Thursday, April 12 at 5 p.m. at Orcas Island Community Church

By Carol Kulminski

What do you say when a friend or loved one tells you they have cancer?

Finding ways to be understanding, compassionate, and supportive can be challenging to the caregiver. Everybody is different and many can be helped by someone who simply spends a few hours a week listening and providing support.

This month’s Cancer Support Group guest speakers, Michael and Sue Lewis, are ordained Stephen Ministry caregivers who have provided over eight years of confidential support to people with cancer. The Stephen Ministry program is a non-profit, non-denominational program that provides distinctly Christian care to people going through hard times.

Caregivers trained to really listen to what people say about their situation can often glean the heart of need that the individual has not been able to identify for themselves. Michael and Sue will show the group how they can help each other with the same techniques without the necessity of a formal program.

The Cancer Support Group will meet on Thursday, April 12, in the Fireside Room of Orcas Island Community Church at 5 p.m. Everyone touched by cancer, whether personally or by someone close to you, is encouraged to attend. The Cancer Support Group is a no-cost, confidential program that meets monthly. For more information call Bogdan or Carol at 376-4198.