Cancer survivorship group seeks survey input

As the number of people who survive cancer grows, so does the need for survival support and understanding. Cancer has become a chronic disease, with more than 12 million survivors across the nation. Many are living in and moving to Sussex County.

The Sussex County Survivorship Coalition was formed in July 2011 to coordinate the efforts of local organizations that reach out to cancer survivors.

“The idea was that the organizations could schedule their own efforts to address the needs of people living beyond cancer, while at the same time supporting the efforts of the other organizations,” said Judith Ramirez, EdD, manager of psychosocial services and outreach at Tunnell Cancer Center.

The coalition has grown and now includes Tunnell Cancer Center of Beebe Medical Center; Nanticoke Cancer Care Center of Nanticoke Memorial Hospital; Cancer Support Community - Delaware (formerly The Wellness Community Delaware); Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition; American Cancer Society; Leukemia-Lymphoma Society; Cancer Care Connection; and Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Philadelphia Affiliate.

This group strives to create a general access calendar available for survivors to include program and support projects at a glance. This will eliminate duplication of services and familiarize survivors with all programs available in the county to help them on their journey.

The first initiative the coalition has launched is to assess what cancer survivors want and need beyond medical treatment. To obtain survivor opinion, the coalition has created a survey form, which is available from organization members and online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/SurvivorshipSurvey. Cancer survivors are encouraged to participate in this survey.

Members of other cancer support organizations interested in attending coalition meetings may contact Jo Allegro, director of Cancer Support Community-Sussex, at 302-645-9150 for the date, time and place of the next meeting.