Men Battling Cancer Fellowship Group

Saint Francis Medical Center oversees the Men Battling Cancer Fellowship Group, but a male cancer patient being treated anywhere is welcome. The group meets the second Thursday of every month at the American Cancer Society, 106 S. Farrar Drive, in Cape Girardeau. To reach the men's group, phone 334-2230, Option 7. The contact person is Mary Nespor, Saint Francis Medical Center cancer navigator. Her job is to help people navigate the treatment maze that confronts them once they are diagnosed with cancer. Originally the group was to be structured around building soap box derby cars but discovered that simply having lunch together gave the men reason enough to meet. They prefer calling themselves a fellowship group instead of a support group.

One of their goals is to become mentors to other men who are going through cancer treatment. "They become mentors by the wisdom and knowledge gained in their own fight," Nespor said.

-- Sam Blackwell