It was a challenge members of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas (CSOB) could not ignore when Earle Bethell asked what the organization was doing for young adult survivors. In response, Melissa Deidre Major, a young, adult cancer survivor set about establishing a support group for young adult cancer survivors, and their supporters. She established the Freedom Survivors for members between the ages of 18 and 39 years in August 2010. From its inception, the group challenged the established "mold" of existing support groups. Much has changed in the short time with the CSOB's dynamic support group.
During her cancer treatment, Major found it a lonely, depressing and emotional journey. After attending several meetings at the Cancer Society of The Bahamas (CSOB) she quickly realized that little was being done to address the specific support needs of younger survivors. She accepted Bethell's challenge and presented her vision for a support and advocacy group, that would ensure that no young person would have to suffer in isolation. It was a group that would raise community awareness and drive change for that particular population. Bethell and the CSOB's board of directors enthusiastically bought into the vision and "Freedom Survivors" came into being, with the motto: "FREE2LIVE FREE2LOVE FREE2BME."
The group started relatively small, with only eight members. Fourteen months later, it has more than 50 regular members. Because of ardent requests, and the needs of the ever-growing numbers of younger survivors, it has now expanded its ambit to include young children and adolescent survivors as well as its original target of young adults. There is now also a "Freedom Kids." The membership age range has been expanded from zero to 40 years, but all persons, no matter their age, are welcome. No one is turned away.
Where and when does freedom survivors meet?
The group meets between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month at the CSOB's head office on East Terrace, Centreville. Freedom Survivors is "an open table" where anyone is welcome to attend meetings. Meetings are often a time of joyous, and boisterous, "family" gatherings. Each meeting begins and ends with prayers. They can also be a time of intense sharing. Every member has a story, and each journey, while peculiar to the specific individual, strikes a responsive chord in every listener.
The presenter could be a 30-something mother of a seven-year-old survivor of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) who shares her frequently frightening and overwhelming journey, as she researched medical journals and internet websites in her effort to arm herself with the "best" information in her "ongoing fight" with various healthcare providers, to ensure that her daughter received the best and most appropriate treatment, with the best possible outcome. It could be a 20-something breast cancer survivor sharing her feelings of intense terror and utter disbelief when her diagnosis was initially heard, and the lonely, harrowing, pain-filled journey that eventually led her to Freedom Survivors.
No one listening to the myriad stories of intense struggles and seemingly, imperceptible progress, could fail to be touched by the indomitable spirit that literally pervades Freedom Survivors. It is a spirit of "joyous living". Each member was dealt an "unkind" hand, but each "conquered" in their own special way, and were/are living testaments to the fact that life is for living -- fully and joyously.
Special activities
Although a relatively "new and young" member of the CSOB's "family", Freedom Survivors has been making an impact on and within the parent organization. During the last "Cancer Awareness Month" which was observed in May, the group coordinated the CSOB's first "Rush-Out For Cancer" and also simultaneously hosted a fundraising souse out.
The rush-out featured a performance by "Colours Junkanoo Group". Almost $1,500 was raised for the CSOB from the souse out. Additionally, Freedom Survivors partnered with BTC earlier this year to assist with that company's annual blood drive. This was a rewarding and meaningful collaboration for participating group members as most cancer patients need a blood transfusion at some time during their illness.
The group also encourages exercise as cancer survivors appreciate that adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to their health, and exercise is a key component. They therefore exercise together on a regular basis. They also frequently attend Sunday morning worship together, often electing to worship at a specific member's church. They make every effort to stay in touch with each other between regularly set meeting times. Members of Freedom Survivors also attend social events together, and consistently support each other. They have truly evolved into a support network that can be best described as a "family."
Vision for the future
Major's vision for Freedom Survivors in 2021, is for the movement to provide service and support, as well as education and raise public awareness to issues affecting young cancer survivors, not only throughout The Bahamas, but in the Caribbean, and even globally.
How you can participate
Interested persons can attend any of the regularly scheduled monthly meetings every third Thursday in the month, or participate in/attend any of the special events that Freedom Survivors hosts.
People wanting to make a financial donation to the group's on-going work may also do so by making their checks payable to the "CSOB -- Freedom Survivors."
The very ethos of Freedom Survivors embodies the spirit of Paul's wish for his dear friend Gaius, as recorded in 3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." -- NKJV.
For more information on the Freedom Survivors support group, or on any other cancer related topic, telephone the Cancer Society of The Bahamas at (242) 323-4441, or (242) 323-4482. You may also visit their website at: www.cancersocietybahamas.org.
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