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October 9, 2012
The American Cancer Society’s new Ambassador Program at St. Joseph Hospice in Thibodaux is lending a helping hand to area cancer patients.
“If a patient has questions about cancer, needs help in making treatment decisions or in understanding the effects of their treatment, then the Ambassador Program is there to help,” said Shea Austin, American Cancer Society health initiatives representative. “We are excited to have the program available in Lafourche Parish so that patients will have a place to access local and national information from your American Cancer Society.”
Volunteer ambassadors, recruited and trained by the American Cancer Society, are available at the center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to offer assistance and answer questions from cancer patients, their friends and families and caregivers.
“Patients can come here to get information on nutrition and what to do after first being diagnosed, hats, wigs, prosthesis and bras,” said ambassador Renee Talbot. “If we don’t have the information that they are looking for, we can point them in the right direction.”
The program, a partnership between the American Cancer Society and St. Joseph Hospice, is one of only two local ambassador programs in the area that connects patients with local programs and services to help with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
“I volunteered at the one in Houma, and the program there took a while to catch on, too,” Talbot said. “We started making arrangements for this location in January, and all the pieces came together. Patients at Thibodaux Regional Medical Center will be able to come here instead of having to drive to Houma, but we are open to anyone who needs help with information or programs.”
The main programs that the center will link patients with are the “Look Better, Feel Better,” “Road to Recovery” and “Man to Man” services.
“In the ‘Look Better, Feel Better’ program, geared toward women, we get donations from Dillards, Mary Kay and Avon and people from these companies show patients how to take care of skin, which can change due to treatments, or draw on eyebrows,” Talbot said. “We also show them different ways to wear scarves. It’s a hour or two of beauty to help boost their self esteem.”
The “Man to Man” program hosts social and support groups for men with cancer, and the “Road to Recovery” pairs breast cancer survivors with breast cancer patients.
“We are planning a potluck for Road to Recovery next month,” she said. “It gives cancer patients a chance to talk to someone who has been through what they are going through.”
Currently more than 14 volunteers are helping out at the hospice, but Talbot says they are always looking for extra volunteers.
“I want to help people out while I am in school,” said 20-year-old volunteer Patricia Thomas of Thibodaux, who was just completing her ambassador training. “I want to get some experience and put a smile on someone’s face and brighten their day.”
Thomas, a student at Fletcher Technical Community College, aspires to be a doctor, specializing in adult health.
“My mom, Rita Talbot, is also a volunteer,” Talbot said. “My father, Raymond Talbot, passed away with cancer six years ago. We keep up with family of patients who have passed.”
Those who may not be able to volunteer can also drop donations of hats and scarves at the hospice, but monetary donations must be made directly to the American Cancer Society.
“Patients are not alone in this,” Talbot said. “We are here to provide support and info. If you can’t make it here on the days and times, just drop by. The St. Joseph staff is always here.”
Patty McKee, a volunteer with American Cancer Society’s new Ambassador Program at St. Joseph Hospice in Thibodaux, styles one of the many wigs that are available for local cancer patients. McKee chose to volunteer at the center after a close friend’s husband died from cancer.
