Yukon cancer survivor to start support group for patients

When Yukoner Dawn Jennings was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, she remembers feeling overwhelmed — and isolated.

"You know, I was lacking information," she said. 

"Of course, just hearing the word 'cancer', we are just in shock. And for me, I felt that I couldn't get hold of anybody except for people down in B.C. and Alberta."

Now Jennings is looking to start a local support group for other Yukoners battling the disease, "to help them and guide them along in their journey."

Jennings' own journey was, at times, "grim". She was diagnosed with both ovarian and endometrial cancer, and routinely flew south for chemotherapy treatments. She worked hard to stay active, eat nutritiously, and maintain a positive outlook.

"I had to seek out a lot of stuff on my own [and] with friends," she said. "It's a lot to handle."

"All I can say is what worked for me, because I'm here and I'm cancer free."

Paying it forward

The Whitehorse General Hospital has a "cancer care navigator" on staff, charged with helping patients understand their treatment and care, and access other resources and support.

Jennings sees her group as offering additional one-on-one help, when health care professionals are too "busy and overwhelmed".

"If people can talk about their stories and share what worked for them, that's a lot of times, what people need."

She's organized a couple of meetings this month to get her support group started. The first is Thursday evening at the Whitehorse Public Library.

"I just want to pay it forward, and be better — not bitter," Jennings said.