Research shows that outcomes for cancer patients improve when they have a strong support community. Building a helping network can help you focus on what’s most important — healing.
I was overwhelmed with the amount of support I received during my cancer experience. The [help] from friends was encouraging.
MyLifeLine Member
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the toughest part is knowing where to start as you begin navigating this challenging journey. If you aren't sure where to start, one helpful resource is MyLifeLine, our free digital support community for people impacted by cancer.
When you join MyLifeLine, you can create your own personal network site to blog about your cancer journey and share news about your treatment. Your site guests can offer social, emotional, and practical support along the way.
Use the Helping Calendar to Coordinate Help
Staying organized while managing a slew of appointments during your cancer care can be challenging. As you go through treatment and recovery, you may find that you need help with things like rides to medical appointments, meals, child care, or pet care. To help you coordinate help with these and other events, every personal network site comes with a built-in Helping Calendar. The Helping Calendar is an exclusive space for cancer patients and their care coordinators to organize volunteers to help with these events and others.
Did You Know?
Having a strong support system is good for our social well-being. It can boost our emotional, mental, and physical wellness, too.
How the Helping Calendar Works
The Helping Calendar notifies your personal network when events are added to your calendar. This way, your friends and family know exactly how they can help, and you never have to pick up the phone. To volunteer for a specific event, your friends and family can simply visit your calendar to sign up. For extra help, you can even designate a friend or family member as a care coordinator, so they can manage your Helping Calendar for you.
You can also use the calendar to notify your personal network about important occasions, such as a birthday, a surgery date, or the last day of treatment. As one MyLifeLine member said, “It’s a great way to disseminate information to a lot of people who are interested.”
Watch this short video to hear how MyLifeLine helped Amber stay organized as she and her family navigated more than 200 medical appointments after her cancer diagnosis.
As difficult as it may be to ask for help, there are members of your community who want to be useful to you. The Helping Calendar is an easy way to stay organized and coordinate help, all in one place.
Exclusively for MyLifeLine Members
Family and friends may not always have the answers you seek. MyLifeLine’s discussion forums are a safe space to exchange stories, coping strategies, and inspiration with other members going through similar experiences.
At CSC, we firmly believe that community is stronger than cancer. At some point during your cancer journey, you’re going to need help. Luckily, your community has your back. Give them the opportunity to contribute. Whether you’re a cancer patient or a caregiver, you’re not in this alone.
I almost look at MyLifeLine as part of [my husband's] treatment. Whatever happens to him, MyLifeLine gets updated. I felt more connected. I felt the support. I felt the love from everyone we knew.
Erma
MyLifeLine Member
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in December 2020 and has been updated.
