Support Our Caregivers Thursday, February 26, 2026
Your Facilitators
Lisa P. Nelson, LMSW,OSW-C
Oncology SocialWorker
Megan-Claire Chase
ILC Breast Cancer Survivor, Breast Cancer Program Director
Host, Our BC Life Podcast
Recap of February 2026 Session
The February session focused on the emotional dynamics between patients and caregivers, emphasizing communication, gratitude, and healthy boundaries. Members explored the often-unseen emotional and cultural labor caregivers carry, particularly within Black communities where expectations of strength and self-reliance can make asking for help feel difficult.
Discussion centered on how cancer disrupts family roles and independence, with many participants navigating the dual reality of being both a patient and a caregiver. Survivorship-related grief and PTSD emerged as key themes, as members shared that healing often continues long after others assume the cancer experience has ended.
Through guided reflection and group discussion, participants identified practical communication strategies, including expressing needs without shame, naming changes in capacity, and setting clear boundaries. The session reinforced that caregiving and survivorship are both full-time responsibilities and that rest, support, and self-care are essential – not optional.
The session concluded with a collective affirmation and strong participant feedback highlighting the value of culturally responsive, supportive spaces that validate lived experience and reduce isolation.
Key Takeaways
• Caregiving carries emotional, cultural, and mental labor that often goes unseen
• Many cancer patients continue to care for others while navigating diagnosis or survivorship
• Survivorship does not mean the emotional work is over
• Clear communication reduces resentment and strengthens relationships
• Asking for help is not weakness—it’s adaptation
• Boundaries are essential to sustaining care and self-preservation
• Rest, therapy, and joy are valid and necessary parts of healing
• Community spaces that center cultural understanding foster deeper support and connection