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Inverness cancer support group provides community to its members

A cancer support group started by an Inverness woman five months ago has grown so quickly that Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Lake Barrington is stepping in to help run it.

Soul Survivors was started by Melissa Palmer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and has provided the local community with something she said has been missing since The Wellness Place, an Inverness-based cancer support center, closed last September.

“The Wellness center went out of ‘cancer business' leaving cancer survivors here in Lake and Cook (counties) with nowhere to go,” Palmer said.

“You can get counseling at plenty of places,” said group member Chrissie Mena of Tower Lakes. “But Soul Survivors provides more of a casual gathering to come together, celebrate living and handle the obstacles put in your way.”

Mena said Palmer, who in addition to cancer suffers from the rare Pompe Disease, has been an inspiration.

“She has so much enthusiasm, but we finally told her we should turn this over,” Mena said. “Good Shepherd has the staff and the people to make this work,”

On Thursday, 30 Soul Survivors members packed 100 cancer care baskets with donated goods that they will send out to cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers. The baskets include candy, coffee mugs, candles, personal care products and other items.

The group's next public event is at 6:30 p.m. on April 13 at Good Shepherd Hospital.

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