Catonsville, MD (PressExposure) June 17, 2010 -- The LLS Maryland Chapter is proud to partner with St. Agnes Hospital in sponsoring a blood cancer support group to be held on the evening of June 21, 2010 at the Catonsville Presbyterian Church on 1400 Frederick Road, Catonsville, Maryland. This month's topic is "Celebrating Survivorship" and the group will hear from a couple of survivors and will also share their own stories of survivorship.
As the Patient Services Manager at LLS (Maryland), Tracy Orwig sees the life-changing peer support and networking opportunities provided to blood cancer patients and their caregivers: "People helping people - that's the power of the group," says Tracy, "Survivors who are further along in their journey giving back by sharing information and perspective with newer patients - information that provides vital hope and support."
Coming together in Catonsville, this support group is committed to reaching out to those with leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and myeloma in meaningful ways. This and other programs are developed by LLS to meet the needs of patients, families and oncology professionals; the people who deal with cancer everyday and the people who care for them.
Dottie Spriggs of Catonsville, Maryland can testify to the powerful impact that the support group has had in her own fight with cancer. When she was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 2000, the shock hit her like a ton of bricks as she struggled to come to terms with the unexpected diagnosis of cancer! For a long time, she endured the agonizing emotions that range from fear to depression and anger.
Since discovering the Catonsville-based support group four years ago, Dottie has faithfully attended almost every meeting. "Sharing stories with other patients and survivors has been so encouraging," says Dottie. They have shared life-changing information about new medications, treatments and patient resources. She owes her positive outlook and fighting spirit to her doctors and the familiar faces in the support group. Dottie has now been in remission for nine years and she is giving back by supporting those who have just started this journey. She looks forward to interacting with new and old faces next Monday evening. For more information about this group or other patient services that LLS provides, contact Tracy Orwig at Tracy.Orwig@lls.org or 410-891-1861.