by Tom Sasvari
MANITOULIN—A group of Manitoulin women are attempting to resurrect a Manitoulin cancer support group for anyone dealing with or has dealt with cancer.
“We are looking for anyone who has cancer, is a cancer survivor, is undergoing treatment—anyone who is or has dealt with cancer, be it personally or in a supportive role, will join our group,” said Terry Mackenzie, who along with Bonnie Young, Ann Cranston and Ciann Strickland are hoping to revive the cancer support group on the Island.
“There are so many people on the Island that are going through, or have gone through cancer,” said Ms. Mackenzie who, as an oncology nurse for 30 years has had extensive experience working with cancer patients. “I have not had cancer myself, but I have dealt with all kinds of cancer patients through my work and hope as part of our group to be able to provide some guidance and support for those people who are dealing with cancer.”
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the local cancer support group was on hiatus in person, but now we feel it is time to get back into meeting in person and to provide support for those who are or have dealt with cancer,” said Ms. Mackenzie.
Ms. Mackenzie explained the Manitoulin Cancer Support Group (MCSG) was started in 1994 by Ciann Strickland as the Circle of Hope by a group of breast cancer survivors. “The group carried on in this fashion until 2013 when it transitioned to a support group for people with any cancer diagnosis and their caregivers. This group met primarily in Kagawong and was facilitated by Mary Buie.”
“This group met in person once per month until COVID and the in-person meetings stopped,” said Ms. Mackenzie. “The group continued to support each other over the phone during the pandemic. We want to revive the bigger group.”
“With the opening of groups and activities, the MCSG decided it’s time to start meeting in person once again,” said Ms. Mackenzie. “A small steering group has been planning for the restart in April which is Cancer Awareness Month. The vision is that this will be open to all people affected with cancer be it personally or in a supportive role. Discussion could be around treatment, side effects and long-term survivorship issues. No one will be forced to speak or share their experiences with the group.
“Please know that you are not alone in this journey here on the Manitoulin and would invite you to join the group for as long as you need support,” said Ms. Mackenzie.
“We are sending around a poster to the Manitowaning Family Health Team with advertising and will be reaching out to other family health teams and medical facilities and agencies on the Island,” continued Ms. Mackenzie.
Ms. Mackenzie said the group meetings will rotate locations on the Island from Little Current, Mindemoya, Gore Bay and Manitowaning. The meetings will be approximately two hours in length and will be held on weekdays and alternating on weekends to accommodate those who are working.
“The first meeting will take place April 12 from 2-4 pm in Mindemoya at the municipal council chambers,” said Ms. Mackenzie. Subsequent meetings will take place on Saturday, May 13 from 2-4 pm at the Gore Bay Legion; Wednesday, June 14 from 2-4 pm at the Assiginack Family Health Team office in Manitowaning; and Sunday, July 16 from 2-4 at the Little Current Legion.
“We will see how it goes, but hopefully the meetings will bring a lot of people out,” said Ms. Mackenzie.
For more information on the Manitoulin Cancer Support Group you can contact Terry Mackenzie at 705-507-0433 tanjmackenzie@hotmail.com; Bonnie Young at 705-377-4998; Ann Cranston at 705-282-7531 or bnaanc@gmail.com or Ciann Strickland at 705-282-7197 seeds24joy@gmail.com
