Thanks to the generosity of donors supporting Buena Vista Regional Healthcare Foundation’s AWARE fund, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center will offer Survivorship 101, a new support group designed to help adult cancer survivors navigate life after treatment.
Through support from the AWARE fund, Melissa Halverson, BVRMC Social Worker, completed a four-week training course through A Time To Heal Cancer Foundation to become a certified facilitator for the support group.
The Survivorship 101 support group will be free to attend and is available for adult survivors of any type of cancer. Various topics will be covered related to recovery, wellness and renewal. Participants will receive practical guidance for life after treatment, including managing long-term side effects, improving nutrition, incorporating exercise, reducing stress and navigating changes in relationships and intimacy. These small-group sessions will provide opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Individuals who completed treatment months or even years ago are welcome to join. Individuals living with recurrent or metastatic cancer are welcome to participate as their health permits.
“Many individuals find that the transition from active treatment to survivorship brings new challenges and questions,” says Halverson. “This program helps participants navigate that change, build confidence in their next steps and recognize that they are not alone in the experiences they’re facing.”
The Survivorship 101 support group will be offered in-person and will meet for 90 minutes every week over the course of nine weeks. To sign up or to learn more, please contact Melissa Halverson at 712.213.8615.
For more information directly from Melissa Halverson, join us online on Thursday, August 6 at 10 a.m. on BVRMC’s Facebook page as she presents during BVRMC’s monthly Young at Heart Facebook session.
In addition to supporting programs like Survivorship 101, the AWARE fund helps purchase items not covered by insurance for patients receiving cancer treatment at BVRMC such as hats, wigs, grocery cards, chemo shirts, mastectomy products and other comfort items. Funds are raised through community donations, helping to make a difference in patients’ lives.
“The AWARE fund exists to support patients with cancer beyond their medical treatment,” said Katie Schwint, BVRMC Executive Director of Community Development. “Because of the generosity of our donors, we are able to invest in programs like Survivorship 101 that address the emotional, social and practical needs of survivors. This program is a meaningful example of how community support directly impacts local patients and families.”
To learn more about the AWARE fund and how you can donate, please contact Katie Schwint, BVRMC Executive Director of Community Development, at 712.213.8601.