Church Leaders Attend Training Program To Start Cancer Care Ministries In Their Congregations
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Church leaders from various denominations around the region attended a training program this past week at a cancer center to help them start cancer care ministries in each of their congregations.
President and CEO John McNeil, of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America on East Wyoming Avenue in the Northeast, has no illusions that they can 'eradicate death,' adding "not even a cure for cancer can do that."
"If I get cancer on my death certificate, I don't really care. I do care when I get it and what happens before I get it. So, our focus here is how can we help people improve their quality of life, how can we them improve their length of life, and how can we celebrate life together."
CTCA Spiritual Outreach Coordinator Aking Beverly says they give church leaders "ministry of presence" insights to provide some measure of comfort.
"A lot of us really don't know what to do when we are in a one-on-one situation, or a group setting, and we have to minister to someone with a cancer diagnosis."
Beverly says the cancer care training program includes social, spiritual and emotional components to support patients and the people closest to them.
