Finding Support

“I have learned two lessons in my life: first, there are no sufficient literary, psychological, or historical answers to human tragedy, only moral ones. Second, just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.”

                                                                                                          – Elie Wiesel
 

People need support. Sometimes you can find this support by talking to your family and friends. Other times, you may still feel isolated and want to know, “Is anyone else going through this?” Support groups give you a chance to meet people who are experiencing many of the same things you are. To find in-person support groups, ask your doctor, nurse, hospital social worker, or religious institute. The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club are organizations that offer support groups in many major U.S. cities. Online support groups may be more convenient. Whichever you pick, try it a few times. It can take practice to learn how the group process works. You might also consider being matched to a volunteer who has a similar diagnosis to yours through an organization like Cancer Hope Network. The links below help you make the right support decision for you.

Many people find great support from animals, especially cats and dogs. Support can also be found from your faith community and other places you might not even suspect. Often, it means becoming more assertive and asking for what you want.

Articles:

Websites: