About the Cancer Survivors Network

Mission
The Saint Joseph's Cancer Survivors' Network (CSN) is a volunteer organization whose mission is to promote cancer survivorship for all who are living the cancer experience.

Purpose
The purpose shall be to maintain survivorship as a component of the Saint Joseph's Cancer program's continuum of care by:

1. Offering support to individuals with cancer and their caregivers throughout the cancer experience from diagnosis to remission, and all the struggles in between.
   
2. Ensuring emotional and spiritual support, education and collaboration among survivors, their caregivers, health professionals, and the community at large.
   
3. Modeling positive values such as autonomy, self-direction, personal control, and sustaining reasons for hope during the cancer journey.

Programs & Services

Education

• Sharing the Journey Lunch & Learn series
  Free monthly programs geared toward increasing education about cancer prevention, early detection, cancer treatment and side effects, and coping with cancer.
• Annual Sharing the Journey Conference
  A full-day community education program featuring a wide variety of cancer related topics.
• Cancer Resource Library
  Includes over 2,000 books on cancer prevention, treatment, nutrition, spirituality, and psychosocial support.

Support

• Telephone Support Program
  Program that matches individuals with similar types of cancer for the purpose of lending emotional support in a one-on-one context.
• Monthly Support Groups
  Free support groups for breast, head & neck, lung, and prostate cancers. We also maintain a community-wide listing of over 100 cancer-related support groups in the Atlanta metro area.
• Patient Visitation Program - "The Living Room"
  Cancer survivors and caregivers specially trained to visit with patients and their families (inpatient and outpatient areas) offer hope, emotional support, and resources.

Community

• Community Outreach
  Cancer survivors and caregivers represent Saint Joseph's Hospital and the Cancer Survivors' Network at cancer-related community events and health fairs. We are interested in building and maintaining partnerships with religious institutions and other cancer organizations in the community.
• Support Group Facilitator Training Program
  Professionally-led training for individuals who are interested in starting or leading a cancer support group.
• Celebrate Life Party
  Annual event held in June for members of the Cancer Survivors' Network and their families.

Executive Committee
The Cancer Survivors' Network is led by a volunteer Advisory Board referred to as our Executive Committee. Elected every two years, these passionate and dedicated volunteers are truly the backbone of the CSN and help determine the direction of our educational outreach and support programs.

The 2007-08 Executive Committee members are listed below:

Bill Hartigan, Chair

Shannon Myers, Secretary

Members at-large:         

• Lisa Allin

• Kathy Beeninga

• Jerry Broder

• Andrea Clay

• Cynthia Copes

• Jeff Copes

• Terry Davenport

• Barry Finley

• Charlotte Hartigan

• Judy Kelner

• Dick Mace

• Nancy Mace

• Marty Wilson

For more information, contact CSN at CSNinfo@sjha.org.