Blog

March 1, 2021

By Anne Dabbs, 
NCAN TN Chapter Leader, NET Patient

Twenty years ago this month, after 7 years of misdiagnosis, a lovely lady received her neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis.

She saw first hand the lack of NETs information available and within two years decided to take action. She embarked on a journey to bring awareness and education to others who shared the same diagnosis. Today, the Net Cancer Awareness Network leads a community of over 10,000 people, including 33 Chapter Support Groups in the United States.

Since 2003, It has been NCAN’s mission to educate and support the Net Community. Our Chapter Support Groups are a vital part of this goal. They provide personalized support for NET patients, their caregivers and their families. NCAN has provided over 71 regional conferences for patients and caregivers over the last 18 years. National Conferences are held every other year, alternating between the east and west coasts. As multi-day events, the fellowship and friendships born at NCAN conferences have led to the formation of our Chapter Support Groups.

An NCAN Chapter Support Group may be just two members or it may be 50 plus members. It will likely include several patients and family members who are willing to share their experiences with Neuroendocrine Cancer lifestyles. Some groups are purely social, but most center around fellowship with educational opportunities too. Members may or may not share their stories, their feelings, and that’s ok. Sometimes you just need to be with others who understand what you are going through. A newly diagnosed patient can gain strength and encouragement. “Old timers” can offer experience and solace. Our group leaders facilitate the meetings to insure that confidences are always respected and judgement is withheld.

The camaraderie exchanged at Chapter Support Group meetings gives patients, their families, and their advocates the opportunity to get to know others living with similar challenges. They are places where lasting friendships are are built upon the sharing of common attitudes, interests, fears, and goals of living with a rare disease. They are places to extend a helping hand, and places to receive a helping hand. There, as part of our NCAN family, you will likely hear words of assurance: “Yes, I’ve been there too; I understand.”

Please visit us online to find the location of an NCAN Chapter Support Group closest to you. We look forward to welcoming you to the NCAN family, where absolutely no one fights alone.

Find out more about how YOU can help the NET Community.

Disclaimer: NCAN blog posts are the opinions of its writers and are not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Please consult your Health Care Providers for individual concerns.