My Nonprofit Reviews

When I was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2017, I was utterly overwhelmed. The diagnosis came out of the blue, totally unexpected. Once I got over the initial shock, I began networking, talking to friends, friends of friends, health care professionals, and anyone else who could help me cope with having my life suddenly turned upside down. A neighbor recommended I take a look at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia. In January 2018, I shyly slipped into a cancer patient support group in the lovely, historic Ridgeland Mansion. I felt welcomed and at ease right away. The opportunity to discuss my fears and setbacks has sustained me through three and a half years of treatment. Membership in the support group has shifted over the years, but every member has been deeply committed, thoughtful, and sympathetic. We’ve made jokes about our hair loss and numb feet, we’ve shared our coping skills, and we’ve bonded in a way that only people who have gone through the same harrowing experience can. I feel more confident facing whatever lies ahead for me knowing that there are so many people who have been through the same things I’ve been through. All of this has taken place under the guidance of knowledgeable, caring facilitators. The Cancer Support Community is very aptly named.