After Hours Support Groups Meet the Unique Needs of Survivors

Cancer Services’ After Hours Support Group, founded in 2011 for those who work or receive treatment during the day, has further evolved to better meet the needs of our clients. Meetings held every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. will now feature special topics or presentations to cater to those unique needs. These topics include special education sessions for the newly diagnosed and a chance for young adult cancer survivors to meet with peers.

The first Wednesday of each month will be “An Introduction to a Cancer Diagnosis.” These meetings will benefit anyone wishing to acquaint themselves with the facts and vocabulary of cancer and its treatments.  Director of Support Programs Esther Sachse, LCSW, explains, “The newly diagnosed cancer survivor has an immediate need for accurate information regarding their cancer diagnosis and treatment options.” Dr. Andrew Lauve, an oncologist at The Pennington Cancer Center at Baton Rouge General, adds, “Lack of knowledge during a diagnosis or treatment is a huge struggle for many patients. It’s important for them to get as many resources as possible so they can absorb the information they need.” In addition to educational events like these, Cancer Services also offers a full Library/Research Center.

Third Wednesdays cater to the needs of young adults aged 18-44 living with, through and beyond cancer. This group gives them the opportunity to meet with those who can empathize with the struggles of balancing cancer with family, work and social lives. Adult Programs Coordinator Natalie Depp, LCSW, facilitates the group and explains the need, “Young adults need support from their peers going through the same things. We provide an atmosphere where they can develop new friendships while sharing information, experiences, fears and hopes.”

Second and fourth Wednesdays host a traditional support group, open to anyone in the community dealing with any type of cancer. For more information about Cancer Services’ Support Program, call 225-927-2273.

Pancreatic Cancer Support Group Beginning in April

Pancreatic cancer survivors and caregivers gathered at Cancer Services on January 28 for the 2nd Annual Pancreatic Cancer Survivorship Luncheon and were treated with some exciting news. Beginning on March 2, a new Pancreatic Cancer Support Group will be held at noon at Cancer Services on the first Monday of every month, joining the 16 other groups the agency already hosts.

Joe Balfour, a 13 year pancreatic cancer survivor, has undoubtedly been through many difficult treatments and surgeries but claims that, “The hardest part about this disease is finding someone to talk to.” Cancer Services now provides Joe and all those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a way to find each other.

According to the National Cancer Institute, pancreatic cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in a lower survival rate compared with those for other cancer types. These pessimistic statistics can leave many of the diagnosed feeling hopeless and isolated, even within the cancer community. Their unique situation makes the need for a support group all the more meaningful and important. Esther Sachses, LCSW, Director of Support Programs at Cancer Services, explains “Those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have lots of questions and not many answers. Sometimes the best answers come from fellow survivors who can truly empathize with their situation. We’re happy to provide the opportunity to bring these people together to help ease their cancer journey.”

For information about this group or any of Cancer Services’ programs, contact 225-927-2273.

Coach Skip Bertman, Marvin Borgmeyer Lead Annual Giving Initiative

On Friday, February 9th Cancer Services gathered a group of dedicated volunteers charged with raising money to benefit those living with cancer in our community. Coach Skip Bertman and Marvin Borgmeyer spearhead the 2013 Annual Giving Cabinet.

In addition to fundraising throughout the year, Coach Bertman will also be the keynote speaker at Cancer Services’ Annual Giving Kickoff event held at Lod Cook at noon on March 19th. For more information about the event, contact Chrissy Dupuy at 225-927-2273 or cdupuy@cancerservices.org.

All money raised through Cancer Services’ Annual Giving stays in this community to benefit families affected by cancer by meeting the educational, financial and emotional needs that arise with a cancer diagnosis. As funding from other sources decreases the importance of Annual Giving rises.

For more information or to donate, contact Cancer Services at 225-927-2273 or visit our website www.cancerservices.org.  

Announcing New CEO Brian Hannah

Cancer Services announces the appointment of Brian Hannah as the agency’s new CEO as of January 2, 2013. Hannah replaces current Executive Director Mimi Riché, who is retiring after serving for the past seven years. “We will miss Mimi and all she has done for Cancer Services. She has truly been the leader we needed to propel the organization to new heights and we wish her well in retirement,” says Matt Colvin, President of Cancer Services’ Board of Directors. “The Board conducted a very diligent search over seven months in order to attract the best candidate. The search has culminated and we are confident that Brian's experience, leadership and enthusiasm will further the mission of Cancer Services that our talented staff carries out each day.”

Brian shares the Board’s excitement, “Since 1959, Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge has worked diligently to improve life for those living with cancer. As incoming CEO, I follow a long lineage of wonderfully compassionate leaders, who have each left their indelible mark on this organization and the community it serves. I am honored to have this opportunity.”

Brian’s experience stretches across nonprofit healthcare and for-profit business settings. Prior to Cancer Services, Brian worked 23 years with North Oaks Health System in Hammond, Louisiana, leading the most aggressive growth and development initiative in the hospital’s history. In 2011, he founded Hannah & Company, LLC, a management & consulting services company. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from the University of Saint Francis in Jolliet, Illinois.

2012 Annual Report: "A Life with Less Worry"

On top of all the health problems that come with a cancer diagnosis, many families struggle with serious financial worries as well. Cancer Services is here to help lessen that worry for our clients. Our Direct Assistance program is designed to help families cope with the high costs of a diagnosis through financial assistance, loan of medical equipment and distribution of nutritional supplement and medical supplies. After being diagnosed with tonsil cancer, Gary “Lee” Bihms began to worry about how much it affected his family’s finances. Not only did his treatments and medications cost substantial dollars, he had to take a year off work. Thankfully, Cancer Services could help. He took advantage of our mileage reimbursement service to help cover the gas expense of going to oncology-related appointments, as well as our nutritional supplement service when Lee’s treatment kept him from eating. “It would’ve been really hard without Cancer Services. They really helped me with what I needed to get by.”  Additionally, through our Healthcare Navigation program, we’re able to refer hundreds of families like Lee’s to other resources through our extensive network of other financial and healthcare agencies and programs. 

Lee’s story is just one example of how Cancer Services helps fill in the gaps for those living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. And through our Support Program, he’s helping others fill in their own gaps. Now a few years out of treatment, Lee attends the Oral, Head and Neck Cancers Support Group, where he and other cancer “veterans” pass on advice to those just starting their journeys. He has even donated supplies to pay forward the support he received. For more information about Direct Assistance services call 225-927-2273.