WARSAW — The breast cancer treatment journey, from initial diagnosis through medical care and beyond, can be overwhelming. That’s why the KCH Cancer Care Center and Pink Ribbon Connection are collaborating to give breast cancer patients the support they need through peer counseling. 

Peer counselors provide breast cancer patients with an understanding ear, support and information from the perspective of someone who’s been there. KCH is inviting breast cancer survivors to learn more about becoming a Pink Ribbon peer counselor. To be a counselor, an individual will be a year or more beyond their last treatment.

Those interested are invited to learn more at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. The meeting will include dinner and peer counselor training at the KCH administration classroom located at 2101 E. DuBois Drive in Warsaw. This is the west entrance of the hospital versus the main entrance. Trainers include clinical psychologist Christine Ward, Ph.D., and KCH Cancer Care Center nurse practitioners Luann Deafenbaugh and Lisa Guzman.

“Pink Ribbon Connection is thrilled to be working with the KCH Cancer Care Center to train local breast cancer survivors to be peer counselors for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients,” said Dori Sparks-Unsworth, executive director of Pink Ribbon Connection. “Being able to connect women who live near each other is of great benefit since this allows them to meet face to face and develop trusting and supportive relationships that will make a real difference as the patient goes through treatment and recovery.”  

To learn more about peer counselor training or to sign up, please register by Wednesday, March 20. Call (574) 372-3800, option 5, or email nurse navigator Kathy MacDonald at [email protected]. 

Pink Ribbon Connection provides emotional support, local resources and education to those touched by breast cancer. Visit PinkRibbonConnection.org or call (317) 255-PINK (7465).