I could not have done it without SBTS. The first thing you think of when you hear “cancer support group” is NO WAY, Not for Me! A friend dragged me kicking and screaming to my first SBTS dinner and I fell in love immediately.  I was so amazed that these strangers wanted to help me and hug me and give me advise that the doctors never would.  All I wanted was to get through treatment so I could Pay It Forward too.

As an original member all I can say is how grateful my family and I are to have had this group in our lives during my second diagnosis this past summer. It has been quite odd to be on the receiving end but so much better than going at it alone as we did back in 2002. I so appreciate everything and everybody! Now that I have healed…again, I am ready to pay it forward once again.

As a caregiver I cannot express my gratitude for the unwavering support we received during both my parents passing. Though their mission states: “Our goal is to Pay It Forward, by assisting cancer patients, caregivers and survivors through treatment and on to a quality of life after treatment, in any way they require”, their kindness goes beyond just those who suffer from cancer. My sister and I can never repay them for their generosity thoughtfulness and warrior-actions. I often refer to them as angels on earth and I am so blessed to be able to give back and help their cause as much as I can. 

There are many support groups for cancer patients, and all have an important purpose, but this group is no ordinary support group, Over the past ten years, whenever I have had a patient who seemed to be having a hard time or in need of support, in addition to offering Mass General’s wonderful services, I have often called on the Survivors by the Sea. They have welcomed my patients, engaging them to join with other members to forget about their cancer for a while and know they are not alone.

It’s really hard to summarize what this group means to me in 1 paragraph.

On May 2, 2014, I was listening to the scariest words to ever pass my ears:  “You definitely have cancer”.   Terrified, I turned to my family for support- which I got.  Somehow, though, I was left with the feeling that I needed to be “strong” for those around me.  In retrospect, the fear in their voices was too much for me to handle.  I could not ‘really’ let go:  vent, cry, scream, etc.   

When I went to a Look Good, Feel Better class offered by the American Cancer Society, I met a woman who told me about SBTS.  Anxious to connect with others who ‘got it’, I came right home and requested to join.  Within minutes, I was embraced by the kindest, most generous and supportive people who allowed me to just BE…  I could process my journey at my own pace and express my fears honestly to people who “got it”.  I didn’t need to protect them…They could protect me from walking this path alone.  I will forever be grateful to each and every person who has touched my life through this group.  The Survivors are my family- and always will be.  

When I was feeling the most vulnerable, SBTS carried me through.  All my needs were attended to by SBTS:  emotional, spiritual, physical.  By sharing my burdens and offering relief, this group allowed me to heal.  I am proud to be a member for life and I feel so blessed to be in a position to help carry others as they join us during their most vulnerable time.

Ordinary  women and men thrust into extra-ordinary circumstances, rising to the challenge of fighting through this dreaded disease; supporting each other with laughter, tears and listening ears… Brave warriors guided by strong survivors…. (more…)

When I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in October, 2014 I knew I needed to find a group that could walk through this journey with me. Even knowing  I had a wonderful family that was by my side and very supportive I needed to find people that (more…)