Here's what you missed in our community newsletter for August 2019!   Hello!   Kate here, your friendly Community Manager over here at Cancer Council.   In this month's   Online Community   update, we look at the role of carer's and how we can better support them, along with some great resources that everyone should check out. We celebrate some milestones and some things that are happening in the forums and share some news about an exciting new program that's starting soon for young adult survivors.   Let's dive on in!   Caring for Carers A topic that has cropped up a lot of late   within the community, are the changes in relationship dynamics and behaviour that can be experienced when caring for someone with cancer.   Thank you to everyone that has been sharing their experiences and supporting others in the forums, it has been fantastic to see!   There are many resources available to Carers that I wanted to bring to your attention. These are suitable for Carers everywhere, no matter where you are in the world! Podcasts for Carers:   Cancer Council has created   several seasons   of podcasts that cover topics such as   caring for someone in their last months,   family dynamics and cancer,   explaining cancer to kids,   sex and cancer, and   cancer affecting the carer too. These podcasts are hosted by Australian identity, Julie McCrossin, who went through her own cancer experience.  Understanding cancer booklets:   Our   Caring for Someone with Cancer booklet   is a good starting point for anyone caring for someone with cancer. We also recommend reading   Emotions and Cancer,   Cancer and your Finances, and   Changes in thinking and memory. You can review and download all our booklets,   here. Family, friends and carer forums: You're already a member of the Cancer Council Online Community, did you realise we have   a set of forums set up specifically   for people caring for someone with cancer? You don't have to join in We know that there are thousands of more people viewing   the Online Community   every month than post, and we know from our recent research with Macquarie University that many of of the people using the Online Community get support and feel better just by reading what many of you share.   So, you don't have to join in if you don't want to, but you're always welcome to if you ever decide you want to. And that's the beauty of our community, you can dip in and out as much or as little as you'd like - the lights are always on.   Here is a post from someone just like you, that recently posted for the first time in the   Coping with a loved one's cancer forum: "Hi I'm new today and have come across your community! Reading some of the posts I can see I'm not alone with some of the things I've been experiencing..."   You can read the rest of the post and view other member's replies,   here.   Telephone Support Groups For our community members based in Australia, Cancer Council runs a free telephone-based support group (TSG) twice a month for people caring for someone with cancer.   There are also   telephone support groups   for people living with advanced cancer, metastatic breast cancer, brain cancer, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer and metastatic melanoma. There's also a shorter group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to cancer.   These groups have 3-8 members along with two qualified facilitators, and the bi-monthly sessions run for an hour. They are a great way to share your experiences with other carers, as well as to be supported. If you would like to find out more about our Telephone Support Groups, please call the team directly on 1300 755 632 - messages can be left and they will call you back to chat about whether groups are a good fit for you.   Some recent community posts There's always something happening in the   Online Community, here's some of the good stuff!   There was a little celebration over in the ongoing thread about   side effects from head and neck cancer treatment   this week, as Mahootna shared that they are now 5.5 years post radiotherapy treatment.   "Hi, it is exactly six years since we discovered cancer on my tongue. The doctors moved that fast I didn't have time to think.  So I am five and a half years post radiotherapy treatment.... just take one step at a time, one day at a time."   A fantastic milestone, congratulations Mahootna!   Another thread that will make you smile is a thread that originally   started out about Endometrial Cancer, now in its 12th page of posts it's definitely one to check out. Some of our regular and our newer posters are posting about Elton John songs, a discussion about how cheese fixes everything and stupid stuff people say when you're going through treatment. They have also been sharing photos of their kids and grandkids, as well as of their pets.   I know many of you out there would have pet companions or tiny humans, we'd love to see some photos of them! Especially dogs, I love dogs! 🙂   Reclaim Life: call out for young adult survivors We're seeking interest from Australian young adult survivors who are looking for guidance, strategies, and discussion with their peers.   Reclaim Life is a support program designed for cancer survivors who are aged between 25 and 40 years. The aim is to help participants develop better coping skills in managing their cancer-related concerns in the early survivorship period.   People within this age group can be contemplating new relationships, starting jobs or returning to the workforce. They may be worried about whether they can have their own family and how their future will unfold.   Open discussion between the participants is facilitated by two counsellors who also provide tangible strategies to build resilience and coping skills. The format of the program is via videoconferencing with between 4 and 6 participants attending six, weekly sessions.   It is part of a larger research study developed by Ursula Sansom-Daly, Claire Wakefield and colleagues at the Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, UNSW Sydney. Cancer Council NSW has partnered with the university to deliver the program.   For more details please call Gabrielle on 1800 734 398.   Dates for the Diary 3/9:   Living with Cancer education program   - Albury Wodonga, NSW/VIC 5/9:   Treatment's finished...What now?   - North Lakes, QLD 17/10:   Learning to relax workshop   - Coolum, QLD 16/10:   Treatment's finished...what now?   - Greenslopes, QLD 17/10:   Living with Cancer education program   - Bendigo, VIC 25/10: Let’s talk about Head and Neck Cancer   - Melbourne, VIC 31/10:   Women's wellness workshop   - Launceston, TAS Community & lifestyle programs Wellness Forums   - VIC, various locations. Walking Group   - QLD, various locations Yoga Group   - QLD, various locations Look Good, Feel Better workshops   - WA, various locations Book Club   - Gold Coast, QLD Moving Meditation   - Rockdhampton, QLD Tai Chi Group   - Townsville, QLD Coffee & craft group   - Launceston, TAS Rest & restore gentle yoga program   - Hobart, TAS Cancer Wellness & Exercise   - VIC, various locations Movement & relaxation sessions   - Devonport, TAS With kind regards, Kate and the Online Community team. ... View more