Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day and InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 home-grown Cancer Support Group is using the occasion to announce work has begun on a book to help inspire new patients in their fight against the disease.

Called the SA国际影视传媒楤ook of HopeSA国际影视传媒�, the publication will detail a variety of cancer survivor stories from around the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur hope is to reach more people, informing them of what one person goes through when they have cancer,SA国际影视传媒� said support group founder and facilitator Agnes Pascal of Fort McPherson. SA国际影视传媒淎nother reason is to reach out to patients who are just diagnosed and their family members to give them hope and encouragement.SA国际影视传媒�

With funding from Hot谋矛 ts'eeda, a health research advocacy group hosted by the T艂谋台ch谦 Government and overseen by the GNWT, the bookSA国际影视传媒檚 authors hope to interview numerous people of all ages throughout the NWT and detail the journey as it applies to different types of cancer.

Pascal said she was inspired to put the book together after her own experience with cancer and the supports that helped her overcome it.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 such a shame for people not to hear these stories,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淵ou can hear so much of the strength and courage that it took to go through what they went through and what got them through.SA国际影视传媒�

Knowing others have gone through what one is experiencing and knowing what to expect are two powerful tools to help survive cancer, added Pascal.

Founded in 2018, the Local Cancer Support group historically met monthly at Ingamo Hall up until the Covid-19 pandemic put a stop to large social gatherings. However, the group is planning to resume gatherings in February using the online platform Zoom, at least until the pandemic is over.

Pascal founded the group after winning her own battle with cancer. She said it was important for people who are diagnosed with cancer to connect with others, as having more information on what one is going to experience can be a lifesaver.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou go into shock, thinking that youSA国际影视传媒檙e going to die,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 had two friends who experienced the same type of cancer that I had, so I really leaned on them. They were there for me throughout and really made a difference in how I handled cancer.

SA国际影视传媒淚f I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have that sort of guidance and someone truthfully telling me how it was going to be to lose my hair, I would not have built up the endurance to handle those situations as they came.

SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 have handled everything as well as I did and probably wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be calling myself a survivor today.SA国际影视传媒�