Oct 8, 2008 8:59 pm US/Eastern
Touched By Cancer, They Race For A Cure
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
There is a different kind of suffering brought on by breast cancer.
"I was three when she was originally diagnosed. I was 14 when she was rediagnosed in 1992," said "PJ", the program director at Wild 95 in West Palm Beach, who spent most of his childhood watching his mother fight breast cancer only to see her lose that battle when he was 22. He became depressed and started using drugs.
"I was in college at the time. I was sleeping all the time, and I stopped going to classes," he recalled.
Experts say he's not alone, this year roughly 40 thousand families will lose a loved one to breast cancer. And more than 180-thousand women will be diagnosed with the disease, and that puts an enormous emotional strain on caregivers, and kids. But it's the kind of stress that's rarely talked about, and rarely treated. "PJ" said recognizing that you are having trouble is critical first step to coping and caring.
"Once I finally realized my self-destructive behavior and finally asked for help it was pretty easy to get it, said "PJ", Everybody was supportive, everybody cared."
Now "PJ" volunteers for the Komen foundation where he speaks with others coping with the less obvious effects of breast cancer. And this year he'll be joining
CBS4, and thousands of other South Floridians, in the Komen Race for the Cure where 'one step at a time is bringin' us closer to a cure'.
"Being involved with Komen is a way to honor my mother, 100-percent," said "PJ".
Caregivers also endure psychological hardships during cancer treatment, often with overwhelming feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and abandonment. They are also at a much higher risk of clinical depression.
IF YOU NEED HELP COPING:
The
Wellness Community of Miami has a program called 'THE FAMILY CIRCLE'. It helps family members cope with the diagnosis of cancer.
They meet the second Saturday of each month and registration is required. For more information, call Peggy Rios at (305) 668-5900.
The Komen Race for the Cure Race & Walk will be held Saturday, Ocotber 18th, at Miami's Bayfront Park.
Click Here for information on how you can join the fight.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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