Peggy Werness is someone who knows the power of support. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor and the parent of a daughter with special needs, she learned well before her own breast cancer diagnosis in May, 2015, both how to give and how to receive. Reaching out has been a way of life for her.
While Peggy was familiar with additional options for support and information, including other survivors she already knew, it was the Firefly Sisterhood brochure that piqued her interest just days after her diagnosis. Peggy contacted Firefly’s Program Manager who quickly matched her with a Guide. It was the similarity Peggy found between her Guide and herself – in diagnosis, geographic location, and life circumstances – that she found especially remarkable. She appreciated being able to ask her Guide specific questions about their same type of cancer and treatment experience and having the opportunity to connect personally with someone who truly could understand.
When Peggy’s cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks later, Peggy encouraged her to reach out to Firefly to be matched with a Guide, which she did. Peggy says with confidence, “I just don’t feel like anyone should go it alone.”
Hear Peggy talk about the power of having support: Peggy’s Story
This Is Living With Cancer