01945 Winter 2018_V3

24 | 01945
WINTER 2018-19 | 25
C O R N E R I N G
CANCER
BY BILL BROTHERTON
Lindsay Northrop was a young wife
and mother of two boys, ages 5 and 7,
when she was diagnosed with breast
cancer in 2014.
"I was taking care of two young
children, and trying to take care of myself
through the cancer. My husband took on
a lot. It was hard, for me, my husband, and
my sons," said Northrop, a Swampscott
native and Marblehead resident.
Two years later, the cancer returned.
Support outside of the home was
difficult to obtain, she said, especially
for a young woman. The average age
of women receiving a breast cancer
diagnosis is 62.
Catherine Foley, a Beverly native
living in Lynn, faced similar difficulties.
70 Atlantic Ave,
Marblehead, MA 01945
781-631-7800
Richard M. Miller,
MD, FAAP
Marblehead Pediatrics provides comprehensive
health care for infants, children, adolescents
and young adults from birth to age 22.
We welcome new patients and accept
most health plans.
Lisa Gast,
FAAP, DO
She, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer
in her 30s. "It's a scary thing. I was filled
with fear and anxiety and uncertainty."
Northrop and Foley, who today are
both in complete remission, met at a
support group recommended by their
surgeons. They were considerably younger
than everyone else in attendance. "It
was the first time I ever went to a group
meeting," said Foley. "Before that, it was
like the Underground Railroad. Someone
would say, 'Oh, call this person.' I'd call,
and that person would be helpful, and
Sarah O'Connor,
FAAP, DO
Hillary Johnson,
MSN, CPNP
Lynch/van Otterloo
YMCA Executive
Director Gerald
MacKillop helped
create the Corner
Stone program, which
is a new initiative
that supports cancer
patients, cancer
survivors and their
families.
give me another number to call. I'd call
that person. That's how things went."
After the meeting, Northrop tapped
Foley on the shoulder as they were
walking out. The two shared their stories
and recognized the urgent need for a
young women's support group. Statistics
show that one in eight women in the
United States will be diagnosed with
breast cancer during their lifetime.
Northrop and Foley have started the
Young Women's Breast Cancer Support
Group, hosted by the Lynch/van Otterloo
Rebecca Ehrenberg,
RN, MSN, CPNP
Monday: 8 a.m. - 9a.m. Walk-in 9 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday: On call for urgent care
YMCA in Marblehead. It coincides
perfectly with the local Y's innovative,
first-in-the-nation Corner Stone program,
a collaborative program providing essential
daily-living support to individuals with
cancer and their immediate families.
Gerald MacKillop Jr., executive
director of the Marblehead-based Y, is
a former Lahey Health executive and
has been involved with Corner Stone
since the beginning. He and Martha
Potvin, coordinator of the Y's health and
wellness programs, "were 100-percent
onboard" with helping the young
women's group, said Northrop.
Foley said young women face a
complex set of challenges during
treatment for breast cancer: They are in
the prime of their life, juggling families,
careers and relationships. Northrop said
the group provides peer-to-peer support
and mentorship. It meets at the Y the first
Monday of every month at both noon and
6:30 p.m.; and there is a private Facebook
page where members can offer support
and share resources as needed.
"I thought of all the women behind
me, and wondered 'Are they going to go
through the same things I did?' I had so
many questions when I was diagnosed. I
was processing so much. We don't want
other women to feel like we did," said Foley.
"Most cancer organizations are focused
around fundraisers," she continued. "They
serve a very important service, but at
the time of my diagnosis the last thing I
wanted was to walk or run a 5K. I needed
support and help with my emotions. I had
cancer. That was my new normal. It was
lonely and isolating, no matter how many
people you have around you. That starts to
disappear when you talk with others who
have been through it."
MacKillop said Corner Stone
participants will have no-cost access to
YMCA-sponsored health and wellness
resources, programs and support to help
them in their cancer fight. The initiative
includes access to all seven YMCA of
the North Shore locations.
"Every family is touched by cancer,"
said MacKillop. "Corner Stone will
provide a safety net (…) If a person has
to cancel a doctor's appointment because
there is no one to take care of their
children, we will take care of the kids
here. If a person has been in treatment
all day, the last thing they want to do is
go out at night for a screening, especially
if it means a trip into Boston. We can do
the screening here, and the patient can be
taken care of while other family members
"I thought of all the women
behind me, and wondered
'Are they going to go through
the same things I did?' I had
so many questions when
I was diagnosed. I was
processing so much. We
don't want other women to
feel like we did."
— Catherine Foley
Catherine Foley of Lynn, left, and Lindsay
Northrop of Marblehead host a weekly support
group at the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA as part of
the Corner Stone program.
PHOTO: SPENSER HASAK
can take advantage of our offerings."
MacKillop said Corner Stone provides:
○ A complimentary Y membership
to cancer survivors diagnosed within the
past five years and their families for one
year (with extended options for those
still receiving treatment).
○ Access to all member benefits and
specialized programs to help those with
cancer and recovering from cancer.
○ A complimentary week of summer
camp for all children in the family
enrolled in the program.
○ A schedule of special drop-in
babysitting for parents who are currently
in treatment.
○ A non-clinical environment where
patients and family can feel comfortable
and supported.
MacKillop said Dana Farber,
Lahey Health, Steward Health, Care
Dimensions hospice and Spaulding
Rehab are onboard. Mass General Cancer
Center and the Reid Sacco Adolescent
and Young Adult Program for Cancer and
Hereditary Blood Diseases have expressed
interest in participating.
“A cancer diagnosis is devastating,
and the goal of Corner Stone is to build
a community support structure and
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