..When Greg’s wife Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer, he could not “fix” it, which was frustrating for him because he is a service manager at a local auto dealership. But he could “be there” for her, and so he was.
It was important that Greg share Jackie’s cancer battle. He confesses to “feeling powerless,” but he went with Jackie to doctors appointments and treatment sessions. Jackie always carried a notebook and Greg “tried to keep up with her” and made sure that he understood what was being said by all the healthcare providers.
Greg didn’t realize it at the time, but having an ABCD mentor for himself would have made his journey less stressful, too. So when he found out that ABCD encouraged family and friends of breast cancer survivors to become mentors, he signed up for training. Since 2003, he has “been there” for today’s patients, as an ABCD Family and Friends mentor. “Whether I have one conversation or several, I encourage husbands and partners to believe that ‘being there’ makes a difference.”
ABCD is offering mentor training specifically designed for new Family and Friends mentors.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
8:45 A.M. – 3:15 P.M. at Summit Place, West Allis
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ABCD MENTOR, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE at 414-918-9222 or 800-471-0322
