Jessica Casey, Executive Director

Jessica  Casey, Executive Director
People Living Through Cancer 3411 Candelaria Rd. NE M Albuquerque, NM 87107
About

Jessica Casey, Executive Director

People Living Through Cancer (PLTC) is in its 32nd year of empowering cancer survivors and their families by providing free emotional support, wellness programming, education, and referrals to those affected by all types of cancer.

PLTC is unique in New Mexico. The agency is:
The only evidence-based, peer and professionally-led cancer support model;
The oldest and largest provider of emotional cancer support;
The only support organization providing services to patients and caregivers throughout the cancer journey, from diagnosis through long-term survivorship; and
The steward of the largest collection and lending library of cancer-related information for consumers.

PLTCs mission is to connect and support cancer survivors and caregivers by transforming shared individual experiences into enduring hope. PLTC has long understood that ones emotional wellbeing can greatly impact ones ability to wage the best fight. We have grown and changed in the last several years. Based on the needs of the community we serve, we continue to provide both peer and professionally-led support services to address the emotional needs of cancer patients and their families.

We are here to help survivors overcome fear, anxiety, despair and isolation. PLTC serves cancer survivors from diagnosis through long-term survivorship. We offer caregivers support through the cancer experience, including bereavement. We assist families by providing a safe place in which they can learn about their cancer, treatments and side effects, while allowing for release of emotions and the opportunity to gain strength and reassurance from those that understand.

PLTC helps cancer survivors enhance their quality of life, feel empowered in their decisions, improve communication with their families and medical teams, and reduce their emotional or physical pain and suffering.

More than 9,000 New Mexicans will hear the words you have cancer for the first time in 2011. These three words render families vulnerable as physical and emotional suffering begins. Yet, cancer patients must also make critical decisions about treatment and continue to care for their families.

After treatment, survivors continue to need support coping with the long-term effects of chemotherapy, losses related to physical health, finances, jobs, and the fear of recurrence. PLTCs peer and professionally-support model will continue to set the standard for supporting survivors during these common emotional reactions.

From reviewing client feedback, the literature, and peer organizations nationwide, PLTC has identified an increasing need to help survivors and families distinguish between the needs that can be met through peer support and more severe mental health needs that require the support of professionals. These needs are especially acute at the time of diagnosis, when dealing with metastases or depression.

At PLTC survivors of all cancers plus caregivers and loved ones are able to receive the emotional support and educational services they need to navigate the cancer journey. PLTC serves people from across the state with about 85% from the metro area.

We offer free services to families of all economic backgrounds. Families coping with cancer face several expenses often concurrent with job loss and disability related to cancer. Even with insurance, families face treatment and prescription co-pays and often lifetime or annual coverage limits. Having to pay for counseling is often just not possible. We serve survivors of all ethnicities and have received awards for minority outreach and care from the National Cancer Institute.

One clients story:
In 2008, a small boil initiated DLLs cancer nightmare. DLL is a young wife and mother of two referred to PLTC in 2009. After months of attempts at diagnosis, DLL was told that she had severe Neuroendocrine Metastatic Carcinoid Cancer throughout her body. She was in her hospital room after receiving this news, alone and scared, particularly upon learning that there was no treatment for her cancer, only pain management. Today, a year later after her first meeting, DLL is a faithful and valued member of PLTCs Advanced Cancer Support Group; her courage and authenticity a model for all of us.

In her words; This has been quite a journey, not a death sentence. I have made many beautiful new friends through this path. My goal is to encourage people to just be friendlier and love each other a little more in life. What is important is to take a look at what is truly important in life. People Living Through Cancer has helped me realize that whenever you need someone to listen they understand and are there for you because they have shared your experience. I encourage you to support PLTC because they have not only touched my life but the lives of thousands.
Primary Specialty

Uncategorized

Services Emotional Support
Counselling
Financial Assistance
Resource Navigation
Educational Workshops
Cancer Survivorship and Caregiving Conferences
Consumer Feedback
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