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Where can survivors help others in need?

Page last modified on: May 27, 2009

Question from marlena: I'm a breast cancer survivor and I would love to get involved and share my story. How can I help out? Where can I go to help counsel women in need?: Answer —Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W.: There are many, many organizations that welcome volunteers, such as The National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and the American Cancer Society. But I would start in your local community and actually, I think you should start with the American Cancer Society.

There's also a great site, the National Cancer Institute, at www.cancer.gov. They have a series called Life After Cancer Treatment, which has a whole list of organizations that you can consider joining. Giving back is a form of empowerment. This is a huge opportunity, and for many the feeling of gratitude after treatment is expressed by wanting to participate in many organizations. Susan G. Komen has the Race For the Cure.

The American Cancer Society has traditionally had a program called Reach To Recovery that connects newly diagnosed patients with survivors.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Fear and Anxiety. Mitch Golant, Ph.D. and Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. answered your questions about dealing with fear and reducing the stresses that can accompany breast cancer.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Mitch Golant, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and senior vice president of research and development for the national office of The Wellness Community, which provides free psychological and emotional support to help people with cancer on their path to recovery. His research focuses on the benefits of online and community support groups for women with breast cancer.

Rosalind Kleban, L.C.S.W. is administrative supervisor for psychosocial programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Lauder Breast Center in New York City, where she leads weekly support groups for women with early and advanced breast cancer.