St. Irenaeus Health Ministry recently invited women to join a breast cancer support group at the Parish Hall Conference Room. The next meeting of the Women’s Cancer Support Group will be on June 3 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Youth Formation Room next to the Parish Hall at St. Irenaeus Church, 5201 Evergreen Avenue in Cypress.
Jerilyn Crain, an 11-year breast cancer survivor, served initially as mentor to the group. She is the first African-American certified mentor for Breast Friends at Kaiser Permanente and is also a hospice volunteer. Terry Arenz, a recently retired registered nurse, assisted the support group as she wanted to continue to help people in mind, body and spirit as a member of the health ministry.
Each of the women who came to the meeting introduced themselves and shared their experiences as a cancer survivor or caregiver. After listening to everyone’s stories, Sr. Rita O’Connell, director of health ministry, spoke to the group. She said that perhaps as much as 50 or 60 % of funerals at St. Irenaeus are cancer related.
“We are not in control of cancer and we need the support of others,” she continued. “As caregivers of cancer patients, we come to know God even more as we comfort and physically help others cope with their illnesses, praying with them and for them.”
After their May 6 meeting, the Health Ministry board members decided to broaden the scope of the group at St. Irenaeus by inviting caregivers and women with other cancers to join the group. For more information, contact Betty Borowski at 714-826-0760.