Cancer patients at Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster can now mark the milestones in their recovery with beads or charms.
Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster is now offering newly diagnosed patients a way to celebrate milestones in their cancer journeys with the Journey Beads project.
The cancer center at 701 Superior Ave. launched the Journey Beads project, a pilot program in which newly diagnosed cancer patients are given a satchel with a cancer ribbon, a blessed St. Francis of Assisi medallion and an informational card. They can add glass beads or charms to the ribbon any time they reach a new cancer treatment milestone.
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The social worker Robyn Caban came up with the idea.
“The patients who have received them are just grateful and excited to start it off,” she said. “When you’re first diagnosed and get a treatment plan, it can seem long and overwhelming, but when you’re able to mark each milestone off as a celebration, it can help lessen that load a bit.”
Patients can choose from a selection of colored beads or various charms kept in jars at the medical oncology, radiation, infusion and cardio-oncology offices.
The Journey Beads project was the brainchild of Robyn L. Caban, a licensed clinical social worker in the oncology department at the Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster.
“The idea is really to celebrate those seemingly small milestones in whatever way they’d like,” Caban said. “This journey means different things for different people.”
Patients can choose from charms that might have personal meaning to them, such as birds or crosses.
“Your journey doesn’t end when your treatment ends, and we want them to have a reminder not only of how far they’ve come but that we are here for them every step of the way,” she said. “I just want them to be proud of what they’ve been through. No matter your journey, it isn’t easy, but every milestone is worth celebrating, and this is just a small reminder of that.”
Read all The Times' coverage of Tuesday's elections in Northwest Indiana
Voters across Northwest Indiana cast ballots Tuesday on everything from sheriffs and senators to congresspeople and school referendums. Read all The Times' coverage here.
Jerry Williams declared an early victory in the Lake County sheriff race Tuesday night. His projected win makes him the first Black sheriff in the county's history.
Democrat Scott Houldieson prevailed in Tuesday’s general election over Republican Trevor DeVries in the hotly contested race to represent Indiana’s 1st Senate District.
Democrat Heather McCarthy defeated incumbent Judge Christopher Buckley in Porter County, following a tumultuous reelection campaign marked by an OWI and judicial misconduct charges.
Northwest Indiana is sending U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan back to Washington for the next two years to continue representing the unique interests of the Calumet Region.
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Seven school districts in Northwest Indiana had referendums on their ballots this election. See what the voters decided.
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