team, etc. Decrease in quality of life Decrease in duration of life

Role of family and friends Mitigating the impact of stressors Help person with cancer live life fully despite the disease HOW? Help with treatment Provide emotional support Assist with practical matters

Help with treatment Gather information on illness, treatments, etc. Accompany patient to medical appointments Help with physical care at home/hospital

Provide emotional support Listen Be present Support decisions Spend time together

Assist with practical matters Chores at home Help with school or work Help with children/dependents Help with transportation/accommodations Help with hospital paperwork Help with finances/insurance

Addressing the 3 stressors Benefits: Decrease in depression, stress, and anxiety in all persons affected by cancer Better communication and relationships between patients, loved ones, and healthcare team Better decisions regarding illness treatment and management Enhanced feelings of well-being, support, and hope Better access and persistence through treatment Improvement in quality of life and in chances of recovery

The Carewell Community The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community We are Patients, Family, Friends Opened our doors in 2006 We provide psycho-social support Dedicated to all persons affected by cancer Resources and services provided free of charge Volunteer-driven Rely on contributions and collaboration The Wellness Community worldwide

The Carewell Community The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community Support Groups and Counseling Medical Consultations and Referrals Library and Resource Center Wellness and Fun Activities Respite Weekends and Field Trips Talks and Workshops Community of persons with cancer and their loved ones

The Carewell Community The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community th floor of S & L Building Dela Rosa corner Esteban Streets Legaspi Village, Makati City

The Carewell Community The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community Cure Magazine 2011 Cancer Resource Guide Caregiving for your loved one with cancer, CancerCare, 2005 The Total Cancer Wellness Guide, Kim Thiboldeaux, 2007 Cancer, Coping, Carewell, Robert Suntay, 2010 Cancer care for the whole patient, National Academy of Sciences, 2008