They enjoy golf and fishing, play tennis and practice yoga. Some run, others knit (including completing their first-ever sweater not long ago!) One served in the Army and another is a personal trainer and certified nutrition coach.

“Each new class of survivor and caregiver volunteers is a reminder that kindness and strength are in rich supply,” said CHN’s Director of Programs Samantha Schrager. “Thanks to these cancer survivors and caregivers willingness to serve as mentors, we are providing support and hope for clients across the nation.”

• Carly – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• Betty – Caregiver
• Travis – Head and Neck Cancer
• Terry – Anal Cancer 2, HPV+ & grief caregiver
• Perry – Multiple Myeloma/Amyloidosis

The group joins more than 400 Support Volunteers already committed to providing peer mentoring for cancer patients and the people who love them.  To connect with these, or one of our other volunteers, please call our Programs Team at 877-HOPENET (877.467.3638) or visit cancerhopenetwork.org.

The post CHN Trains New Class of Volunteers appeared first on Cancer Hope Network.

“If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or the next year . . . Today should always be our most wonderful day.”—Thomas Dreier

I’m entering my 14^th year since my cancer diagnosis. It began in 2004…An incredible journey traveling along life’s road, taking me from anal cancer patient to cancer survivor.

My wonderful day began when I heard “David you are cured.” So the slow climb from this abyss begins as I blend my art background to heal after having cancer. I sought relaxation and solitude. To create a beautiful artwork through drawing and listening to music I discovered was the best medicine. Over the course of time, I was led on a path of self-discovery grappling with human frailties, where strength and willpower aligns itself with the indomitable human spirit to survive.

Then the unthinkable happened on Tuesday, April 11^th, 2017. My apartment was destroyed by a fire that day. I lived on the 5^th floor of a 6 story building in Queens. My home was located below the fire floor and suffered severe water damage. Witnessing first hand, the realization sunk in my home is gone—a total loss. I managed to salvage a few necessary items such as: a wallet, clothing, shoes and some mementos. Everything else was left behind.

In the end any kind of loss is devastating no matter how big or small it still hurts. One can’t change the predicament only one’s perception. What truly counts is how we react and choose to deal with life’s crises. This traumatic episode of the fire much like the cancer diagnosis all those years ago has reawakened my faith in the power of creativity to heal once again. Both of these life changing experiences consumed much, but in the process seared my very soul yearning for something more. To quell the mercurial and restless spirit propelling it towards something greater as the metamorphosis of inevitable change transcends my life in a whole new direction.

Written by artist, anal cancer survivor and CHN Support Volunteer David John. To connect with David, or another Support Volunteer, call 877-HOPENET (877.467.3638) or visit cancerhopenetwork.org/support

The post Art and healing after cancer appeared first on Cancer Hope Network.