A Comforting Place When Facing Cancer…

community
A Comforting Place When Facing Cancer…
The Cancer Support Community
of the Greater Lehigh Valley
BY JEN SINCLAIR, PROGRAM DIRECTOR
AND PAULA REAM-DORWARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
T
he Cancer Support Community of the
Greater Lehigh Valley opened locally in
2004 originally as the Wellness Community.
The name changed in 2009 when the national
Wellness Community (founded in 1982) merged with Gilda’s
Club Worldwide to become the Cancer Support Community.
Although we are an affiliate of a global network, we are an
independent nonprofit organization governed by a local volunteer
board of directors with a small staff focused on the psychosocial
needs of people affected by cancer. We operate entirely on contributions, and all of the
funds raised are used locally in our region serving the Pennsylvania counties of Berks,
Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon, Monroe, Schuylkill, and Warren, New Jersey.
OUR MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE IMPACTED BY CANCER ARE
EMPOWERED BY KNOWLEDGE, STRENGTHENED BY ACTION, AND SUSTAINED BY
COMMUNITY. Emotional and social support groups, educational workshops and wellness
classes are offered at no charge to participants. These programs help to restore a sense
of control, reduce stress and isolation, educate participants to better manage their care,
improve overall health, and redefine hope for a better quality of life during treatment and
in survivorship. Programs serve people of all cancer types and some of our offerings
include all ages. The phrase shared across our affiliate network is that we offer “cancer
support for the whole family, the whole time.” One of our newest and exciting children and
teen programs is the Kempo martial arts series which is a collaboration between Aikido
Masters of Whitehall, the Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley, and Camelot
for Children, Inc. This specialized program is open to all children affected by cancer
– children with a history or diagnosis of cancer themselves and those with a relative
diagnosed with cancer.
We are often asked, what makes us unique? Support groups are facilitated by licensed
therapists, educational programs are presented by oncology professionals, and healthy
lifestyle classes are led by highly trained instructors. Many of our program providers
have been with our organization for years, during which they’ve introduced new
techniques and innovative ideas as we’ve continued to grow. Programs are free to
anyone impacted by cancer – patients, family members and care partners, and are made
possible by a generous and caring community of volunteers, individual donors, corporate
contributors, private foundations, and proceeds from fundraising events throughout the
year.
Boutique at the Rink co-chairs Jan Connell (second from left) and Sharon Kunsman
(far right), and Boutique committee member Mary Frances Stone (far left) presented a
$70,000 check in July to the Cancer Support Community’s Executive Director, Paula Ream
(second from right). The contribution represents a portion of the proceeds from the
41st annual Boutique at the Rink sale in Bethlehem this past May.
The Boutique also shared proceeds with St. Luke’s Cancer Center and St. Luke’s Hospice.
On a beautiful summer day in July, nearly 100 weekend warriors and hardline riders
revved up their engines at the inaugural Ride for Hope, a motorcycle benefit run round
trip from Bicentennial Park in Bethlehem. There was food, music, games, raffle prizes,
vendors, and a Best in Show bike contest. Community sponsors included Fox & Roach
Charities of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, McWane Ductile-NJ, Carrabba’s Italian
Grill, The Hartford, Quillian Tattoo, and more, helping to raise nearly $12,000.
In January 2015, the organization moved from the original location in Bethlehem to a
more conducive facility centrally located in the Lehigh Valley. While it was bittersweet to
leave the charming farmhouse where we found our roots, the new center affords better
space for support groups and educational classes, designated rooms for activities and
resources, and supportive connections have more opportunities to grow. Participants
have commented, “I can meet people now that I didn’t get the chance to see before, and enjoy
more supportive friendships” and “I feel like I’m visiting a place that really knows what I need”
and “it’s a beautiful place to heal.”
Stop in to visit our new ‘home!’ Join us Thursday mornings for Moving Meditation in
our serene indoor sanctuary within the Mind/Body Studio, or join a weekly or monthly
support group such as the Breast Cancer, GYN Cancer, or Lymphedema Support Group
in one of our comforting group meeting rooms, or register for Creative Expression art
therapy held in our butterfly-inspired art area within the Biggar Family Center. Looking
for more information on a specific cancer topic? Come and browse free comprehensive
resources in our educational library or the specialized children’s library.
LehighWomen.com
Annually in September, the Cancer Support Community draws hundreds of people to its
signature Wings of Hope butterfly release held at Cedar Crest College in Allentown.
This lovely free event celebrates the lives of those living or passed, touched by cancer
or not. The morning includes children’s crafts, music, raffle prizes, refreshments,
souvenirs, and visitors can purchase paper or live butterflies to honor or memorialize
loved ones while helping to support the organization. The event culminates with
the release of hundreds of beautiful monarchs tenderly raised especially for the
Cancer Support Community by Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary.
October/November 2015
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