by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

Dr. Carolyn Reed, talks with members of Bealer's Buddies at a luncheon honoring Hollings Cancer Center volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

Barry Bealer felt alone, scared and anxious the day he received tragic news he had lung cancer. Yet Bealer had enough courage to turn his tragedy into an example of hope and compassion for other cancer survivors and sufferers through a unique program called Bealer’s Buddies.

An East Cooper resident, Bealer learned how to cope with cancer after learning he had late stage two lung cancer in 1994. Because the cancer had already spread to the nearby lymph nodes, Bealer’s condition was serious. Bealer, along with his wife who is a registered nurse, began a search to identify the best place for care. Contacting the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., the Bealers discovered that their search led them to a place no farther than their own backyard—MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. He came under the care of Carolyn Reed, M.D., professor of surgery and head of thoracic oncology.

Bealer met with Reed to discuss surgery and choices for treatment. Unsure of the outcome, Bealer put his trust in Reed during the three-hour procedure where she removed Bealer’s entire right lung. Following surgery, Bealer felt fine physically, but mentally, he felt like he was “emotionally hit by a train.” Gradually, he became depressed. “The mind is a strange thing,” said Bealer. “I got pretty down in my moods.”

Personal friends encouraged Bealer to meet and talk with retired businessman Murray Bennoit who was fighting his own battle with inoperable lung cancer. Bennoit, a popular Mt. Pleasant resident, agreed to meet him. “I essentially spilled my guts out to him,” said Bealer, revealing his underlying fears, concerns for a future, plus his upcoming chemotherapy treatments. “He selflessly gave of himself by just listening, talking and reassuring me that I wasn’t alone in this ordeal. We developed a special friendship within that one visit.”

Following successful chemotherapy treatments, Bealer’s attitude began to turn around. He realized that MUSC lacked an adequate program that can help cancer survivors support one another. Bealer and Reed met and discussed plans for creating a support network for newly-diagnosed lung-cancer patients and survivors. Volunteers would not only be a source of information, but provide encouragement and support throughout the process.

Reed was impressed with a hospital volunteer program which paired patients with similar cancers at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Gathering information from Sloan-Kettering, she approached oncology nurse Coby Roest, R.N., MSN, Hollings Cancer Center volunteer Phyllis Evans, and other staffers to help coordinate the program. Bealer provided the financial support.

“Organizing the team for Bealer’s Buddies was a group effort,” said Roest. “Each of us on the committee were committed and completed planning assignments on a timely basis.” The team consisted of former cancer patients—chosen by Reed—whom she believed were capable of handling the task. A total of 11 out of 14 people responded to the request and were inducted as Bealer’s Buddies.

Volunteers attend thorough training sessions aimed at preparing participants for their “ buddy” work. Sessions were conducted through four, two-hour training classes which featured the program’s history, patient testimonials, communication, hospital information and guidelines regarding volunteer responsibilities, communication and hospital information.

Elsie Baker is semi-retired and a cancer survivor. Ten years ago, Baker was diagnosed with stomach cancer and could have used a support group similar to Bealer’s Buddies throughout her ordeal. “I kept a lot inside of me,” she said.

“God must have let me live 10 years to help someone else feel okay,” said Baker, who works with the elderly and has previously volunteered with the MUSC’s cancer survivor network.

Today, she supports her buddy, a 72-year old woman who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 1993 and recently had a mass in her lungs removed. Buddies provide support which ultimately enlightens, comforts, educates, encourages and befriends patients.

Baker initiated first contact with her buddy by telephone. At first, her buddy was hesitant but gradually opened up and became uplifted as their conversation continued. Baker believes that a bond ultimately forms between patients and buddies. “It’s because they begin to trust you.”

“It is my great hope that if Bealer’s Buddies is a success,” said Reed, “others will expand it to breast cancer patients, prostate patients, etc.” MUSC has organized a cancer survivor network since 1995. Hollings Cancer Center volunteer coordinator Georgianne Thornburgh encourages caregivers to use this network as a tool that will benefit both patients and volunteers.

“The premise of the Bealer’s Buddies program is that we match patients who have similar experiences,” Roest emphasized. Although the group currently matches buddies who have undergone similar surgeries, other lung cancer patients are not surgical candidates and receive chemotherapy and radiation for their treatment. The program’s next step is to include these patients and family members and match them with others who have completed similar treatments.

“The program is like frosting on the ‘medical cake’ for MUSC,” Bealer said. “You’ve got fantastic facilities, wonderful doctors and health care professionals. Added to that program of people is a fine medical institute. It sits there with other successful programs like Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.”

Baker sums up her experience in a positive tone. “Doing this type of volunteering is a way to let our own lights shine, not only as a cancer survivor but as a way to help other people and their families.”

For more information regarding the program, contact Georgianne Thornburgh at 792-3565.