Cancer Support Leader to Train Local Pastors, Community Members

A leader in cancer support and counseling will speak at the Homewood Cancer Support Center Sept. 20.

Rev. Percy McCray, director of Pastoral Care for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in north suburban Zion, will present his dynamic program, “Our Journey of Hope” (OJOH), to religious leaders and community members on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cancer Support Center, 2028 Elm Road, in Homewood.

His visit to the south suburbs comes at a critical time, following a recent report by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which revealed that cancer will become the nation’s leading killer of Americans by 2030 and as more church leaders are recognizing the urgency of providing support and counsel to individuals living with cancer and their caregivers. OJOH is a comprehensive lay-ministry training program that teaches ministry and outreach groups how to use faith and spirituality to support individuals and families battling cancer. Rev. McCray, an ordained minister and faith and wellness expert, travels nationwide to assist churches in forming cancer ministries to serve their congregants and the community.

“Cancer is an all-encompassing disease and has an extraordinarily deep and spiritual impact on patients and their families,” Rev. McCray said. “Therefore, they need to know that there are resources available to them, and be assured that people care and they are not alone. Through OJOH, we want to equip faith leaders to utilize their expertise in spirituality to help families cope with the effects of this disease.”

According to “The Cancer Experience: A National Study of Patients and Caregivers,” a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by CTCA, spiritual support ranked high in importance among patients and caregivers seeking an “integrated care experience” from the care provider, yet less than 20 percent said they received the support in actual experience with treatment.

The OJOH program, which was developed based on one patient’s desire to have a chaplain come speak to her faith community, has been addressing the needs of patients, caregivers and church leaders for over a decade.

Cynthia Turnquest, manager of community relations for the Cancer Support Center, believes these statistics should encourage people to learn more about the role that spirituality can have in addressing life threatening illnesses. She participated in an OJOH training session last year to get a first-hand account of the effective approaches and anecdotes that can be used to heal and empower people with cancer.

“It is really designed for lay-ministers to go back to their congregations with the tools, skills and resources regardingcancer, with a greater understanding of the needs of cancer patients, and with new approaches to incorporating scripture and prayer and ministering to their congregants,” Turnquest said. “Rev. McCray is such a dynamic speaker. He gives his personal account and the experience he has had doing this. It is very powerful. A couple of churches have contacted me and they are trying to start their own ministries. This will be an integral part of starting that process.”

Those interested in attending the training session are asked to register by contacting Cynthia Turnquest at 708-365-1204 or cturnquest@cancersupportcenter.org, or Tamika Perry of Gilda’s Club Chicago at 312-464-9900, ext. 33 or tamikaperry@gildasclubchicago.org.

About Reverend McCray

Rev. McCray strives to provide an ecumenical umbrella of spiritual support for patients, family members and staff whereby persons of any faith can be strengthened, motivated and inspired to combat cancer. In creating an environment conducive to healing and recovery, the spiritual support team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America exists as a great source of comfort for patients and families. Learn more about Rev. McCray.