Message from the Volunteer Advisory Council
Editor’s Note: VAC member Jeanne Lipshetz shares her personal views and experiences with grief as part of National Grief Awareness Day (August 30). Grief and coping with the loss of a loved one look different for everyone. Contact PanCAN Patient Services for resources to help cope with loss.
Grief is a deeply personal and complex emotion that affects each of us differently, yet it is something we will all encounter in our lifetimes. Grief awareness is about recognizing this universal experience and understanding that there is no single “right” way to mourn. It encourages compassion, patience, and openness when supporting ourselves and others through loss. By talking more openly about grief, we can help break the silence that often makes people feel isolated in their pain.
For many, grief becomes especially profound when facing the loss of loved ones to devastating illnesses like cancer – my family lost our mom and sister within six months of one another in 2010 to pancreatic cancer and a rare form of leukemia that took my husband, Steve, in 2023. These diseases often bring cruel urgency, leaving families grappling with shock, helplessness, and the struggle to find hope in the midst of fear.
Watching family members endure the pain of aggressive treatments and the emotional toll of a terminal diagnosis can deepen the sorrow and make the grieving process feel endless, even before death occurs.
Sharing our stories about loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer or leukemia or any cancer can help honor their memory while supporting others who may be on similar journeys. It reminds us that grief is not a burden to hide, but a testament to love and connection. By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations, we can help families feel less alone, create communities of support, and inspire hope for better research, treatment, and understanding in the fight against these relentless diseases.
If you or someone you love needs support, consider reaching out to these resources: PanCAN Patient Services, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Alliance for Grieving Children, and the American Cancer Society.
-Submitted by Jeanne Lipshetz
Grief is a deeply personal and complex emotion that affects each of us differently, yet it is something we will all encounter in our lifetimes. Grief awareness is about recognizing this universal experience and understanding that there is no single “right” way to mourn. It encourages compassion, patience, and openness when supporting ourselves and others through loss. By talking more openly about grief, we can help break the silence that often makes people feel isolated in their pain.
For many, grief becomes especially profound when facing the loss of loved ones to devastating illnesses like cancer – my family lost our mom and sister within six months of one another in 2010 to pancreatic cancer and a rare form of leukemia that took my husband, Steve, in 2023. These diseases often bring cruel urgency, leaving families grappling with shock, helplessness, and the struggle to find hope in the midst of fear.
Watching family members endure the pain of aggressive treatments and the emotional toll of a terminal diagnosis can deepen the sorrow and make the grieving process feel endless, even before death occurs.
Sharing our stories about loved ones lost to pancreatic cancer or leukemia or any cancer can help honor their memory while supporting others who may be on similar journeys. It reminds us that grief is not a burden to hide, but a testament to love and connection. By raising awareness and encouraging open conversations, we can help families feel less alone, create communities of support, and inspire hope for better research, treatment, and understanding in the fight against these relentless diseases.
If you or someone you love needs support, consider reaching out to these resources: PanCAN Patient Services, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Alliance for Grieving Children, and the American Cancer Society.
-Submitted by Jeanne Lipshetz
Archives