The Importance of Community
Learning how to build and lean on community throughout every stage of one’s cancer journey.
Written By: Katie Blais
While the concept of community is simple, the benefits are undeniable. From finding a sense of belonging to improving your physical and mental well-being, leaning on the community around you allows for connection, support, and empowerment. For those whose lives have been touched by cancer, this idea is especially true. From practical support like transportation and meal preparation, to mentoring groups that reduce isolation, one of our greatest assets in fighting cancer is the community that surrounds us.
How to find your community
If you haven’t found your community just yet, don’t worry! Establishing relationships with those around you doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. Before we dive into the importance of leaning on your community, let’s explore how to find one in the first place!
It is important to establish what type of support you are in search of. From resources and practical advice to emotional support and friendship, understanding your own needs will help you find the right community match.
Here are some key ways to find a community rooted in support for patients, survivors, caregivers, and friends.
National Organizations
National Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Stupid Cancer offer support groups to fit their communities' needs. Exploring your local chapter's resources and events is a great way to find other individuals going through similar journeys. After finding an organization that best aligns with your needs, head over to their website, type in your zip code, and explore the resources available in your area. From cancer walks to galas, these organizations offer an array of ways to get involved. Here are a couple of great resources to get your search started.
American Cancer Society Road to Recovery: This program gives patients free rides to and from cancer-related medical appointments. Check out the website for more details on how to find a driver near you!
Stupid Cancer Discussion Sessions: Stupid Cancer discussions revolve around the challenges caregivers face while supporting an adolescent or young adult with cancer. Sessions are virtual and occur multiple times a month.
Online Communities
Online communities offer patients, survivors, and caregivers the chance to connect with individuals from all over the world. Casual platforms such as Facebook and Reddit allow users to join groups with those who share similar stories, helping individuals feel less alone, no matter where they may live. It is also common for national organizations to host online forums on their platforms too. Here are a few online groups to explore.
Facebook Cancer Support Group for All: With over 130,000 members, this Facebook support group is active, responsive, and frequently shares news, questions, and advice.
American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network: This online peer support community has specific discussion boards for all types of cancers. This is a great platform to find specific support and advice, and it is open to everyone.
Peer-Matching Services
Mentorship is an essential part of a supportive community. Nonprofits such as Imerman Angels, CanCare, and Cancer Hope Network match patients, survivors, and caregivers with their peers to provide support, guidance, and shared experiences. In most cases, you will be matched with someone with the same diagnosis and similar circumstances so you can feel understood. Sometimes, your medical care team can be really good at providing treatment, but not feel the weight of what you’re going through. That’s what these matching platforms are for. Let’s take a look at a couple!
Imerman Angels Find a Mentor Angel: Imerman Angels pairs individuals seeking support with a Mentor Angel who has similar shared experiences. Mentor Angels are trained to provide a safe space for their mentees. The program is entirely free.
CanCare One-on-One Support: CanCare is a non-profit dedicated to providing one-on-one support for cancer patients. The organization provides support to patients in all 50 states and has an easy registration process.
Local Resources
Local hospitals and community centers often offer free support groups and events that are a great way to meet people in your area. You can also find free activities hosted by these organizations, such as free yoga, meditation, and arts and crafts. Search for cancer nonprofits in your area, and head to the resources or events section of their website!
We’ve built our community, now let’s lean on it
Once you have built your community, it’s important to remember to lean on them too - that’s what they’re there for! Here are a few tips on how exactly you can lean on the people in your life in a way that feels authentic to you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Vocalize your needs
Let your community know when you may be struggling
Embrace vulnerability
We understand that navigating a cancer diagnosis can bring about feelings of uncertainty and isolation. We hope this serves as a reminder that no matter where you are, there are people in your corner who want to help make this journey feel more manageable.
Interested in hearing more about community after a cancer diagnosis? Listen to our conversation with Alison Silberman, the CEO of Stupid Cancer, who has dedicated her career to policy and patient advocacy work. Stupid Cancer, a New York-based nonprofit that builds the adolescent and young adult cancer community in an effort to end isolation, is at its core rooted in the importance of community. Make sure to listen to the episode to hear about Silberman’s expertise, advice, and nationwide impact on young adults living with cancer.