ABOUT US
The Sarcoma Support Group officially launched in 2016, is established by the multidisciplinary sarcoma team at NCIS with the aim of reaching out to patients and survivors of sarcoma, their families and care-givers
MISSION
Sarcoma affects patients across the trajectory of age from the very young to the old. Having a resource for emotional and psychological support, sharing of knowledge and experience is invaluable to patients and caregivers.
The group aims to provide a safe platform and comforting environment that allows for interaction, sharing of experiences for patients and caregivers who may be having difficulty coping with diagnosis, treatment and its side effects. We hope to build a network that unites, inspires and provides support through the challenges that the patient and caregivers face.
WHAT WE OFFER
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A platform to provide emotional comfort and support amongst patients and caregivers
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A platform for sharing of experiences and knowledge
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Allow for networking and bonding with fellow cancer patients and survivors.
ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES
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Twice a year support group meeting / activities
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Year end ‘Celebrate Life’ party
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Informal sharing sessions
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Educational talks (quarterly)
LAUNCH OF SUPPORT GROUP
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Launched on May 7th at Sarcoma Public Forum in conjunction with the first sarcoma public forum organized by a collaboration of NUH, NCC and KK Hospital under the umbrella of Singapore Sarcoma Consortium. Total attendance of 280.
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Sharing session by 4 survivors / patient / caregiver participants and this had received excellent feedback from the audience.
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25 cancer survivors and caregivers attended the first meeting.
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50 Black round neck tee with support group logo distributed.
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Book signing session by Ms Tan Ter Cheah.
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SETTING UP OF COUNCIL TO RUN SUPPORT GROUP
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Patient driven group
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Council to consist of a chair and vice-chair person and 3 exco members
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Members in the council will form the core group and can take on the role of befrienders
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Ideally council members should be past 2 years into remission. Patient who underwent curative surgery with no adjuvant treatment required can also be considered
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Topics and feedback on educational talks may also be generated from council members
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Council to be announced during 1st educational talks, to allow time for recruitment
SUPPORT GROUP YEARLY PROGRAMME
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Joint program with other institutions (NUH/NCC/KKH) 2x / year consisting of one social outing and one combined forum
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Educational talks to be scheduled initially every quarter
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Plan for 1st talk to take place in August
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Educational talks to be held during weekends (Saturday morning) to allow for better participation
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Schedule / Activities to be made available online at NUH/NCC/KKH website and Sarcoma Support Group’s own blog
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Some topics identified for educational talks:
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Coping with cancer – psychological issues, societal reintegration, sexuality
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Nutrition for cancer - prevention of recurrence and reducing risk
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Sarcoma symptom burden
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Coping with long term effects of limb salvage surgery
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SUPPORT GROUP BLOG
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Aim to have its own blog that will serve to announce and update on support groups activites
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Shared access point - one rep from each institution will be given log-in details to update the blog and to merge the calendar of activities
FUNDING FOR SUPPORT GROUP
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SGD500/year allocation from NUH for the NUH organized event to cover refreshments during educational talks. Each hospital to have their own refreshments budget.
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Fundraising – Ideas to consider
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Book project – medical information on sarcoma and patient stories – percentage of royalty back to support group
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Crowd funding
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Working relationships with Children Cancer Society (CCF), Singapore Cancer Society (SCC)
Collaborate for educational talks – speaker for psychosocial issues