Cancer organization changes name, expands reach

Editor's note: This article originally ran in the April 26 issue of the East County Observer.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — When Dave Shaver faced a diagnosis of prostate cancer about three-and-one-half years ago, he learned how scary a cancer diagnosis could be.

But having served on the board of directors for the Cancer Support Community, now the Center for Building Hope (CBH), Shaver also knew he didn’t have to cower in fear.

“I had been on the board long enough that I was not devastated,” Shaver said. “I knew so many people (who had gone through treatment). One of the things that’s most helpful about our organization is we provide a lot of information and a lot of opportunity to network with people who are going through the same (situation).”

Shaver took advantage of the organization’s resources, getting referrals for doctors, attending a men’s support group and securing other information and resources to help him decide on his treatment and move forward confidently toward recovery.

“The bottom line in my cancer story — and that of the other individuals and families we support — is that thanks to (Center for Building Hope), no one has to face cancer alone,” Shaver said. “That has a major impact on our quality of life and even the potential to enhance our chances of recovery.”

Cancer Support Community leaders announced April 16 the organization had changed its name to Center for Building Hope to signify the non-profit’s significant growth since moving into its new facility in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park about one year ago, as well as its vision to expand its free programs to families in need. Additionally, CBH has partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital and its Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine to provide additional training for its staff at Harvard Medical School’s largest teaching hospital.

“We have been committed to attempting to serve as many cancer patients and caregivers as within our reach,” CBH Board Chairman Carol Ann Kalish said. “The name change is emblematic of us taking the opportunity to see if we can cast an even wider net.

“Your name is your identity, to a certain extent,” she said. “We want people feeling comfortable coming to us. We provide hope in a sometimes otherwise bleak psychological state. The (new) name, in general, speaks very clearly to what we do and also establishes broader perspective for what we want to do.”

Since moving to Lakewood Ranch in the fall of 2010, the CBH has more than tripled its client base. The organization offers movement, yoga and other relaxation classes, as well as nutritional classes, educational forums, support groups and other special programs free of charge to cancer patients and their families from its Lakewood Ranch facility and other locations.

“We haven’t held ourselves closely to (our building),” Kalish said. “What we are thinking is that the expanded vision we have will allow us to be either direct providers of service beyond our geographic boundaries or to support mission-match programs around the country.”

Kalish said CBH, through its Brides Against Breast Cancer bridal shows, is partnering with charities in host cities to educate about cancer, raise awareness of the CBH and other organizations that provide services and support to cancer patients and provide such organizations with financial support.

Kalish said with the expansion, CBH remains committed to its mission and to the Sarasota/Manatee community.

For information on CBH, visit www.centerforbuildinghope.org.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].