From diagnosis, treatment, and on through survivorship, the mission of the Cancer Patient Support Program at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center is to see no one faces cancer alone.
The cancer journey can often be filled with uncertainty and anxiety for many patients and their families. A helping hand to guide them through the complexities that come with diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship can make all the difference on a path toward healing. The Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP) is a beacon of hope for the many patients, their families, caregivers and friends as they navigate the unique needs that come with a cancer diagnosis.
“By listening carefully and responding thoughtfully, we strive to meet our patient promise and provide patient- and family-centered care. We seek to remove suffering and replace it with grace,” said Richard P. McQuellon, PhD, director of the Cancer Patient Support Program at Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Team members of the CPSP approach patients and their families with a holistic and healing mission. Through individual and group counseling, educational programs and support meetings, they offer presence, stability and compassion during challenging times. Healing music, mindfulness stress management techniques, tai chi, therapeutic music and drumming, chair massage in the outpatient clinic and yoga are some of the unique complementary therapies that help patients. The Cancer Patient Support Program is a valuable resource that helps address patient financial needs, as well as guides them to additional resources including social work services and nutrition counseling. The program, one of the first in the country, began in 1980, and has been widely recognized as a best-practices model for cancer centers nationwide.
With the leadership of devoted community members, and special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, the Wake Forest Baptist Health Winterlark fundraiser plays a key role in funding the invaluable resources that the CPSP provides to its patients. As one of the Triad region’s premier events, it has provided vital funding for the Cancer Patient Support Program for the past 37 years.
“The funds raised through Winterlark are a phenomenal representation of the compassion and support that our community has for cancer patients and their families,” said Lisa Marshall, Wake Forest Baptist Health’s chief philanthropy officer and vice president of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations. “We have such a giving community that plays a valuable role in sustaining this important program.”
This year, Winterlark is more special than ever as social distancing has caused Winterlark to be reimagined from an in-person gala to a virtual environment. Instead of one wonderful evening, Winterlark is now celebrated throughout the month of February. At the heart of the reimagined Winterlark is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that allows for expanded awareness of the Cancer Patient Support Program in new and dynamic ways and asks the question: What would you give so no one faces cancer alone?
Winterlark is a celebration that embodies our community’s spirit of compassion and philanthropy by helping to ensure our cancer patients have the unwavering resources provided by the Cancer Patient Support Program. More than ever, your support is invaluable in seeing no one faces cancer alone.
Learn more about how to support the Cancer Patient Support Program by contacting Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations at 336-716-4589. Stay up to date on Winterlark details by visiting WakeHealth.edu/Winterlark.
