I am so grateful for the free services provided by Hopewell. I was fortunate to find Hopewell early with my walk with cancer. Hopewells offers a variety of support to cancer survivors and their families. I didn't have any support and knew in order for me to succeed with kicking cancer, I'd better find an organization fast. I called and was invited to speak with one of the social workers. I was invited to join a support group and to participate in a variety of programs and events. I was a little nervous because I didn't look like so many of the other survivors. Not only did the staff embrace me, but the other survivors as well. They all welcomed me with opened arms . I was relieved. Hopewell is a cancer survivor's safe place. Survivors can feel warmth, safe, and not embarrassed with their new appearances. We help and support each other. We laugh and cry together. Friendships are formed. There is no place like Hopewell. It is amazing what programs, events, and speakers the staff provides to our cancer community and not charge us a dime. Hopewell has been with me during my entire journey. I could not have done this journey without my Hopewell family. I am very grateful.
I started to use Hopewell's services right when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in sept 2009. I am fortunate in that they are a couple of miles down the street from me. I went with my husband to Hopewell to get information the day I was diagnosed and the people there are amazing, supportive and full of information. I have been going to the bimonthly breast cancer support meetings since the fall of 2009 and have met amazing people there. We all support each other through of all phases of the life of a person with breast cancer whether it be pre treatment, during treatment or post treatment.
I have also taken advantage of the Children's Circle support group. My youngest son who was 11 at the time and my nephew of the same age benefitted very much from it. It gave them a better understanding of my diagnosis and what to expect.
I have heard many great speakers at Hopewell as well who offer a wealth of information related psychological, financial, medical, and social aspects of having cancer.
My husband has also taken advantage of Hopewell's programs to better understand how to adjust to my diagnosis and find necessary resources.
Hopewell also offers yoga and relaxation courses. I have taken the relaxation/mindful meditation courses and find them very useful.
My family has volunteered the last 2 years for the Hopewell walk and it draws many people to help raise money for this extremely important resource.
I am so thankful for Hopewell and I know many other people are as well.
Ray Ellen Fisher
As a support group facilitator at HopeWell Cancer Support over the past ten years, I am privileged each week to witness the amazing bonds that form almost instantly in the groups and that lead to the sharing and support that the patients and their loved ones find so helpful. These are unique bonds, forged out of the commonality of the cancer experience among those with cancer and their family members. Groups for patients, often divided by diagnosis, and other groups for the family members, including special programs for children and teens, provide the place for support and sharing so vital to those going through cancer.
Through the more than nine years of my daughter's history of cancer, Hopewell provided an understanding and supportive community to her and to me. The staff and program participants were a source of information,encouragement, understanding, and friendships, giving us a forum to express and develop our talents and to be more than a cancer victim and a cancer victim's parent. Both my daughter and I found volunteering for Hopewell deeply satisfying. In addition to a number of support groups for patients, family, children, friends, and cancer survivors, Hopewell provides informational programs, exercise classes, meditation classes,and opportunities for creative work. All of Hopewell's services and activities are free to participants. A cancer diagnosis sends your world spinning; Hopewell helped us regain and keep our balance through times that truly tried our souls.