Calling All Cancer Survivors!

HOUSTON - Anyone who has survived cancer might just find a new calling in life through CanCare, Inc.

The goal of CanCare, Inc. is to make sure that people undergoing cancer treatments and recovery have someone by their side who really "gets it" that makes the all the difference. These caring volunteers who have experienced cancer are paired up with someone who has a similar diagnosis, then they mentor them throughout the process.

The network of trained volunteers includes not only cancer survivors, but also family members of cancer survivors and medical professionals. They provide emotional support to others facing cancer. This can be incredibly helpful for a patient who feels as though they might burden on their family and friends.

Doctors agree that having a strong support system is huge for anyone suffering from cancer.

Volunteers at CanCare, Inc. are closely paired to a cancer patient, depending on type of cancer, treatments, age and gender. Patients and mentors often meet face-to-face for the first time and then they communicate over the phone and by e-mail.

FOX 26 News met with a couple of women in Houston, who have both suffered from breast cancer, to see what a typical "support conversation" is like. Both women say the relationship is like no other and incredibly helpful. They now expect to be life-long friends because of the relationship they gained through cancer.

Donna Lewis suffered from a rare form of breast cancer in 1998. In 2007, Tara Wineinger was given a similar diagnosis. Lewis got much needed help from a CanCare, Inc. volunteer and now she is helping Wineinger and many other breast cancer patients.

Wineinger says it really helped to have Lewis during the tough times, like when she lost her hair during chemotherapy treatments. She has a great network of close family and friends, but she says help through CanCare, Inc. made all the difference.

CanCare, Inc. is taking applications from cancer survivors and their caregivers to become volunteers and support other cancer patients. Training will take place the weekend of Oct. 8. Anyone interested in applying can visit the CanCare, Inc. website for more information or contact the organization at 713-461-0028.

On the Web:

CanCare, Inc. -- http://cancare.org/default.asp