Los Alamos Council on Cancer President Diane Hammon announces a new cancer caregivers support group, which kicks off Wednesday. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
On a day when all kinds of love is celebrated throughout the world, a unique love will be recognized 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Valentine’s Day in Los Alamos with the kick-off of a support group for families and friends of cancer patients.
The support group, which will meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, is offered by the Cancer Foundation for New Mexico in collaboration with the Los Alamos Council on Cancer. It will be led by counselor Lori Padilla. MA, LMHC and held at the Betty Ehart Senior Center conference room, 1101 Bathtub Row.
“The Council is a small group but we do mighty work,” Diane Hammon said Friday.
Hammon is president of the all-volunteer group, which was founded in 1956 and includes physicians, nurses, medical professionals, survivors and other interested people striving to increase public awareness of cancer, promote its early diagnosis, and provide support for those patients undergoing cancer treatment.
She said the Council has very limited funding and members do not receive compensation.
“We work from our hearts and give willingly of our time and energy,” Hammon said.
A caregiver is someone who helps a person with cancer and is not paid to do so and there are dozens of them in our community. Many times the primary caregiver is a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, close friend or neighbor.
Caregivers can be deeply involved with a cancer patient to the extent of serving as a home health aide who assists with feeding, dressing and bathing a patient. They also help with transportation, housekeeping and ongoing operation of the cancer patient’s home. Sometimes they are the one who provides that emotional support that is crucial for people with cancer.
But while many caregivers find their work meaningful, life-enriching and satisfying, the sadness and shock of having someone you love dealing with cancer can be very tough on caregivers and sometimes they don’t have a support system for themselves.
Hammon said an intricate part of having cancer treatment for people in our community is having to travel off the hill to Santa Fe, Albuquerque or even out of state. She said the Foundation with the local Council’s help, wants to bring the support group for caregivers right here into the heart of the community.
“We understand that the need for support wains and waxes so the support group will be there when it is needed and we encourage caregivers to come when they can,” she said. “It will be a safe and loving environment in which everyone has the opportunity to share and learn.”
Participants are encouraged to register but can show up on Valentine’s Day even if they have not registered. To register or for more information, call Bob Anscheles, 505.955.7931 or log on to www.cffnm.org. To contact the Los Alamos Council on Cancer, call Hammon ar 505.672-3058 or visit www.losalamoscounciloncancer.org.
