Bridgette Eilers of Keyes has a passion to help people who have cancer - particularly those undergoing or past chemotherapy - and has founded a group to offer support.
She knows first-hand what it's like. She is a year out from undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
"I had an amazing support system that helped me through my journey," said Eilers. "Having three young children, it was a very difficult thing to face."
Bridgette was 29 when diagnosed with cancer and at the time her children were 4, 7, and 8 year olds. Her husband and others offered support to help her fight her cancer. Now cancer-free, Eilers founded a group called The Chemo Crew which will offer a workshop on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street.
"I myself am a ovarian cancer survivor and after going through surgery and treatment I realized that there is a huge need for survivor support in our community," said Eilers.
The session will include a panel of cancer survivors who will speak and offer tips to help cancer victims through their journey as well as share resources that may help those recovering from cancer and chemotherapy. Eilers said she plans to have representatives of Kaiser, Memorial and Emanuel hospitals as well as the American Cancer Society attend as well offering free resources.
"Our hope through this event is to surround someone who is going through cancer with hope - let them know that they are not alone - and help get as many local free resources for cancer patients in one place as possible. I just want people to feel like, 'you know what, I'm not alone.' "
She is planning to possibly conduct a second and third workshops in the fall if Thursday's is a success.
For information on the Chemo Crew, visit www.chemocrew.com.
She knows first-hand what it's like. She is a year out from undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
"I had an amazing support system that helped me through my journey," said Eilers. "Having three young children, it was a very difficult thing to face."
Bridgette was 29 when diagnosed with cancer and at the time her children were 4, 7, and 8 year olds. Her husband and others offered support to help her fight her cancer. Now cancer-free, Eilers founded a group called The Chemo Crew which will offer a workshop on Thursday, Aug. 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street.
"I myself am a ovarian cancer survivor and after going through surgery and treatment I realized that there is a huge need for survivor support in our community," said Eilers.
The session will include a panel of cancer survivors who will speak and offer tips to help cancer victims through their journey as well as share resources that may help those recovering from cancer and chemotherapy. Eilers said she plans to have representatives of Kaiser, Memorial and Emanuel hospitals as well as the American Cancer Society attend as well offering free resources.
"Our hope through this event is to surround someone who is going through cancer with hope - let them know that they are not alone - and help get as many local free resources for cancer patients in one place as possible. I just want people to feel like, 'you know what, I'm not alone.' "
She is planning to possibly conduct a second and third workshops in the fall if Thursday's is a success.
For information on the Chemo Crew, visit www.chemocrew.com.
