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Cancer Companions provide comfort, information for cancer patients
BY Jeff Riechmann
for The Star -News
People battling cancer can feel alone even in a crowded room, but a new organization in McCall can
help cancer patients cope with their ordeal.
Cancer Companions is the local chapter of a national organization that provides support to people with
cancer as well as cancer survivors, caregivers and family members.
The local team of Cancer Companions is spearheaded by Joy Bielenberg of Our Savior Lutheran
Church in McCall using materials written by group founder Karen Tripp of Cottleviile, Mo.
Most Cancer Companions have had significant experience with cancer, and help may come in the
form of a support group, one-on-one meetings or other tools.
Prospective group members take specialized training to prepare them to support people with cancer.
The nine -member McCall group is the only Cancer Companion group in Idaho, but team training for a
Cascade group will start in February.
A variety of topics are discussed in one-on-one meetings, including faith, healing, prayer, stress
reduction, relationships, communication and healthy living. Videos are also shown to help explain the
week's topic.
"It tums out that the topics apply to all of us as we encounter struggles in our daily lives," Bielenberg
said.
Being a Christian is not a requirement to be a participant, she said. "Our meetings are open to
everyone!"
Bielenberg was inspired to form the Cancer Companions group in McCall when she recently attended
a conference and heard Tripp talk after losing a loved one to cancer.
"I had expected to learn a few dos and don't's of supporting a friend with cancer and instead leamed
how 1 could help people in my community as well as helping my friends," she said.
Cancer Companions will resume their meetings at 1 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 13 at Our
Savior Lutheran Church, located at 100 N. Mission St.
Participants may join at any time and there is no cost to participate.
For more information, contact Bielenberg at joy@cancer-companions.org or 634-5905.
http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/info_page.php 12/31 /2015