Virginia Lee (left) and Gwen Nacos cheer on paddlers at the 2022 edition of the BDO Cedars CanSupport Dragon Boat Race | Photos courtesy of CedarsCanSupportHelping cancer patients and their families – one person at a time The Montrealer August 17, 2023 1286 Cedars CanSupport has been helping people cope with cancer for almost 40 years A cancer diagnosis is traumatic. It can turn one’s world upside down. Months – sometimes years – of cancer treatments can have debilitating physical side effects and take a serious toll on a person’s quality of life, well-being, relationships, and career. And, it can also be hard for a patient’s family members, who have to watch their loved one suffer and face the possibility of loss. Cedars CanSupport exists so that no one has to go through this difficult journey alone. It was founded in 1984 by Gwen Nacos, after she underwent treatment for cancer at the MUHC. While Gwen was fortunate to have lots of support from family and friends, she realized that many others weren’t as lucky. “I noticed that many patients lacked the resources and the support network that I was privileged to have, and I was not aware of any services that existed to help them,” she explains. “Plus, people are vulnerable when they’ve been diagnosed with cancer. They don’t necessarily know what questions to ask or what kind of assistance is available.” “Founded in 1984 by Gwen Nacos, Cedars CanSupport is run by a team of professionals whose goal is to improve the quality of life of people who are coping with cancer.” So, she decided to take action. She began by distributing pamphlets at the Royal Victoria Hospital and then started pairing patients with volunteers, to help them deal with the emotional, psychological and spiritual issues that can arise after a cancer diagnosis. Today, Cedars CanSupport is run by a team of professionals whose goal is to improve the quality of life of people who are coping with cancer. In collaboration with the MUHC’s Cancer Care healthcare team, they provide a wide range of free programs and services to cancer patients and their family members. These include: Psychological support Financial assistance Educational services Complementary therapies (like yoga, massage, meditation, art therapy, and music therapy) Support groups Social activities Beauty and skincare workshops Free wigs and turbans A resource centre that provides information about cancers, treatments, and external Cedars CanSupport also relies on a team of dedicated volunteers, who play a variety of roles at the Cancer Centre, all of which aim to make life a bit easier for patients and caregivers as they navigate their way through the complexities of appointments and treatments. “Our volunteers make a big difference, whether they’re helping people register for appointments, find their way around the hospital, find information about their cancer, find the perfect wig, or even find a taxi,” explains Cedar CanSupport Director, Dr. Virginia Lee. “Sometimes, the most important thing they do is to offer a warm smile and some kind words. We cannot underestimate the power of one small act of empathy – it can make the difference between a bad day and a good day.” Adds Cedars Cancer Foundation President and CEO Jeff Shamie: “Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of MUHC cancer patients and their families, by funding research, education, clinical care, and supportive care. Cedars CanSupport is vital to what we do. It’s through Cedars CanSupport that we meet our patients’ and families’ emotional, psychosocial, physical, and spiritual needs. It’s our way of focusing on them as people, instead of focusing on their disease.” For more information about Cedars CanSupport, or to make a donation, visit www.cansupport.ca. “Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of MUHC cancer patients and their families … Cedars CanSupport is vital to what we do. It’s through Cedars CanSupport that we meet our patients’ and families’ emotional, psychosocial, physical, and spiritual needs. It’s our way of focusing on them as people, instead of focusing on their disease.” – Jeff Shamie, President &CEO, Cedars Cancer Foundation Cedars CanSupport volunteers pay it forward by giving their time Rami Chaouki outside the Resource Centre, on the ground floor of the Cedars Cancer Centre Cedars CanSupport has volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. Some are retirees, some are still in the workforce, and some are students. What they share is a desire to make a difference and, in many cases, a desire to pay forward the kindnesses they received when they experienced cancer themselves or with a loved one. Take Rami Chaouki, for example. Rami is 29 years old and has been a volunteer since early 2023. Rami staffs the Resource Centre on Thursday afternoons and can usually be found sporting an expertly-styled purple turban as he helps people find brochures about their type of cancer, tells them about upcoming Cedars CanSupport activities, or helps them try on head coverings. “I started volunteering as a way of giving back. When my father was dying of cancer, we were on the receiving end of so many acts of kindness from volunteers, and it really helped. I wanted to be on the giving end, for a change. But now, I do it for different reasons. I do it because I get as much out of helping others as they get out of it. I do it because it keeps me grounded and humble. I do it because it reminds me how precious every day is.” Volunteers wanted! If you would like to become a Cedars CanSupport volunteer, email Racha Hajjar at [email protected].
