The Henry County Breast Cancer Support Group, an affiliate of the Henry County Breast Cancer Survivors Network (HCBCSN), has been meeting at the McDonough First United Methodist Church for over 22 years.

  The group meets on the first Saturday of each month, from 1-3 p.m.

  Group facilitator, Pam Nelson, describes the support group as being a place for people that are undergoing treatment to receive the support and encouragement they need in a positive environment.

  “We are a very upbeat group,” said Nelson. “There is a lot of laughter. But if you need to cry, that’s okay too! We have Kleenex, lots of hugs, and shoulders to cry on.”

  The main purpose of the group, Nelson said, is to be a place for people to find others in situations similar to their own and act as a support system for one another.

  “This group of ladies has given me the support and information I needed to deal with breast cancer and helped me cope with the emotional aspects of cancer by providing a safe place to share and work through feelings and challenges,” said Bettie Knox-Brown, group member and seven year breast cancer survivor.

  “Being a part of the group creates a sense of belonging that helped me feel more understood and less alone on my journey,” said Knox-Brown.

  When Nelson receives a call from someone interested in the support group, she pairs the caller with a member of the group with, or who has previously had, a similar diagnosis or treatment plan so they can relate to one another and share helpful information.

  “People may not be sure of the side effects of chemo or radiation unless they talk to other people that have had the same experiences,” said Nelson. “Talking to others that have had similar diagnoses alleviates the fear people feel about going through their treatment plans.”

  Sandy O’Connor has been attending the support group for over three years and has seen the positive impact of this support group on her life.

  “The HCBCSN has been there for me from diagnosis, through treatment and recovery, and now beyond.  Monthly meetings are a time of fellowship with others on a life journey, while freely sharing experiences/know-ledge,” said Sandy O’Connor.

  Over the years, the Henry County Breast Cancer Support Group has worked to raise awareness of the group within the community by placing brochures in doctor’s offices and inviting members to the group by word of mouth.

  Despite Nelson’s efforts to spread the word about support groups by leaving brochures in doctor’s offices, she hopes that doctors will take the next step and begin to mention support groups in their conversations with patients, rather than only providing a diagnosis and a treatment plan.

  “It is a proven fact that people survive much longer when people join support groups than trying to deal with their diagnosis on their own,” said Nelson. “When doctors give the diagnosis of cancer, patients feel shock and fear. Patients need to have the option of support groups presented to them and doctors should make all the information about support groups available to their patients.”

  One of the reasons Nelson is such a strong advocate for the Breast Cancer Support Group is because Nelson has survived breast cancer three times and tonsil cancer once.

  “I wish that I had known about breast cancer support groups when I was going through my treatments. But I hope this group is always there to help anyone fighting breast cancer in the future,” said Nelson. “This group lets them know that they are not alone in their fight. That there is always hope.”

  For more information about the Breast Cancer Survivors Network, visit http://bcsurviv orsnetwork.org/home0.aspx. To join the Henry County Breast Cancer Support Group, call Pam Nelson at 770-707-0187.