Building Community is a Pillar of Self-Care

When a person is diagnosed with cancer, many emotions and worries come up. To ease the process of adjusting to this new life experience, patients are often advised to be close to their loved ones and seek professional help if they are struggling with their mental health.

Finding a cancer community can be challenging, as there are emerging options every year. However, a trusting community that advocates for patient-centered care is key. That’s why HealthTree created a supportive space for people with blood cancer by honoring self-care as a community practice. In this article you’ll also explore how HealthTree’s Coach program connects people with lived experience to those currently navigating diagnosis and treatment.

Self-Care Is More Than “Me Time”

Today, self-care is often sold as spa days, candles, or herbal teas, a practice shaped by consumer culture. But the original meaning of self-care, especially in the words of Audre Lorde, was deeply communal and rooted in survival. Lorde understood the challenges cancer patients face, as she was one herself, being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44, and the author of The Cancer Journals. In her book, she encourages women to rethink the role of breast cancer in their lives and to find meaning in their experience. 

Audre Lorde described self-care as a way to preserve one's well-being in the face of constant societal challenges. For Lorde, caring for oneself wasn’t indulgence; it was an act of resistance and a path to empowerment. She emphasized that healing happens best not in isolation but within a community. This idea is especially relevant for people facing cancer, who often experience emotional, physical, and mental strain. Building strong, shared connections through a trusted support network becomes a vital part of navigating life after diagnosis.

Why Community Matters in Cancer Care

Facing a cancer diagnosis often brings a flood of emotions, uncertainty, and change. While medical teams guide treatment, patients are left searching for connection, understanding, and shared experience. That’s where the role of the community becomes essential. 

Community provides emotional support, practical advice, and a reminder that you’re not alone. It creates space for collective healing, where people can learn from each other, share stories, and grow stronger together. HealthTree was founded with this in mind: to give every patient not just tools, but people to walk alongside them.

HealthTree: A Patient-Centered Foundation

Since 2012, HealthTree has worked to build a meaningful community for people with blood cancer. Founded by myeloma patient Jenny Ahlstrom and her husband Paul, HealthTree helps patients understand their condition, track treatment, and stay informed. But beyond tools and education, HealthTree offers a real connection. You can join regional Cure Teams working together to advance research, attend free online and in-person events, and find others with similar experiences. These opportunities are built to reduce isolation and create lasting, supportive relationships. HealthTree understands that knowledge empowers, but community sustains.

JOIN THE HEALTHTREE COMMUNITY

Meet or Become a HealthTree Coach

One of HealthTree’s most impactful ways of building community is through its Coach program. HealthTree Coaches are trained volunteers (either patients or care partners) who guide others facing blood cancer. As someone looking for support, you can choose a Coach based on shared diagnosis, treatment history, personal background, or geographic location. You can work with more than one Coach and connect in the way that suits you best: by phone, video, or in person.

You can also become a Coach. No prior experience is required. HealthTree provides thorough training, including videos, webinars, and tools to help you support others. The only requirement is a commitment of at least 8 hours per month for a year. Coaching is a powerful way to give back, strengthen your own sense of purpose, and ensure no patient faces cancer alone.

VISIT HEALTHTREE COACH

Sources: 

• The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
• Why acknowledging and celebrating the Black feminist origins of ‘self-care’ is essential