Medical College of WI Cancer Center hosts first-ever ‘Care for the Cancer Caregiver’ event

By: William Gooden

In an individual’s battle against cancer, there is an unsung hero who is often overlooked; and that person is the patient’s caregiver. The caregiver gives physical and emotional care to a loved one with cancer and often serves as that individual’s lifeline. Approximately 66 million Americans provided unpaid care as informal caregivers to their beloved relatives in the household1, which is equivalent to 3 in 10 US households, indicating that at least 30 percent of the household population is involved in cancer-related support to serve the lives of cancer patients. Giving care and support during this time can be a challenge. Many caregivers put their own needs and feelings aside to focus on the person with cancer. This can be hard to maintain for a long time, and it’s not good for one’s health. The stress can have both physical and psychological affects. That is why the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society are partnering to provide the tools caregivers need to care for themselves as their loved one. “Care for the Cancer Caregiver-Rejuvenation, Community and Resources” is a unique event that not only celebrates cancer caregivers but offer opportunities to be nurtured and also provide them with the skills and resources to help themselves, so that they can better help their loved ones.

“Care for the Cancer Caregiver,” will be a free event and will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and will be held at Mount Mary University’s Bergstrom Hall, 2927 N. 92nd St. The event will kickoff with registration, a gift bag and exhibitor visits at 9 a.m. followed by a welcome by MCW Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement Professor and Associate Director Dr. Staci Young. The first round of sessions includes:

Harnessing the Power of the Mind: Discovering Perspective amid Uncertainty

This session will discuss the de-stigmatization of mental health and explore the power of responding in times of uncertainty. This workshop will be led by MCW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Associate Professor Lyndsey Wallace, PsyD, ABPP.

How Not to Drown: A Real Conversation About Caregiving

This session is intended to serve as a life preserver, teaching strategies for restructuring your thinking and providing you with a coping skills toolkit. This session will be co-led by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Associate Professor and Froedtert Hospital Nurse Scientist Natalie McAndrew, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K and family caregiver Ellie Engelbrecht.

The afternoon includes a free lunch during which attendees can visit exhibits. Rounding out the end of the lunch period there will be a brief activity, Laughter is the Best Medicine, by Juliet Hass, LPC, LMHC Director at Mindful Counseling and Wellness LLC, which will introduce participants to “laughter yoga.”

After lunch attendees will have the choice of participating in one of three breakout sessions. They include:

Centering You: Chair Yoga

Certified yoga Dr. Jacqueline Robinson-Hunsicker helps caregivers focus on cultivating a healing space for their mind, body and spirit. Wellness for Caregivers: Your Health Matters Perseverance Health and Wellness Coaching Dietician and Director Bridgett Wilder will show you how food choices and exercise are important for wellness. See how small diet adjustments can make a big impact on health outcomes.

Keeping Your Cup Full Through Therapeutic Art Making

Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network Art Therapist/ Psychotherapist Carrie Danhieux- Poole LPC, ATRBC shows you how practicing an art making process for self-care and self-exploration. You will create a woven art piece to take home as reminder of the importance of nurturing yourself in the role as caregiver.

The day will conclude with a group activity to build a network of new supportive relationships and explore shared resources, based on the work of Dr. Paula C. Lowe, author of “Care Pooling – How to Get the Help You Need to Care for the Ones You Love.

Pre-Registration is required by May 24th to attend this event. You can register via the bar code included in this article or on the ad below. For question or for more information you can contact Melanie Burns at mburns@ mcw.edu. MCW Cancer Center’s Community Outreach and Engagement team and the American Cancer Society is committed to reducing health disparities and the burden of cancer in all communities.

This event is the first in a series of events and webinars. Whereas this one is focused on nurturing the caregiver, the following ones will include such topics as navigating the healthcare system, handling the financial challenges, learning make the most of medical appointments and continued tips on care pooling. Contact Melanie Burns for more information at mburns@mcw.edu or at (414) 955-8812.

1. Collins L, Swartz K. “Caregiver Care” Work Paper, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2011