When Becki Galloway was having a low period, a fellow member of the CSCNT Living with Cancer support group told her, “I’m really glad you’re here. Even though you feel this way, we’re lucky to have you.”
“It resonated with me so much, and because of what he said, I ended up working through those emotions more and kept coming back to the support group,” says Becki, who is in remission from leukemia. “I’m really glad I did.”
Becki has been participating in support groups, tai chi, community dinners, nutrition presentations and other CSCNT activities since 2018. “It’s knowing I’m not alone, even though everyone’s experience with treatment is different,” she says. “It’s knowing you have someone to turn to, and as time went on, I was able to give encouraging advice to others. It’s a very safe space emotionally and isn’t a place to be embarrassed.”
Along with connecting in the support group sessions, Becki and other participants interact outside of meetings and have become a network of support for each other. “We provide helpful information on where to turn if a treatment isn’t working,” she says. “We encourage one another to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system.”
After receiving support at CSCNT, Becki wanted to do more, so she joined the Member Advisory Council. It’s her mission to spread the word about our programs as much as she can and share feedback with staff.