VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO TEACH `REACH TO RECOVERY' PROGRAM

"Reach to Recovery," a one-to-one hospital or home visitation program providing emotional support and understanding for breast cancer patients and their families, is seeking new volunteers.

A volunteer training program will be held Monday from 5-8:30 p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center in Conference Room B of the hospital's Womancare center.

A free service of the American Cancer Society, the Reach to Recovery program is composed of a group of volunteers who are stabilized breast cancer patients. The volunteers are trained to help others with breast cancer over the psychological and practical hurdles breast cancer represents to the patient and her family.

In order to participate in the Reach to Recovery program, a volunteer must meet the following criteria: have had treatment for breast cancer; be at least one year post-treatment; have the approval of her physician; have had her application reviewed and approved according to American Cancer Society policies; and have successfully completed training.

Whenever possible, Reach to Recovery volunteers and patients are matched by age, diagnosis and treatment.

According to local Reach to Recovery coordinator Julie Storey, "The program can make the difference between night and day emotionally for any woman who has breast cancer surgery. Programs like Reach to Recovery are becoming a more and more effective part of the emotional healing which must occur for total patient rehabilitation."

Each Reach to Recovery visitor brings a small kit to her patient. This kit includes information on breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. It also includes a temporary breast prosthesis which the woman may use while she is in the hospital. In Missouri, all Reach to Recovery visitors are also trained to teach breast self examination.

For information, call 651-5550 or 1-800-455-4636.