CWC from a volunteer's perspective
CWC from a medical perspective
CWC from a patient's perspective
The story of Cancer Wellness Connections
Supporting all
who experience gynecologic cancers, through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond
who experience gynecologic cancers, through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond
Cancer Wellness Connections is an independent nonprofit organization offering holistic online support and resources focused on the needs of people experiencing gynecologic cancers.
Our program provides tips to not only cope with the effects of cancer, making you more at ease during the course of your treatment, but to help you focus on the control you retain regardless of diagnosis—and your ability to continue to live an enriched and fulfilling life.
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” ~World Health Organization’s 1948 Constitution
Regular physical activity and careful nutritional planning are both essential to a healthy lifestyle overall. Altering habits related to diet and exercise are generally some of the first suggestions recommended by health professionals to help one cope effectively with cancer treatment.
For more about physical well being, click a link below:
The process of cancer treatment can be tumultuous and uncertain. While a medical team will care for your physical well-being during cancer treatment, there is often not as much emphasis placed on your emotional well-being. And yet stress and anxiety can take an additional toll on your health. Recognizing your feelings, but learning to strike a balance between what you can and can’t control will help in cultivating resilience and establishing balance in your life. As CWC Co-Founder Dr. Cynthia Angel has said, “You can live well while living with cancer”
For more about mental and emotional well being, click a link below:
Well Being
Maintaining strong relationships with family, friends and your community are essential for well-being, especially in the face of a life challenge like enduring the process of cancer treatment. Our program emphasizes the benefits of leaning on a support network for practical help. We also encourage compassion, a key component to feeling supported, valued, and loved. This helps one maintain a full sense of personhood rather than feeling merely like a cancer patient.
For more about social well being, click a link below:
“You are not your illness. You have an individual story to tell. You have a name, a history, a personality. Staying yourself is part of the battle.” ~Julian Seifte
Cancer Wellness Connections was originally designed to bring in-person activities to all people receiving outpatient infusion treatments in Rochester-area clinics. With the onset of COVID-19, we transitioned to online support that can be accessed by anyone at any time, always free of charge.
Our program is not only designed to comfort and help you within the confines of the infusion room, but also give you tips and techniques that help you moving forward. Focusing on ways to reduce stress, promoting mindfulness and relaxation will help not only during treatment, but beyond as you navigate your new normal. With practice, these aspects of self care can empower you to increase well-being and quality of life no matter the circumstances.
Through online videos, downloadable content, and links to resources you’ll be able to learn how to build your resilience in stressful times and to find wellness.
Our Story
Cancer Wellness Connections is a nonprofit organization that was founded in the Gynecologic Oncology Office of Drs. Cynthia Angel & Brent DuBeshter, providing comfort and care directly into the infusion clinics where women were actively receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Through various activities, our volunteers brought bright spots to treatment times. During the pandemic, we turned to a hybrid of virtual programming offering similar support to people in our community impacted by Gynecologic Cancers, helping them connect with wellness and wellbeing.
Cancer Wellness Connections is independently funded by donations of people like you!
Our Founders
Eileen Grossman
Eileen recognized how isolating cancer treatment can be for both patients and their families. Long hours in the infusion chair can be scary, if not just plain boring. From that, her vision for a program that became Cancer Wellness Connections was born. Through Eileen’s leadership and counsel, Cancer Wellness Connections has been able to enrich the lives of so many, especially people receiving outpatient infusions for cancer and chronic illnesses.
Dr. Cynthia Angel
Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Cynthia Angel observed that the patients she saw doing the best were the ones who didn’t put their lives on hold. Through her lens as a scientist, she saw how the many advances in therapies means that many patients will live with a chronic or extended condition. Regardless of outcome, Dr. Angel’s focus is on quality of life that is not overshadowed by a diagnosis. Her principles guide Cancer Wellness Connections’ vision that living well with cancer is possible.
Dr. Brent DuBeshter
Practice partner with Dr. Angel, Dr. DuBeshter is similarly focused on patient experience. For him, to view a cancer diagnosis through the rigid lens of being cancer free as the only positive outcome is an oversimplification. As such he whole heartedly embraced the idea of forming a program that could help his patients find a sense of wellness throughout treatment and beyond.
Cancer Wellness Connections is an independent program that touches the lives of more than 25,000 of our neighbors going through treatment for gynecologic cancers. Your support will have an immediate impact on making their journeys a little easier.