"I started out as a volunteer with a local breast cancer project in my hometown. Women who had survived breast cancer were going around to churches telling their stories. I heard about what those women were doing after I had completed treatment for my second cancer. I was starting to get back on my feet and thinking differently about my life. The first time I got breast cancer, at age 35, I went on with life as usual--raised my children, sent them to college, planned their weddings. But after the second diagnosis, 20 years later, it hit me that: 'Hey! You're a breast cancer survivor, and you can do something.'So I started helping other people.

I was very excited about going into the churches because I was brought up in the church, and it was something I felt I could do. Right away, it became a passion for me. I loved the results I got: Women became more aware of breast cancer and were less frightened about it. Anytime you can see that you are making a difference, it is something that keeps you going.

Giving back has helped my recovery. From personal experience, I can say that helping others helps you. It is therapy. It gave me something to do and took my mind off what I was going through. I was able to get involved and get moving. When I'm helping others, I don't have time to think about myself or to have any self-pity, because I'm just too busy. And it helped me to learn more about my own health.

I think my greatest reward is that I have made so many wonderful friends, and that has been valuable to my recovery. My life is richer because I have had the opportunity to help others. I have met so many men and women who have enriched my life and have given me the encouragement to keep on going. I know that there is a purpose and a design to what I have gone through."

—  Mattye, two-time breast cancer survivor, 62

About This Document

Many people want to make a difference in cancer. They may want to learn how to help their neighbors, join an educational group, run in a race, or be part of group that makes decisions about cancer research or programs.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has written this document as a way to help cancer survivors get involved in activities like these. This document is also a tool organizations can use to help people who ask, "What can I do to fight cancer?"

Whether you have cancer or know someone who does, this document has many ideas about ways you can get started in making a difference.

This document is written for people who are:

• Newly diagnosed with cancer.
• In treatment now or finished with treatment.
• Living with cancer as a long-term illness.
• Having a recurrence of cancer (whose cancer has returned).
• Family members or friends of someone with cancer or someone who had cancer.
• At high risk for getting cancer.

This document includes information to help you:

• Learn what it is like to make a difference in the fight against cancer. The document has many stories about people who are involved in cancer-related activities. We hope these stories will interest and inspire you.
• Decide if you want to "get involved" and volunteer to help others. Some people are ready right now; others may never be. You need to decide if the time is right for you to get involved.
• Choose activities that interest you. Finding Ways You Can Make a Difference: A Guide can help you find cancer-related activities you might like to do. The Guide also has ideas about ways you can put your interests, talents, and skills to good use.
• Learn about cancer organizations. The resource section at the back of this document has information about cancer organizations across the country. It includes phone numbers, addresses, and Web sites for many of these groups.

Read this document when the time is right for you. You might want to:

• Read only the chapters that interest you. Some of the chapters may interest you more than others. Read the ones that have meaning for you now. As your needs and interests change, you can go back and read the chapters you skipped before.
• Share this document with a friend or family member. People who know someone with cancer, as well as those who have cancer, may want to learn how they can make a difference and get involved.
• Save this document for another time. You may not be ready, interested, or able to get involved right now. That's okay. Save this document for another time or give it to someone else who wants to know more about cancer-related activities.

Terms used in this document

Cancer survivor is used throughout this document. We use the term to describe someone who is recovering or has recovered from cancer. Survivors can also be family members or caretakers of people treated for cancer. Not everyone likes the term survivor, but we use it to help people think about their lives as more than just a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer-related activity refers to any activity that helps others in their cancer experience. A cancer-related activity can be a one-time event, like talking on the phone to someone who has cancer. It can also be a more long-term activity, like planning a cancer awareness program where you live. We use two symbols to help you find your way through the information in the document:

	means that this section discusses questions that might come up and possible solutions to them.
	means that this section has helpful hints about how to get started with a cancer-related activity.

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