National Family Caregivers Month: What You Need to Know

A cancer diagnosis does not just affect the one receiving it. For National Family Caregivers Month, here’s a round-up of the latest news and updates that focus on the friends and family members that take up the role of caregiver when their loved ones need them most:

1. Those caring for a family member or significant other with a rare disease — one that affects fewer than 200,000 Americans — may now be eligible for a grant allowing them to take some time off.
2. The merging of MyLifeLine.org with Cancer Support Community facilitates more comprehensive social and emotional support for patients and caregivers affected by cancer.
3. Cancer is a huge, life-changing event for a family and the power of the experience in a young person’s life should not be underestimated. We took a closer look at adolescents - the forgotten caregivers - in this piece.
4. Those people who may seem like a burden while you navigate the new normal that is life with cancer may be the very people who support you through this journey. For the caregivers out there: try to maintain your autonomy.
5. After serving as a cancer caregiver to her husband, Jay, and her sister, Emily, Katie Couric sat down with CURE to reflect on the lessons she learned along the way.