Local couple forms cancer support group

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Al West, second from left and his wife Laura West, second from right, pose with their grandchildren in this submitted photo. The Wests recently founded the North Alabama Cancer Support Group, an organization devoted to helping those battling the disease. Submitted photo

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April 12, 2011

By Adam Smith adam@athensnews-courier.com The News Courier Tue Apr 12, 2011, 02:00 AM CDT

— A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing moment for not only the patient, but for family members.

To help residents offset the physical, mental and emotional trauma brought on by cancer, an Athens couple has founded the North Alabama Cancer Support Group.

Laura West is a lung cancer survivor whose cancer recently returned. Her husband, Al West, said his wife wanted to start the group for caregivers and patients to provide a forum to be able to discuss what they’re going through.

“It’s such a devastating and scary thing and you don’t know which way to turn,” Al West said. “It’s nice if you have the ability to sit there and take a deep breath and look at options like second opinions or going to a cancer center. There’s a lot of things some people don’t think of, but if you’re going through it, you can empathize with their pain and suffering.”

Laura is again going through treatment for her lung cancer, but Al said she’s “holding her own.” He said the couple can empathize with patients and caregivers because they’re been through it before and they’re going through it again now. He added a solid support system can also be hard to find because friends tend to fall away after a cancer diagnosis.

“I don’t know the psychology behind it, but maybe they don’t feel comfortable because most people look at cancer as a terminal issue, so they avoid it,” he said. “Cancer patients need someone to be there for them as a comfort and someone that is interested in their welfare.”

The group was founded four weeks ago and meets each Tuesday at noon at the offices of Lambert Law Firm at 112 West Market Street on the Courthouse Square in Athens. Attorney Michael Lambert is the West’s’ son-in-law and agreed to let the group meet in the firm’s conference room for an hour each week.

West said only one resident has attended each week, but added “it may take a while to get the word out.” He said the good thing about meeting during the day is so patients and caregivers don’t have to drive at night.

“We don’t have an agenda, and we’ve got no rules or regulations,” he said. “It doesn’t cost a penny; it’s absolutely free.”

The American Cancer Society has several support groups, though they’re all in the Huntsville area. Rhonda Holland, a spokesperson with the American Cancer Society, said support groups are a valuable resource to patients, caregivers and survivors.

“Our groups … deal with treatment and care, radiation and how they’re dealing with side effects and how they’re coping spiritually and financially,” she said. “Most of these groups are volunteer-led and those groups get something they can walk away with — a network of caring and empathy.”

She said volunteers often take on the support groups in the capacity of a full-time job, and continually give back to the community.

“Volunteers help make a network of survivors and survivorship, which helps us celebrate more birthdays,” she said.

For more information about the North Alabama Cancer Support Group, contact Al West at rancher_al@yahoo.com.

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Local couple forms cancer support group

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