As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Joy Cook of Brunswick knew about the Society’s information and programs to help people cope with cancer. But after being diagnosed with cancer in January 2010, she says she experienced first-hand the value the services provide to cancer patients.
Ms. Cook was diagnosed with lymphoma and has been in chemotherapy treatment. Now she’s preparing to undergo tests to determine if she needs to follow up with radiation treatments.
“I knew about the programs and support, but it wasn’t until I was a patient myself that I realized just how important the programs are,” said Ms. Cook, 64, a five-year volunteer with the American Cancer Society in the Brunswick office. “I’ve used everything the Society has to offer. Right after my diagnosis, I went online to find out more about the kind of cancer I have, the questions to ask my doctor and more. I got all the information I could about the treatment, so I was informed and my own advocate when I went to my doctor.”
The American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org, is a comprehensive cancer information site. Its toll-free number, 1-800-227-2345, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and is answered by trained staff round the clock. The ACS Cancer Survivors Network is an online peer support group for cancer survivors and caregivers. And the Society offers a variety of programs and services to help patients and caregiver through their cancer journeys, ranging from Look Good…Feel Better to help women cancer patients with their appearance and self confidence, to Reach to Recovery which links breast cancer survivors with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to personally help them through their experience, to Road to Recovery which provides transportation to and from treatment for cancer patients.
Ms. Cook began volunteering with the American Cancer Society when she moved back to her hometown of Brunswick from Jacksonville, Florida five years ago. She works in the ACS office one day a week. She’s now in training to volunteer at the Cancer Resource Center in Brunswick, which is expected to open in Fall 2010. She will be providing information on Society programs and services to other cancer patients.
Jenni Morris, senior community manager for the Society in Brunswick, says, “Ms. Joy, as we call her, is just a wonderful volunteer who is so willing to help others. And after her diagnosis of cancer, she is even more determined to provide as much assistance to other people suffering from cancer. She is such a great asset to the American Cancer Society.”
Says Ms. Cook, “When Jenni Morris told me about the purpose of Cancer Resource Center, I realized how much of an advantage I had in knowing so much about what the American Cancer Society has to offer. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to help other cancer patients and give them the sense of power that comes from having knowledge and information about their illness.
Meanwhile, Ms. Cook recently attended her first Look Good…Feel Better session. Look Good…Feel Better is partnership of the American Cancer Society, the Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association and is a free program that offers tips on makeup and appearance to women cancer patients. She also received a wig through the Society’s TLC program, an online magazine/catalog that combines helpful articles and information with products for women coping with cancer or any cancer treatment that causes hair loss. Products include wigs, hairpieces, breast forms, prostheses, bras, hats, turbans, swimwear, and helpful accessories at the lowest possible prices.
“I can’t say enough about how helpful programs like Look Good…Feel Better, TLC and others are,” Ms. Cook says. “Until you’re a cancer patient and experience these programs first-hand, you can’t know how marvelous they are.”
To learn more about the American Cancer Society or to volunteer with the Society in Brunswick, call (912) 265-7117.