This unique support group was started several years ago by one of our breast cancer survivors. Through her own cancer experience, she identified a need for someone to talk to who has been through the same experiences. WISER is a one-on-one peer mentoring program. Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients meet with one of our WISER Coordinators and, if they wish to participate, are matched with a survivor/mentor of a similar diagnosis and age. All of our mentors are previous SIU Breast Center survivors and volunteer their help. The volunteers ''contract'' for a year with their new matches. The duties of the mentor are to contact the new cancer patient to talk with them and let them know they are not alone. They are to contact that person once a week for the first month, and once a month for the first year. Face-to-face mentoring visits are not necessary unless you and the newly diagnosed person are willing to meet. Support can come from a telephone call, email or a card in the mail. Some women become good friends, have lunch frequently, and make lifelong lasting relationships. W.I.S.E.R. has proven to be a wonderful program that brings hope and happiness to women and their families.
To become a WISER mentor, we ask you to participate in an interactive half day training session with the breast specialists at the Breast Center at SIU. You are taught about the different types of breast cancer, ways it can be diagnosed, the surgical and reconstructive options, forms of chemotherapy and radiation and why certain ones are used. The women and men (we have a male breast cancer volunteer) are also informed about side effects of treatments and provided with our treatment algorithms. The volunteers then spend time with the psychologist or social worker at the Breast Center at SIU and learn about listening and helping skills, as well as review some past experiences of previous trainees. You will have opportunities to ask Dr. Dunnington and Dr. Peralta questions to help you become a mentor. We also ask that you attend WISER meetings periodically through out the year.
The program has been funded by the Denim and Diamonds fundraiser and the Susan G. Komen Foundation – Decatur Affiliate as well as other funding, which supports the training and the WISER meetings.
W.I.S.E.R Coordinators
Patricia Campbell became a Co-coordinator for WISER in August 2009 after being a volunteer mentor for several years. Patricia was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2005 after a mass was discovered during her annual mammogram. Her initial reaction was one of shock and denial. “It is something you hear about happening to others and never expect to hear it about you.” Patricia decided to take charge and do what she had to do to get well. She immediately began saturating herself with breast cancer survival information and joined support groups in the area. Meeting breast cancer survivor patients who are still going strong after 10, 15, and even 36 years has given her strength and hope.
Upon her introduction to the WISER program, Patricia went through training to become a mentor in 2007 and a training update in 2009. She is truly passionate about the program. “It is wonderful to be able to give back and to provide support to those newly diagnosed. It makes you feel good.” Patricia counts it as a true blessing to be able to help others and feels that the more communication we have with patients, the more we’re able to reach them. She advises breast cancer patients to give themselves time – time to heal, not just the wound, but your mind and body. Be positive. Develop an exercise program.
Patricia is retired from the State of Illinois. Aside from her commitment to the WISER support group, Patricia does volunteer work at her church. Her hobbies include reading, a regular exercise program and babysitting her grandson.
Debby Hoewing, is our other WISER Coordinator. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2006. An ultrasound revealed a small pea-sized lump which when biopsied was determined to be malignant. After much prayer, Debby felt she needed to be more aggressive than a lumpectomy and decided to have a mastectomy performed. This decision proved to be life saving since they found the cancer to be more invasive and much more aggressive than originally thought.
After attending her first WISER meeting, Debby decided to get more involved and has been active with the program ever since. She feels WISER is “so vital to the overall aspect of what you can give to a breast cancer patient. No matter what type of support you have…you need to have the support of ladies who are going through the same thing as you and who understand what you’re going through.” With this in mind, Debby has made it her personal mission to sew pillowcases with pink ribbons and give them to post-op breast cancer patients when sharing the WISER program opportunity.
Debby’s advice to breast cancer patients is to be strong, have courage, faith, and hope. Find something to laugh about – laughter is a strong medicine. She believes having a positive attitude is vital to the healing process. She also suggests getting involved – “don’t think you’re the only one going through this.”
Debby works for Central Illinois Kidney and Dialysis for the Decatur and Effingham area. She lives with her husband in Macon, Illinois. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on August 23rd, 2009. They have four children and nine grandchildren. Her hobbies include sewing, grandchildren, and church choir.