In the bustling halls of the Bergonié Institute, a quiet revolution is taking place. Beyond the sterile walls adn cutting-edge technology, a network of compassionate volunteers is providing invaluable support to cancer patients, offering a lifeline of hope and understanding.
Guitta, a vibrant 66-year-old restaurateur, knows firsthand the harrowing journey of battling cancer. After conquering stage 4 ovarian cancer with metastases in 2017, she emerged with a profound desire to help others facing similar challenges. “I am in remission,” she shares, “and when I was treated here at Bergonié, one thing was missing: I felt terribly alone in my journey. Though, I was well looked after, the people around me where kind, and my family was there… But this loneliness. Not being able to share anything about your fear.”
“Meeting someone who has had the same illness as you, who has been at rock bottom and who is doing well, gives you hope. The light at the end of the tunnel.”
Driven by this experience,Guitta became the Gironde representative for Imagyn,an association dedicated to supporting women with gynecological cancers.”The doctors regard us with a lot of respect,” she admits. “They are very human, but we know something else. We’ve been there.”
Armande, a 53-year-old breast cancer survivor, echoes this sentiment. Diagnosed in 2018, she now volunteers with the vivre comme avant association. “Almost all the volunteers who work at Bergonié hospital have all been there,” she explains. “Except the Pink Blouses. We speak outside of medicine, outside of family, outside of professionals. It is essential that patients can have a neutral speaking space. When I go to meet patients in their rooms, I never know what awaits me. Sometimes, I’m pushed around, I’m confronted with people who are angry, totally closed off or depressed or silent… I respect and I put down my flyers. I’ll come back later. Here I was well cared for physically. A nurse gave me a brochure from the association, which I contacted. Which helped me considerably.”
A Network of Support
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At the bergonié Institute, volunteer associations are not merely tolerated; they are embraced as integral partners in patient care.The twenty associations operating on-site and beyond, each focusing on a specific type of cancer, play a vital role in providing emotional support, empathetic listening, and a connection to the healthcare team.
“They are a shoulder to lean on, an ear that can understand the language of suffering.”
Céline Etchetto, deputy general director of the Institute, speaks with deep gratitude about the invaluable contributions of these volunteers. ”In Bergonié, we welcome 80 volunteers,” she says, “we could welcome even more.” She emphasizes the crucial role these associations play in the overall well-being of patients. ”They are everywhere, providing support to patients, empathetic listening and connection with the healthcare teams. Along with room visits, in radiotherapy and chemotherapy rooms, they participate in prevention actions: Pink October, Movember, Blue March etc. They can be considered as partners who complete the mission of caregivers in the overall care of patients.”
Christine Loubery, chair of the Urilico 33 association, which supports individuals with digestive ostomies, underscores the profound impact these volunteers have on patients’ lives. “We can no longer do without them,” adds Céline Etchetto. “Our doctors are short of time, even if they are attentive. From now on, volunteers are associated with the establishment strategy, we have created a body, the volunteer council.”
In a powerful display of solidarity and support, a network of volunteer organizations in France is stepping up to provide crucial assistance to individuals living with ostomy bags.These dedicated volunteers are filling a critical gap in patient care, offering not onyl practical guidance but also emotional support and a sense of community.
“From now on,volunteers are associated with the establishment strategy,” a representative from the network stated,highlighting the growing recognition of the vital role volunteers play in the healthcare system.
“That’s the case for me,” she admits. “At my level, I hadn’t found anyone to reassure me and explain to me how to live with it. Morally and concretely. Our association promotes education and sharing of experience.Tough to talk about it to loved ones, with us, all taboos are lifted.”
many patients, like the woman quoted above, face the daunting challenge of adjusting to life with an ostomy bag.The emotional and practical implications can be overwhelming, leaving individuals feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn for help. This is where volunteer organizations step in, offering a lifeline of support and understanding.
What about User Rights?
The volunteers’ contributions extend far beyond providing emotional support. They play a crucial role in empowering patients by informing them about their rights and the various resources available to them. From navigating the complexities of healthcare systems to accessing financial assistance and support groups, volunteers act as advocates, ensuring that patients are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.
These organizations, including Alliance33, Anama Cap, Assem, Groupe3V, Imagyn, les Blouses roses, La Ligue Gironde, MHB, Peni Beffalan, URILICO 33, Vivre comme avant, and VMEH, are making a profound difference in the lives of ostomy patients. Their dedication and compassion are a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of community support in navigating challenging health journeys.
## Hope Blooms in the Halls: How Volunteers at the Bergonié Institute Are Changing Lives.
**World-Today-News Exclusive Interview**
The Bergonié Institute, a beacon of hope for cancer patients, is not just about cutting-edge treatment and advanced technology. Behind the sterile walls, a quiet revolution is taking place, driven by a network of compassionate volunteers who are providing invaluable emotional support to those battling cancer.
We spoke to Guitta and Armande, two courageous women who transformed their personal struggles into a mission of helping others. both are volunteers at the Bergonié Institute, representing Imagyn and vivre comme avant respectively, associations dedicated to supporting cancer patients.
**From Survivor to Supporter**
Guitta, a vibrant 66-year-old restaurateur, knows firsthand the harrowing journey of battling cancer. After conquering stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2017, she experienced a profound sense of loneliness during treatment.
“While I received excellent care,” she shares, “the emotional aspect was missing. I felt alone in my fear, unable to connect with someone who truly understood.” Driven by this experience, she joined Imagyn, an association dedicated to supporting women with gynecological cancers.
“We offer somthing unique,” she explains, “a shared experience. Meeting someone who has been through the same illness, who has been at rock bottom and is now doing well, gives you hope. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Armande,a 53-year-old breast cancer survivor diagnosed in 2018,echoes this sentiment.Volunteering with vivre comme avant, she recognizes the importance of providing a neutral, non-medical space for patients to connect.
“We speak outside of medicine, outside of family, outside of professionals,” she explains. “Sometimes, patients are angry, closed off, depressed or silent. But we are there to listen, to offer support.It’s incredibly rewarding to see the relief and hope in their eyes.”
**Partners in Care**
The Bergonié Institute embraces volunteer associations as integral partners in patient care.
Céline Etchetto, deputy general director of the Institute, emphasizes the crucial role these volunteers play. “They are a shoulder to lean on, an ear that can understand the language of suffering,” she says. “They complete the mission of caregivers in the overall care of patients.”
With twenty volunteer associations operating on-site, each focused on a specific type of cancer, the Institute is fostering a culture of compassionate care that extends far beyond medical treatment.
**A Call to Action**
The dedication and compassion of these volunteers at the Bergonié Institute are a testament to the power of human connection in the face of adversity. Their stories highlight the importance of recognizing the emotional needs of patients and creating spaces for support and understanding. As Guitta puts it, “We may not be doctors, but we offer something equally valuable: compa
ssion, empathy, and hope– the fuel that keeps the fire burning even in the darkest of times.”
