Coping with a cancer diagnosis can be a scary and emotional ordeal. Time spent in doctor's offices, chemotherapy chairs and radiation suites often reinforces feelings of loneliness for cancer patients and their families.
So Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has launched The Hope Connection, a free confidential support program for adult cancer patients and their families. The Hope Connection provides one-to-one telephone support from caring, compassionate volunteers who have personally experienced the challenges and complex issues of a cancer diagnosis. The volunteers are cancer survivors and caregivers who are willing to listen, provide guidance and offer support before, during and after cancer treatment.
"Patients and their families have been telling us that they need more emotional and personal support as they move through the cancer journey. At the same time, many survivors and caregivers want to help someone else going through this experience," said Jane Kennedy, manager of Patient Advocacy for Vanderbilt-Ingram. "By providing encouragement, guidance and coping strategies, the volunteers help individuals reduce their fear and uncertainty."
To date, 24 Hope Connection volunteers have been trained to provide telephone support to any patient or family member who wants to connect with someone who has been there. Individuals are matched with volunteers who have experience with the same type of cancer or medical issue.
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