Nearly 1.5 million people are living with cancer in the U.S. When you factor in the number of family members also impacted, the numbers are staggering.

“Cancer is a very difficult and frightening experience,” says Debi Lillegard, MA, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Park Nicollet Frauenshuh Cancer Center. “We recognize the importance and benefits of helping all who are impacted – patients, families and friends. They all are faced with an enormous challenge – the fight for life.”

A family diagnosis
The center provides counseling, support and education to help all those impacted by cancer. “Everyone is affected in a different way,” Lillegard says. “In fact, family members and friends sometimes have a more difficult time coping with a loved one’s diagnosis. While patients focus their energy on treatments, their loved ones sometimes feel powerless as they passively watch.”

A wide variety of support
Frauenshuh Cancer Center has an excellent education and support staff, which leads various classes and support groups. These classes and groups help patients and their loves ones cope with a new diagnosis or the challenges following treatment. Participants also can talk to others who are experiencing similar challenges or reaching similar milestones.

The center also offers a caregiver class once a month. “Helping a cancer patient requires enormous strength,” Lillegard says. “Before you can help others, you have to be healthy yourself – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s like putting on an oxygen mask during an emergency – you have to put your own on first.”

In addition, the center’s support staff includes:

• psychotherapists, who offer individual, family and group counseling
• an oncology chaplain, who offers emotional and spiritual care
• a music therapist, who helps patients use imagery and relaxation techniques to reduce tension
• a social worker and support services coordinator, who help patients receive necessary assistance, including transportation and financial resources

Patients and their loved ones also can take advantage of Park Nicollet CONNECT, an online social networking site that helps them share information and concerns regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Support for children
Many children must also cope with the struggles of having a parent with cancer. Park Nicollet has joined forces with the Angel Foundation, a Minnesota-based organization that provides resources for cancer patients and their families. “This is a wonderful program,” Lillegard says. “It ensures that children are getting the support and education they need.”

A five-week family program called “Facing Cancer Together” is available for parents and children ages 4 to 18. “Kids go to an age-appropriate group, while parents and adults attend another group at the same time,” Lillegard says. Parents and adults focus on parenting through cancer, while children receive information on a kid-friendly level. They learn to understand emotions, build on strengths, identify support and develop friendships with other children going through similar hardships.

Frauenshuh Cancer Center’s support team provides resources and services to patients and families every day, at every step of their journey. “We help patients and families find inner strength, meaning and hope during the most challenging experiences,” Lillegard says.

To learn more about the support services at the Park Nicollet Frauenshuh Cancer Center, call 952-993-5700 or visit parknicollet.com/cancer.