In Family members and friends are cancer survivors too, I posted that although we acknowledge -- to a certain degree -- the care family members and friends lovingly and selflessly give to someone dear to them who has been diagnosed with cancer, perhaps as a community, we do not do enough to show our support or appreciation. Family members and friends won't ask for anything or ever complain about anything. They fear being visible might take away some benefit for their loved one in overcoming cancer or somehow make the cancer for their loved one worse.

As a result, in giving all they have mentally, emotionally, and physically in caring for someone who is struggling to survive cancer, caregivers do not always take care of themselves. On top of this, in trying to remain in the background so that all the attention can be given to the cancer patient, they can be overlooked. Not intentionally do we treat them as invisible or less significant than the cancer patient they care for, but never-the-less, it happens.

I am compiling resources for the caregiver and family and friends. We need to reach out and make sure our caregivers know how much we care, how much they are appreciated, and let them know while they might not be the one diagnosed with cancer, they are equally a cancer survivor. Following is the beginning of caregiver resources we have found:

Today's Caregiver

Today's Caregiver magazine is all about caregivers -- for caregivers, about caregivers and by caregivers -- featuring information, support and guidance for family and professional caregivers as an online presence of the print magazine. The Today's Caregiver website features newsletters, online discussion lists, back issue articles of Today's Caregiver magazine, chat rooms and an online store.

National Family Caregivers Association

Often, caregivers can suffer depression, pain, isolation and loneliness. The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) is an advocate for family caregivers in offering support and education -- and in working to improve the quality of life for caregivers. The ultimate goal of the organization is to raise the level of recognition and reward for family caregivers in acknowledging, on a federal, state and societal level, the contributions caregivers make in caring for others.

Cancer Caregivers

Cancer Caregiving -- tools to help you help -- has created three separate areas for the caregiver. Tools for Me provides tips for relaxation and facing the range of emotions caregiveres expereince; Tools for Us has a feature called Starting Conversations where you can start a conversation online; and Practical Matters. You must be a registered member to access this information but they do provide an extensive list of resources without the need to sign in as a member. Registration is free to use all the caregiver tools they offer.

Cancer Caregivers Strength for Caring

According to information provided by Caregivers Strength for Caring, an estimated 50 million Americans provide care for an adult relative or friend and are one of the most overlooked groups within the healthcare system. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company joined with the nation's leading caregiving organizations, academic centers and foundations to create Cancer Caregivers Strength for Caring, a comprehensive online resource and community for family caregivers

National Organization for Empowering Caregivers

Organized by state and caregiver needs, the National Organization for Empowering Caregivers provides assistance, education, support, referrals and respite volunteers for informal family caregivers, as well as promoting public awareness about the realities of caregiving. We are committed to encouraging collaboration with other caregiving organizations in order to create a user-friendly clearinghouse of existing programs dedicated to helping family caregivers.


Cancer CareGivers R Us

Cancer CareGivers R Us is a Yahoo! Health Group with 427 members established to provide a place where cancer caregivers can share personal experiences as a caregiver and offer each other support with the stresses and concerns of being a caregiver for a family member or friend struggling with cancer. Members can share resources they have found and tips they find useful in being a caregiver. The group is also a place to share the happy times and celebrations.

As a cancer survivor, I do not know if I could have gotten as far as I have in my life as a cancer survivor without the devotion of care from the people who loved me. Without caregivers, how many cancer survivors would have survived the grueling treatments and days to recovery? If you have a caregiver in your family, or a friend who is a caregiver, take some extra time to spend time with them and let them know how great they are for all they do.