Support for Gynecologic Cancer Patients and their Family/Friends
OCATS (Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Treatment in Saskatchewan) is a support
and action group for everyone affected by gynecologic cancers. We provide
counselling and information to patients and their spouses, family and friends
- all are welcome to a Support Group Get Together or for one-on-one support
by phone or in-person at home or the hospital.
We are a committed group of people who want to make things better for all Saskatchewan women by educating the medical professionals and policy makers about signs, symptoms, risk factors, and appropriate tests for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
For support or information contact us at:
info@ocats.ca
Regina Area: Darlene at 306-775-1848
Fort Qu’Appelle Area: Carole at 306-332-5714
Yorkton/Melville Area: Pearl at 306-782-6250
Saskatoon Area: Dorothy at 306-329-4988
Humboldt Area: Sheila squeak053@yahoo.ca
Prince Albert Area: Ginger at 306-764-1668
Estevan Area: Agatha White, 634-9108
Find us on Facebook too.
Support Group Get Togethers
1st Monday of the Month (unless a Stat Holiday),
4pm to 6pm,
Light Dinner Included $4 Donation
Meeting Room at the Knox-Metropolitan United Church, 2340 Victoria Avenue (Corner of Vic and Lorne – use Vic Ave entrance)
Registration is not required, but helpful. Call Darlene at 775-1848, or email darlenegray@sasktel.net
The meetings are open to all survivors (in the largest sense of the term meaning patients, their families and friends), both women and men.
Sometimes we have a guest speaker, or we just share our experiences and provide information to each other.
We have a small library that you can borrow books from. Here is a sampeling of what we have:
· Diane’s Wellness Story, by Diane and Lou Tice, compliments of Ms Pat Foley and The Pacific Institute (5 copies) - Diane Tice was diagnosed with late stage uterine cancer in 1985. Today she and her husband share her story to help other women stay positive and forward thinking during their diagnosis and treatment.
· Cancer is a Word, Not a Sentence, by Dr. Robert Buckman, compliments of Ms. Jackie Meister. - This book is a practical guide to help you through the first few weeks and after.
· AntiCancer, A New Way of Life, by David Servan-Schriber, M.D., Ph.D, compliments of Darlene Gray - “Enormously compelling evidence and arguments for participating in our own health by supporting our deep natural capacity for healing. Everybody should read this book and enact is simple but potentially lifesaving recommendations. David Servan-Schreiber speaks with a powerful voice from both personal experience with cancer at a young age and from his life’s calling as a physician and neuroscientist.” John Karat-Zinn, Professor of Medicine Emeritus
· 100 Questions and Answers About Ovarian Cancer, by D.Dizon, MD, N.Abu-Rustum, MD, A.Brown, compliments of Gail Buettner-Willis, 2008. - Great resource book about ovarian cancer, surgical treatments, chemotherapy treatments and drugs, and statistics. Difficult to read in the beginning as it is very informative and realistic in it’s approach. Good for folks who want facts. Best resource for info on ovarian cancer I have seen. DG
· Learn the True Science of Perfect Health with Recipes that Work, by Hazel Richards, compliments of Felicity Butler.
· CBC Radio Regina, Afternoon Edition, Interview: D.Gray, OCATS by Jenn Gibson, Dec 3/08. 17:13.
· I'd Rather Do Chemo Than Clean Out the Garage: Choosing Laughter Over Tears, by Fran Di Giacomo
· God Does Have a Sense of Humour, by Rob Ballister
· 100 Questions and Answers About Cervical Cancer, by Dizon
· Bliss To You, Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life, By Trixie Koontz, Dog as told to Dean Koontz
· Patient’s Guide to Ovarian Cancer, John Hopkins, Ritu Salani and Robert E. Bristow
· Love, Medicine & Miracles, Bernie Siegel, MD
· Getting Well Again, Carol Simonton, MC, Stephanie Matthews-Simonton, James L. Creighton
· Picking Up the Pieces, Moving Forward After Surviving Cancer, Sherri Magee, PhD & Kathy Scalzo, MSOD
· Where Miracles Happen, True Stories of Heavenly Encounters, Joan Wester Anderson
· Life After Cancer Treatment, Facing Forward Series, National Cancer Institute
· Ways You Can Make a Difference in Cancer, Facing Forward Series, National Cancer Institute