Prince George, BC - A new program to support family members of cancer survivors will be offered in Prince George starting October 16th as one of only four pilot sites in Canada, which also include Victoria, Montreal and Halifax. The Empower program will start at the same time as a returning support program, Cancer Transitions, a workshop series for cancer survivors.
"The selection of Prince George as a pilot community for a national cancer program is exciting news," said Shirley Bond, Prince George-Valemount MLA. "With the work of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy well underway, the future of cancer services in the North continues to expand and will encourage even more innovations for regional care and patient support."
"People with cancer often struggle with adjustment after completing treatment, and this also occurs for family members who support them," said Tasha Ahlstrom, regional oncology social worker with Northern Health. "Empower is an opportunity for both the cancer survivor and the family member who has been caring for them to engage in programming to assist with the difficult adjustment phase after cancer treatment is completed."
Empower is a three part program for family, as well as friends, who have provided support for a loved one who has survived cancer. The free sessions include information on survivorship after treatment, medical management and emotional well-being. The Regional Cancer Care Unit at the University Hospital of Northern BC is offering the program through funding secured by the BC Cancer Agency from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC). Empower was developed by a team at the Sociobehavioural Research Centre at the BC Cancer Agency (through a cooperative agreement between the Agency and CPAC).
"Helping someone deal with cancer can be an emotionally draining experience," said Pat Bell, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA. "This new program will be of great benefit to local family members and friends who need to adjust, together with their loved one, to life after treatment."
The Cancer Transitions program is also being offered again. This six part program for cancer survivors focuses on how to move from active treatment to post treatment life (topics include exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical management concerns).
"Improving quality of life is a key focus of cancer patient support programs," said John Rustad, Nechako Lakes MLA. "Empower and Cancer Transitions further contribute to the growing services available to local cancer survivors and their families."
"Prince George’s selection as a cancer program pilot site was due to the great response and participation that we’ve had in our previous Cancer Transitions sessions," said Ahlstrom, "so it is wonderful that we are now able to offer this new opportunity to the support network of our local cancer survivors."
Both Empower and Cancer Transitions will start on Saturday, October 16 and will run from 9:30am – 12:00pm. Individuals interested in participating in one of these free programs can register by calling 250-565-2863 or emailing Tasha.Ahlstrom@northernhealth.ca
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Media contact:
Sonya Kruger
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
250-649-4873