Surviving the Big C

Perhaps all of us know of someone who is/was diagnosed with cancer. We hear testimonials on how they battled against this killer disease and come out victoriously while others long for encouragement and comfort to fight it. They can be a loved one, a neighbor, a man in the street…they are among us.

When diagnosed with such an illness, you feel the urgency to recover the soonest with the help of your family and support groups within the community. I Can Serve president Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala believes in the power of support groups that conducts information drives about cancer, provide counseling, give financial assistance to patients, among many others. These support groups contribute much to the early detection of cancer and in the healing process (physical and psychological), as well.

I Can Serve is an advocacy group that empowers women with breast cancer through information campaigns. It provides access to support services that will help breast cancer survivors recover. Come September 6, the foundation spearheads a homecoming cum educational forum dubbed Silver Linings for breast cancer survivors from the different parts of the country. It will be a whole day affair packed with important topics that a person has to know on breast cancer from dealing with side effects and treatments to nutrition, and other psychosocial issues, and free consultations. Select media personalities will act as moderators, hosts and speakers. The activity will start at 8 a.m. at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino Grand Ballroom. For registration call 2549370.

Cancer support groups are key players in instilling hope in the lives of the survivors. Kahayag, on the other hand, addresses the psycho-social aspect of the survivor through yoga, meditation and other activities that deal with the mind, soul and spirit. Can with God is another foundation that envisions to provide shelter for the breast cancer patients from the province who seek medical treatments in the city, hence a half-way house where board and lodging is free. It helps indigent cancer patients get free mammogram, biopsy, mastectomy, among others. Cancer Assistance Network (CAN) foundation does counseling and visitation, too. 

Every September, the Rustans Essenses Foundation, headed by executive director Esther Cuadra, conducts a wellness treat for breast cancer survivors dubbed as “Look Good, Feel Good” at Rustan’s Ayala Center Cebu. The treat includes a make-over using famous brands of make-up/beauty cosmetics. Beauty experts and make-up artists tackle on beauty tips and the ways to take care of the skin. Aside from that, foot spa and facial care are also offered for free.

“To heal through simple sharing and togetherness.” This is what Kythe (pronounced as “kayth”) means. A non-stock,non-profit organization, it caters to the psycho- social needs of pediatric patients (specially those with chronic illness) in government hospitals around the country. Founded by Fatima Garcia and Ma. Carmen Castro in 1992, Kythe adopted the “Child Life Program” in 1998 to include all pediatric patients confined in Kythe-affiliate hospitals. The Child Life Program is facilitated by trained professionals called Child Life Specialists who specialize in developmental, educational, and therapeutic interventions for children (and their families) under stress.

Last May 6, the Cebu Cancer Institute of Perpetual Succor Hospital launched its Child Life Program, being the first hospital in Cebu to adopt this kind of program. Among their activities is “Celebrate Life” which is done every month because the organizers believe that a patient’s survival for a month is a reason to celebrate. The program’s main sponsor Pfizer, recently sponsored this month’s “Celebrate Life” where fun activities were prepared by the Pfizer employees themselves and the patients together with their families had the chance to enjoy such moment.

Shalom Rea Varquez, the coordinator of the Child Life Program, wishes that more hospitals in Cebu City would adopt such program and save more children afflicted with critical illness.

There are more cancer support groups who selflessly offer their services and support to survivors for their speedy recovery. Surviving the big C is not easy, however, with the care and support of these support groups, recovery is possible! – with Eunice Amorado