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HOPES Program Marks 10-Year Anniversary

Program Focuses On Physical, Emotional Well-Being

POSTED: 3:36 pm EDT April 16, 2008
UPDATED: 6:34 pm EDT April 16, 2008

More than 10 million people in this country woke up this morning fighting cancer. With the diagnosis comes stress, fear, pain and a lot of unanswered questions. As NewsCenter 5's Ed Harding reported Wednesday, one Boston hospital realized cancer care is about more than just medicine.

From qigong to acupuncture, Mass General Hospital is using alternative ways to treat patients living with cancer.

"We offer education and support services, workshops as well as well-ness services like acupuncture, massage, qigong, yoga and art therapy," said Katie Binda, director of the HOPES Program for Mass General Hospital.

The Hopes Program is a free service that has been helping cancer patients and their families for 10 years now.

"Not just focusing on the medical care, but the emotional and social challenges people face with a cancer diagnosis," Binda said.

Joan Hick is battling Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Acupuncture is just one part of her treatment, helping her deal with the side effects from medicine.

"It's a help for fatigue or nausea, or whatever it might be. It's really helpful," Hick said.

For Terri O'Brien, the cancer in her lungs has spread. Taking qigong calms her mind, and her body.

"With any cancer I think you're going to have some physical side effects. So just the slow movements, I think people can do that," O'Brien said.

The cancer resource room is the central place where people can track down supportive services, do research, or find someone to talk to. And anyone can seek out support at the cancer resource room. You do not have to be a patient. It is open to the public.

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