Caregiver Support
Caregivers are very important to a cancer survivor and how they get through treatment. Many times there isn’t enough recognition or support of what the caregiver does. Not that the cancer patient isn’t thankful, they are just trying to get through their own journey and it’s tough in that moment of fighting to focus on whether their caregiver is taking care of themself or has enough support surrounding them.
Not until after I was through treatment did I realize that my husband could have used more support. Unfortunately, I never thought to ask him how he was doing. In addition to taking care of “me” full time he was also working at a very high stress job full time. Many times family and friends think they are doing enough or maybe don’t think that the caregiver needs extra support. The caregivers I have seen put on a brave face and go full speed ahead to make sure that their loved one is their number one priority.
It’s really important that the caregiver feels love and support from the support team that is built around the patient. Also, the caregiver needs to take time for themself to release their thoughts, take a break from “caregiving” and breath.
Two organizations that I want to talk about that fully support the caregiver are Imerman Angels and Cocktails & Chemo. During my treatment, I heard about Imerman Angels, but didn’t really look into the details of what they did. I had heard about this organization before my diagnosis when I was looking for jobs in the nonprofit world, but I didn’t realize how much they do for cancer patients and caregivers. I wish I had looked into their mission more for my husband, however I don’t know whether he would have reached out to them at the time. I wish that this great organization would have been given to him by my doctors or care team as a support after my diagnosis. He was going through it all along with me. After my treatment, I found out more about the mentors that Imerman Angels have and I decided to become a Mentor Angel myself. I wanted to be there for someone who was looking for one-on-one support from a survivor that could empathize.
Imerman Angels - Imerman Angel’s mission is “To provide personalized connections that enable one-on-one support among cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.” Through their unique matching process, Imerman Angels partners individuals seeking cancer support with a “Mentor Angel.” These one–on–one relationships inspire hope and offer the chance to ask personal questions and receive support from someone who is uniquely familiar with the experience. Mentor Angels can lend support and empathy while helping cancer fighters and caregivers navigate the system, determine their options and create their own support systems.
Request support from an Imerman Angels mentor here.
Not until a few months ago did I learn about Cocktails & Chemo. This is an organization that I wish my nurse navigator shared with my husband and family when we went over my journey details. My husband would be going through this journey with me and needed support just as much as I did. I didn’t realize it at the time and wish I did.
Cocktails and Chemo - The foundation is on a mission to care for the often forgotten caregivers. It's a lonely, thankless job and helping caregivers feel supported and find others who "get it" is at the center of everything at The Cocktails & Chemo Foundation.
Cocktails & Chemo is a community of people who “get it”. Patients, family and friends can nominate a caregiver and let Cocktails and Chemo handle the rest to recognize them for the time, energy and love they have put or are putting into their second job (one that they will never quit). Care packages and cards can be sent to remind the people you love, they aren’t alone.
Caregivers in the Chicago, Indianapolis or Minneapolis area, please checkout an event near you for support and recognition here.
As I come across other organizations and programs for caregivers to participate in on their own time or with their loved one, I will make sure that I share this information.
