Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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When faced with a cancer diagnosis patients count on their doctors to offer sound medical advice. And they count on their family and friends for support.
But sometimes the newly diagnosed patient wants to talk to someone who has been there.
For more than thirty years a unique program from the American Cancer Society has been helping breast cancer patients, both women and men, cope with their disease, offering support that's only a phone call away.
When Carol Rockett was battling breast cancer family and friends were a tremendous support. But it wasn't always enough.
"THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT HOLLOW FEELING, THAT FRIGHTENED FEELING."
She called the American Cancer Society and learned about their Reach to Recovery program.
Carol Rockett/ ACS Volunteer: "THEY SENT A CHARMING LADY TO MY HOME. SHE'S MY ANGEL, I'VE COME TO CALL HER MY ANGEL. AS A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR, SHE GAVE ME FOCUS, SHE GAVE ME HOPE. WHEN SHE LEFT I WAS A NEW CAROL."
"GOOD MORNING, SALLY. HI THIS IS CAROL. HOW ARE YOU?"
For the past eight years Carol has been giving back, reaching out to others in need so they don't have to make the journey alone.
"YOU PROMISE? I TELL YOU WHAT, LET'S MAKE A DEAL. YOU GO AND LET THEM GO OVER THE WRAPPING PROCEDURE ONE MORE TIME, COME OVER HERE, WE'LL HAVE TEA. I PROMISE I'LL POUR, AND WE CAN JUST CALL IT RAPPING SESSION. OK? BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS OK?"
Carol goes where she's needed. At home, at the hospital, along to a doctor's appointment. And she takes calls day and night.
"QUESTIONS DON'T HAPPEN 9-5. TEARS DON'T COME ONLY 9-5. SO IF YOU WAKE UP AT THREE, CALL ME AT THREE, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE."
Carol knows she's making a diffence for these women and getting much more in return.
"I HAVE AMASSED MANY BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS. IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW A DISEASE, AN INSIDIOUS DISEASE LIKE THIS CAN HAVE A POSITIVE SIDE. AND IT'S KEPT ME GOING. I HAVEN'T EVER, EVER HAD A BAD DAY. I'VE HAD BAD MOMENTS BUT I BOUNCE BACK."
"I'LL CHECK BACK AND DON'T WORRY, THE NEWS IS GOING TO BE OK, OK? HAVE A GOOD DAY SWEETHEART. MY PLEASURE. LOVE YA, BYE BYE."
Powerful words spoken from experience. Experience that helps make things a little easier.
