When I was diagnosed with cancer, I thought dealing with the diagnosis was going to be the hardest thing I would ever have to go through. Little did I know that just a few years later, my reality — and the reality of us all — would change so significantly with COVID-19.
I’ve been living in isolation since the middle of March, both to protect myself from the virus and because I’ve been sick. While I’m hoping I just have a cold, being sick triggers an unimaginable fear and anxiety that stems from hearing the words “you have cancer” — twice.
Until COVID-19, I was still in treatment, but now those treatments have been put on hold indefinitely. Even if I was well, I would be unable to leave my house because I’m immunocompromised due to my cancer — and therefore at greater risk of serious outcomes if I was to contract COVID-19.
Unfortunately, my story is not unique. So many others in the cancer community right now are living this shared experience. We are scared, and we are hurting.
That’s why the national support system that the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) offers is even more important than ever. For people like me who are living with cancer today, the need for support is overwhelming. CCS offers a variety of digital and phone support programs to provide information about treatment, side effects and more; help reduce anxiety; and ease the stress so many of us are experiencing.
April is Daffodil Month, a time when Canadians come together to support people with cancer — and right now, we need that support more than ever before.
Your donation to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund will help fund a much-needed support system to help Canadians like me who are living with cancer today:
- CCS’ Cancer Information Helpline is open to answer questions about cancer and provide support
- Online and phone-based peer support programs, including Peer Match and CancerConnection.ca, help connect people with cancer with others on a similar journey, reducing isolation
- Trusted health information on cancer.ca, including live online chat, is helping people better manage life with cancer in the context of COVID-19.
If you’re able to, please donate now to CCS’ COVID-19 Emergency Fund and make a real difference for people like me who are living with cancer during COVID-19. We are so grateful for your support.
Thank you,
Dianne Russell
Living with cancer
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The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is the only national charity that supports Canadians with all cancers in communities across the country. No other organization does what we do; we are the voice for Canadians who care about cancer. We fund groundbreaking research, provide a support system for all those affected by cancer and advocate to governments for important social change. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
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