As the saying goes, “There’s strength in numbers” and for area cancer survivors the words carry even more meaning, thanks to a new collaboration between the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, the Boothbay Region YMCA, and the Community Center in Boothbay Harbor.

Calling their effort the “Coastal Cancer Cooperative Support Group,” the three organizations have come together to provide free support to cancer survivors in ways that reflect their various strengths.

Community Center Director Jane Good said she recognized the need for the collaboration when, “Someone we care about needed something to help with a recent cancer diagnosis.”  

The library is offering the “Cancer Care Connect” audio seminar series in the upstairs community room on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. beginning Oct. 4. The series, which is provided by the American Cancer Society, will provide information about coping, healthy eating, caregivers, managing chemotherapy and other topics.

Also kicking off its new season on Oct. 4, the YMCA’s Livestrong program provides cancer survivors with a 12-week program to increase their strength and their quality of life, in addition to developing supportive relationships. The program is free and does not require a YMCA membership to participate. The only requirement is the commitment to come to the Y and participate for 12 weeks. Sessions are from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is, as YMCA Healthy Living Coordinator Abby Jones explained, “a program that becomes a support group.”

The Community Center is offering a cancer support group meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the center, facilitated by Debbie Lewis and Lori Murray. The next meeting is Oct. 6.

At the meeting, people may talk about whatever they would like and stay as long as needed. “We’ll help people with the emotional aspects of cancer by providing a safe place to share their feelings and challenges,” explained Lewis.

At a recent meeting of the cooperative, Caroline Roberts of the library, Jones, Good, Lewis and Murray explained the reasons for the collaboration. “It’s been proven that exercise, support and education are essential in surviving cancer,” Lewis said.

“And this provides a three-branched support system, that includes emotional, fitness and informational support,” Jones said.

“We love our community, we enjoy serving others and we are stronger and more effective when unified,” Roberts said. “That’s why we became a cooperative group.”