To the Editor:

The Cherokee Cancer Support Group is in its 20th year. We couldn’t have progressed without donations from individuals, EBCI Tribal Council, local churches, and fund-raising events. We were fortunate to be a recipient for a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Region.

All proceeds go for the client’s care and needs, as each one differs due to age, gender, and diagnoses.

We offer assistance, but do not persist. On hearing a prognosis, we give clients time to absorb the information, respecting their privacy, resiliency and reservedness.

To justify clients served and show our accountability, assistance is given from information on a referral from Cherokee Indian Hospital or a signed doctor’s treatment plan. All information is kept confidential.

Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m., beginning with a pot luck dinner. We invite a guest speaker from a different profession such a health, finance, etc. Meetings are open to the public.

The executive board consists of 12 members, all volunteers, giving their time, knowledge, and skills to make this group what it is today. They are exceptional. Business meetings are held the last Monday of each month at 10 a.m.

As stated in our mission statement, we provide educational resources to prevent mortality through early detection, strengthen by action, and sustained by community, direct services provided to the clients.

We have overcome barriers that have kept us in our comfort zones by sharing experiences and giving empathy as well as receiving it.

Several clients have attended Camp Bluebird, a retreat in Hendersonville for cancer survivors from throughout the state. Those who have attended have found that to be a part of a communal life setting lessens feelings of social isolation.

Cherokee Cancer Support does not see you as a number, or a name on a piece of paper. Clients are special to us — personally, we are here for you, no matter how long the process. We encourage other support groups to give direct services to their clients because their needs are so great due to loss of job, financial burden and emotional support.

Flora Bradley

Cherokee Cancer Support 

Group Facilitator