No one should feel like they’re alone in their life and death fight with mesothelioma. Across the United States, there are support groups and organizations that want you to feel less alone. You can connect to these foundations and support groups via the phone, in person, or even online.
Support Options for Patients and Families
There are more support options for patients and their loved ones than you might first think. Non-profit groups with active interests in mesothelioma research have done a fantastic job finding support for anyone dealing with mesothelioma. There are also support groups to help the grieving individuals who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma.
How You’ll Benefit from Mesothelioma Support Groups
There are many different ways you’ll benefit from becoming an active member of a mesothelioma support group.
When you join a support group, you will:
- Connect with other people who truly understand and empathize with your current situation
- A sense of peace and relief
- You’ll form an eternal bond with the other members of the group
- Endless support
- Advice
- First-hand accounts about specialists, treatments, facilities, and clinical trials
- Generating a community feel amongst people whose lives have been touched by mesothelioma
- A source of inspiration, comfort, faith, acceptance, and hope
- Help reduce the degree of stress the patient felt after their diagnosis
Many people who have undergone mesothelioma treatments report that they were on the fence about whether or not they should be treated until they spoke to members of a support group who had already gone through the process and reported that they felt the treatment was one of the best choices they could have made.
Cancer support group studies indicate that individuals who participated in the groups reported that they feel less pain than patients who don’t and are more content with their future.
Loved ones of mesothelioma patients also experience a positive reaction when they joined a support group. They report a significant reduction of stress and a more positive outlook.
Mesothelioma Support Foundations
The Meso Foundation is a group made up of families, specialists, advocates, patients and researchers. The primary goal of the group is to find a cure for mesothelioma.
The International Mesothelioma Interest Group a collection of scientists and researchers that are committed to treating and curing mesothelioma. They’re a great source of information regarding clinical trials.
The Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation (CMF) is an online support group that requires an invitation to join. Current members include patients, family members, and caregivers. Visiting the website is the best way to learn how to be invited to join this remarkable group.
Phone-Based Support Groups
Sometimes live support meetings just aren’t an option and chatting with someone online isn’t as comforting as it should be. At these points, phone-based support groups provide the best solution. Here is a list of good phone based support groups for both patients and loved ones.
Mesothelioma Foundation Phone Groups
The Mesothelioma Foundation offers a multitude of options for patients to take part in through various teleconference support groups.
The Cancer Support Community offers support for those who have recently received a cancer diagnosis or those that have been battling cancer for a long time.