Good Shepherd Hosts Dual Events for Families Affected by Cancer

Advocate Good Shepherd Hosts Dual Events for Families Affected By Cancer

Barrington, IL- Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with cancer? Even though you have a strong family, you might find that this diagnosis is difficult to deal with alone. We invite you to join us on Tuesday, October 23 from 6:30 – 8 PM at The Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for a Meeting the Cancer Challenge support group.

Meeting the Cancer Challenge is available to all patients, families, and friends to explore their feelings and discuss their concerns. In conjunction with this event, and in an effort to facilitate family engagement, Good Shepherd also offers an activity night for your kids. Kids' Night Out will take place on Tuesday, October 23 from 6 – 7:30 PM and is open to those children or teens dealing with a cancer diagnosis of a parent, grandparent, relative, or friend.

Please note, that the Kids' Night Out event is not a support group, but rather a mini-vacation from cancer. Children enjoy food, fun, crafts, and some relief from the stress associated with a cancer diagnosis. Good Shepherd Hospital offers a safe environment with volunteer teachers and teaching assistants who facilitate activities.

MarySue Fidale, RNC, MA, LCPC, started the Meeting the Cancer Challenge support group and the Kids' Night Out activity group at Good Shepherd Hospital over ten years ago. According to MarySue Fidale, “We wanted to offer support to individuals and families coping with cancer. It's nice having the Kids' night at the same time because it makes it easier for families with kids to attend.”

Both events are FREE to attend and you may register by calling 1.800.3ADVOCATE (1.800.323.8622) or register online at www.advocatehealth.com/gshp and reference the class code 3C03. For more specific information regarding the Meeting the Cancer Challenge or Kids' Night Out events, you may call MarySue Fidale at 847.381.9600 Ext. 265886. For general information about cancer call 847.842.HUGS (264847).

About Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

Advocate Good Shepherd in Barrington, Illinois is a 169-bed acute care hospital with more than 700 physicians representing 50 medical specialties. It is part of Advocate Health Care, named one of the Top Ten hospital systems in the U.S. by Thomson-Reuters. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital is ranked highest in Illinois for quality and patient safety according to BlueCross BlueShield and exists to serve its communities. For more about Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital: www.advocatehealth.com/gshp Shield's 2011 Blue Star Report™. Advocate is a faith-based organization