Rahway Regional Cancer Center (Rahway Regional Cancer Center) is founded upon the notion that patient care doesn’t conclude on the treatment table.
A personal relationship with Dr. Eric Karp and his staff members, and personalized attention throughout the healing process is a promise made to each individual that enters Rahway Regional Cancer Center, from the initial consultation, to their progressive radiation treatment and beyond, including a monthly in-house cancer support group for current patients and survivors, as well as their caregivers.
This cancer support group is an open forum, where patients can come and not only speak about their concerns, experiences and expectations of life with cancer, but lean on and forge friendships with those who have faced similar trials and tribulations in their own life, as well as educate themselves with information and resources provided by Rahway Regional Cancer Center.
Launched in 2006, the Rahway Regional Cancer Center support group started as an intimate meeting with a small community of patients in public forums, libraries and recreation centers around the area.
But what began as a small outfit of like minded individuals in the same adverse circumstances quickly gained traction and expanded, until the gatherings became standing room only affairs, and forced the meetings to move in-house at Rahway Regional Cancer Center’s facility.
“This support group is open to both past and present patients,” said Renee Sarnicki, a registered Radiation Oncology Nurse who leads the group and has worked with Dr. Eric Karp for more than 21 years. “It’s a community that provides a comfortable setting to discuss a wide variety of topics.”
“We used to keep it very casual. We didn’t even really have a time limit at first,” Sarnicki added. “But that didn’t last very long. Our patient support group was becoming a family, and the discussions started to take on a life of their own.”
The Rahway Regional Cancer Center support group is more than a sounding board. It’s a nurturing network of friends and loved ones helping each other heal, cope and approach the most troubling of cancer care issues in a semi-structured setting.
However, meetings aren’t limited to just one monthly get together at Rahway Regional Cancer Center, nor is it bound by one’s physical attendance.
Now in its 12th year of operation, the support group has seen a multitude of members move away from the area, but still in need of the cathartic comfort this community provides.
That demand has led to the creation of a private Facebook group with more than 300 members, allowing the conversation and healing process to continue online.
For more information the Rahway Regional Cancer Center support group, its monthly meetings or the Facebook group please reach out to Renee Sarnicki at radiationnrse@aol.com