Cancer survivors speak out

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Cancer can turn a person's life into a scary, lonely and exhausting journey - not just for themselves - but also those closest to them.

That's why a group of cancer survivors banded together to bring the "Cancer Support Community" to Central Texas.

"After hearing those words, it is breast cancer, I immediately went online and that's a scary place to go, " said Tere Holmes co-founder of  "Cancer Support Community Central Texas".

Holmes quickly realized how isolated a person can feel by hearing those dreaded words, cancer, and how the mind begins to wonder making the situation even worse.

"There seemed to be a gap for services here in the Central Texas area for, " said Holmes.

Sara Patterson was 15-years-old when she was diagnosed with Leukemia and said her perspective on life changed afterwards.

"The real issues for me started after the treatment was over, I found it incredibly difficult to identify with my friends, " said Patterson.

Cancers not only hard on the body but it can be extremely draining mentally.

That is what the organization is all about bringing cancer patients and survivors together, sharing stories, information and treatment experiences.

But it's not just difficult on the patient but those around them as well.

"The roll of the caregiver is unbelievably difficult, " said Holmes, "They do need that opportunity to go and vent to a group of people who would understand."

The organization is currently meeting at a donated office space, one donated by a cancer survivor.

Dr. Emily Schottman, FCOVD is an optometrist at "Stars In Your Eyes" off Burnet Road.

After Dr. Schottman  was being diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, she decided to help others and one way by doing so is donating space at her practice for the group to meet at.

"My resources is where my passion is, which was helping other people and paying it forward, " said Dr. Schottman.

Fighting cancer with an army of people instead of just one person.

For more information on helping CSCCT you can visit: Cancer Support Community Central Texas