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"Being a
Buddy is one of the ways I use to define to myself who I am. As a Buddy,
I am able to connect with another on a personal, intimate level, offer
something of myself to the community, and move my convictions from words
to actions. That's a pretty big return on a small investment of time."
"My Buddy and I hit
it off from day one. What a godsend she was. I will be
forever grateful for her support! So, I guess you can say that she
made a really big impact on my day to day living. I certainly hope
the Maine Buddy Program continues because people that go through what I
went through need people like my Buddy! At some point, I think I
would consider training for becoming a "Buddy" to someone who will be
walking in my shoes, and hopefully, I would be as inspirational as by
Buddy was to me."
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Maine
Buddy Program
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back
~ Chinese proverb |
If you are facing your own or a loved one's cancer diagnosis and treatment, or
if you are grieving a loss to cancer, the Maine Buddy Program can help.
The statewide, one-on-one program provides an important complement to support
provided by family and friends by connecting you with a trained volunteer who
has "been there" in a similar cancer experience.
How can a Buddy help?
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Buddies can use their unique perspective to provide support,
hope, and encouragement as you move through your or your loved
one's cancer journey or grief process
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Buddies can provide an opportunity for sharing information
and for talking through treatment options and other decisions
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Buddies can share their own cancer stories and strategies
for coping |
How does the program work?
Because everyone's needs for support are different, the program is
flexible, connecting people in many ways.
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Buddies are available at any stage of the treatment or loss
experience
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Matches can be made using a wide variety of individual
criteria, including but not limited to, the type of cancer or
treatment, age, and geographic location
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Buddies can choose to talk over the telephone or they can
agree to meet in person, if possible
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You can talk with a Buddy once, or stay in contact for a
period of many months |
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For information on finding a Buddy, please call Jani at the
Cancer
Community Center
or email
jani@cancercommunitycenter.org.
For information on becoming a Buddy, please
click here.
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