“Caregivers sometimes feel isolated and on their own -- they don’t have to go through cancer alone.”    

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Kitty McCormick, right, with her mother, Anita McCormick, left

© Bill Aron

Kitty McCormick’s father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001.  Larry McCormick, a newscaster for KTLA who was one of the first African American TV anchormen in Los Angeles, chose to be discreet and private about his treatment, even with his family.  But in 2004, it was plain to see that his health was deteriorating and Kitty and her mother needed to know what was happening.  It had become too stressful – second guessing doctor’s comments, researching online.  Eventually her father confided to them the details of his situation, and it was serious.  It was at that point that Kitty thought, “Yeah, I need some help.”

Kitty is a school social worker and is accustomed to dealing with psychological issues with her students.  Cancer is a life altering experience, and Kitty knew that she needed help supporting herself, her mother and her father.  She had heard of The Wellness Community and felt that it might be a good place to get extra support. 

Kitty was placed into a family support group.  At first, her mother was resistant to trying TWC-WLA.  But eventually she did and while not as regular a group member as Kitty, she found friendship and made connections.  Kitty found her group to be extremely helpful in relieving her own stress.  She remembers stopping in the ladies room before group one night and seeing a woman with a scarf covering her head.  The woman asked Kitty if she was going to TWC.  When Kitty said yes, she asked if Kitty had cancer.  (Kitty didn’t know if this woman had cancer, but it seemed obvious.)  Kitty told her that she was part of the caregiver support group.  She will never forget the woman’s kind comment: “That is so wonderful that you are taking care of yourself.” 

Kitty’s group helped her cope with the stress of her father’s illness by connecting her with others going through a similar experience.  As Kitty says, “Caregivers sometimes feel isolated and on their own – they don’t have to go through cancer alone.”  In her group, she found people who were open and supportive.  Since her father was diagnosed in 2001, Kitty had experienced a time when his health was on an “upswing”.  But now, this was not the case.  There were family members in her group at all “stages” with their loved ones: some who were recovering and some who were not.  She recalls how happy everyone was when someone had a positive story about their loved one’s treatment – to hear that someone else was improving gave Kitty hope and as she says,  “ . . . lifted my heart.”  Kitty feels everyone in her group participated in this experience of lightness and hope.  During the darker times, there was also comfort. 

Kitty’s father died in August of 2004.  Kitty participated in the Family Connection, a group at TWC-WLA that helps participants cope with the death of a loved one.  Kitty is still involved with The Wellness Community, still connected.  She has raised money by being a part of its marathon team and continues to keep in touch with her former group members.  Kitty and the other members of her group all shared the life changing experience of cancer and this has been something that will forever connect them.