Introduction
"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
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:
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Newly diagnosed with cancer.
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In treatment now or finished with treatment.
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Living with cancer as a long-term illness.
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Having a recurrence of cancer (whose cancer has returned).
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Family members or friends of someone with cancer or someone who had cancer.
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At high risk for getting cancer.
This document includes information to help you:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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:
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means that this section discusses questions that might come up and possible
solutions to them.
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means that this section has helpful hints about how to get started with a
cancer-related activity.
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