New cancer support group created

Special to The Jefferson Herald
Sharon Stalder, of Jefferson, well-known in the community for her 18 years of successfully battling cancer, says she’s learned that one of the most effective ways to live with the disease is to get together occasionally with other survivors and caregivers, talk about experiences and offer each other encouragement.

So last August, she contacted other cancer survivors and caregivers she knows in the area and asked if there was interest in forming a new Greene County Cancer Support Group, and there have been monthly meetings held since then.

One meeting is held on the third Tuesday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church in Jefferson at 7 p.m., with another held the Thursday immediately after the third Tuesday at the H.F. & Maude E. Marchant Memorial Library in Scranton at 4 p.m.

Group members can go to either or both meetings, which last about an hour.  There is no fee and refreshments are provided.

Stalder, who works as a para-educator in the Greene County Community Schools, leads the discussions and meditations, encouraging all to be as open as they want to be with their own stories and concerns.
Her cancer, which she has been treated for three times over the years, is the rare hemangiopericytoma.

She says of the “dozen or so” people who meet in Jefferson and a group of about the same number who meet in Scranton, “they are dealing with some very rare cancers and some more common ones.”

They are finding that in sharing their stories, “they are encouraging each other and being encouraged, too.”

Stalder recently answered questions about the support group’s founding and meetings.

Q. Who can attend?
A. At the onset of this group, local promotion was used via the Internet, local businesses, fliers to all churches and public libraries in Greene County for an informational meeting.

A listing of current cancer survivors was used for a mailing for the meeting for the month of September, and additional survivors have been and continue to be added to this listing.

Caregivers are also encouraged and welcome to attend.

We hope to reach cancer survivors in all three stages of survivorship that the American Cancer Society recognizes: those living with cancer, the initial diagnosis; those living through cancer, post-treatment; and those living beyond cancer, surpassing the 5-year post-treatment time.  

An open invitation to the public is extended.

Q. What does a Greene County Cancer Support Group meeting include?
A. The format we are using, but will change upon request or suggestion, is this:

1. Meetings begin with lightheartedness.  

The cancer disease is certainly nothing to laugh about, but by sharing lightheartedness, we are able to laugh, which makes us feel alive.

2. A monthly topic of discussion is shared.

Topics thus far have included “sharing how to be encouraged,” “dealing with fears in the three recognized stages of cancer,” “being gracious through the stages of cancer,” “having HOPE” and “new opportunities.”

3. We wrap up the meeting with shared concerns and “celebrations,” then close with a prayer.

Q. Why was this group formed?
A. As facilitator for this newly formed group, I was moved to act on a passion that developed  from the support and encouragement that I personally had and continue to receive in my cancer journey.

A crisis like the disease of cancer can lead to an opportunity. I visited with numerous cancer centers and survivors, read many books and articles trying to find out the top ways to reach cancer survivors, and it was clear to me that sharing personal journeys was a top way to reach and share support.

Such a group was not available in Greene County, so I began to gather ideas for beginning such a group.
For more information about the group and its meetings, contact Stalder at 515-386-8485 or by email at stalder@netins.net.