In September of 2007, the OpenArms Cancer Support Group began as the chemo brainchild (you won’t find that one in Webster’s so just roll with it), of three cancer survivors, (Ella, Michele & Leslie). When they started the support group, Pastor Michael Hoffmann (pastor at the time) of Grace Lutheran Church in Thomasville, offered the use of the church’s educational building as a place for the group to hold their meetings. No one knew then where this concept would go.
The three survivors knew that there were many other like themselves who wanted/needed to get together to talk through the many side issues of living and dealing with cancers that the doctors simply had no time to address. As the women had been through a number of different forms of cancer: Breast, uterine, colon, liver, bone & lung – they decided it was important to welcome anyone with any type of cancer into the group.
No one, they realized, should ever have to go through this alone.
At this same time, it was decided to include anyone who may not have cancer themselves but who might be dealing with cancer of a family member or friend or any cancer caregivers. The very first meeting found one of the founders in the hospital so the other two led the group. There were about six people at that very first meeting.
It was agreed at that time that the group would meet the first Monday of every month, (except during those months when the first Monday is a holiday, in which case they would meet the second Monday), @ 10:00 a.m. @ Grace Lutheran Church, 115, Unity Street, Thomasville, North Carolina. Today the group has approximately forty-five members on their mailing list for the group’s monthly newsletter. Membership is free as is the monthly Newsletter.
Once a month, the group gets together to share coffee, snacks and free flowing discussions about getting through the cancer experience. We laugh and cry together. We learn from each other. And we discover very quickly that we are not alone. No matter what experience someone brings to the group, they will see other heads nodding in agreement. There is such great comfort in knowing that others have been there and lived to tell the tale.
In February of 2008, the group formed a team The Warriors of Grace for the Davidson County Relay for Life. They won the title of #1 Fundraising Team for that event.
The Open Arms Cancer Support Group is open to all cancer survivors, from the newly diagnosed, to those undergoing treatment and to those who completed treatment for cancer. Additionally, any caregivers and those who have someone they are close to who is dealing with cancer are welcome to attend. We do have guest speakers in periodically but the main focus of the group is learning from and emotionally supporting other survivors.
Everyone is welcome. |