In 2024, about 5,000 new oncology patients walked through the doors at Jupiter Medical Center Anderson Family Cancer Institute. But they didn’t have to go it alone.
To help with the often-daunting battle against cancer, a coordinated team of professionals provides comprehensive support services to patients and their families. These critical services range from emotional and psychological support—for both patients and their caregivers—to logistical and financial support.
“We are always available to guide patients and their caregivers” along each step of their cancer journey, says Leo Vaz, a licensed clinical social worker on the Anderson Family Cancer Institute support services team. Support is customized, of course, because “nothing is one-size-fits-all.”
SUPPORT TEAM
In addition to Vaz, the JMC oncology support team includes:
Most new patients seek support from the cancer institute’s team, notes Michelle Rodewald, director of Nursing Oncology Services at JMC.
For family members and friends who shoulder the task as caregivers, that support most often comes in the form of emotional or psychological counseling. “Inevitably, there are overwhelming feelings,” Vaz says. A cancer diagnosis “brings a lot of fear, shock, sadness, anger. As the disease progresses, caregivers are scared that they don’t how to help because they are not formally trained to provide medical care,” says Vaz. “Our role is to provide that sense of, ‘These are the things you can do.’”
Vaz guides a monthly support group specifically for caregivers who range from spouses and parents to children and friends. He also offers sessions in person or on the phone, sometimes in emergency triage situations. “As many as they need—it’s a lot of pressure,” he says, noting that some caregivers may have already been facing other challenges before their loved one’s cancer diagnosis and taking on the demanding role.
JMC also has monthly support groups for breast cancer patients and cancer patients in general, and it coordinates weekly virtual sessions for patients or caregivers in art, music, and yoga.
“I think the support groups are very helpful,” Vaz says. “Just to hear from someone else gives them a sense that they are not alone.”
Vaz notes that some caregivers feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment when they are helping loved ones. More often, however, they struggle with common pitfalls which Vaz says to watch for, such as:
As a result of feeling harried, inadequate, or pessimistic, one of the most common pitfalls caregivers fall into is self-neglect. Counseling can help caregivers understand the need to continue caring for themselves. Vaz equates it to emergency instructions given on airlines: put on your own oxygen mask first so you can then help others because if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others.
“We tend to be compassionate toward others but lack self-compassion,” he says. The work of many caregivers is equivalent to an added full-time job, Vaz notes, so “do not minimize what you are doing.”
FINANCES, LOGISTICS
In addition to emotional challenges, financial and logistical issues can burden patients and their families.
A financial navigator and other support service staff help patients get medical insurance in the marketplace, coordinate with pharmacies to minimize costs, and connect with outside cancer entities for financial and other support, including the Cancer Care and the American Cancer Society. “Both have an array of services to support patients and caregivers,” Vaz says.
On a more basic level, cancer often means caregivers taking greater roles in what are known as “activities of daily living,” such as, dressing, toileting, feeding and bathing, as well as “instrumental activities of daily living,” such as shopping, meal prep, medication management, and managing transportation and finances. “The caregiver becomes almost their aide,” Vaz says.
JMC’s oncology support services team regularly helps coordinate with outside agencies for physical and occupational therapy, custodial or personal care, and more. The support services team also makes a point to coordinate with caregivers themselves, not just patients, to help with the litany of tasks and appointments.
“I remember one time recently with five different family members during a patient visit,” Vaz says. “It was a good meeting with the physician, asking questions and supporting each other to split and share stressors. We invite whoever the patient chooses to participate in their care. If family cannot be here, they can be on the phone. The doctors are very accommodating with that.”
Vaz suggests three basic tips for caregivers: bring a notebook to clinical and physician appointments, get organized, and be willing to ask for help.
“We encourage patients to come with someone just to take notes,” Vaz says. “Just to hear what a doctor has to say is overwhelming. It’s hard to process all the information.”
Medication management is one area where organization can reduce stress on patients and caregivers, Vaz says. “Cancer care is complicated,” he says. “It can be overwhelming.”
CELEBRATING SURVIVORSHIP
In addition to quarterly lectures where cancer survivors or oncology support services team members share their experiences or knowledge, JMC also holds an annual survivorship day, typically scheduled to coincide with National Cancer Survivors Day during the summer.
“It’s a very special and tearful event,” Rodewald says. “We have quite a robust survivorship program that we’re very proud of.”
John Howe understands that as well as anyone after his wife, Jamie, underwent major cancer surgeries in 2023 and 2025 at JMC. “Find a health care team you can connect with and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your loved ones,” Jamie advises.
Diagnosed with the BRCA2 genetic mutation in her early 30s and the daughter of a three-time cancer survivor, Jamie took the proactive measure to have a double mastectomy at age 43 when very early-stage cancer was detected in her right breast in September 2023.
In February 2025, with a young son at home, the Howes chose not to risk IVF treatments a second time and Jamie underwent a hysterectomy and an oophorecteomy as preventative measures. “We felt like we owed it to our 4-year-old son to not take any unnecessary health risks,” explains John.
Both John and Jamie have exceptional praise for the care Jamie received, starting with her nurse navigator, Donna Skillings. “If you go through something like this, you should have a navigator,” Jamie says. “I never felt judged, and she always listened to me actively, making me feel heard. Compassionate and kind, just the best.”
READING FOR CAREGIVERS
* Cancer Care: cancercare.org
* American Cancer Society: cancer.org
* National Cancer Institute: cancer.gov
* Florida Cancer Connect: flcancerconnect.com
* Caring Bridge: caringbridge.org
To register to join a support group, email Leo Vaz at Leo.Vaz@jupitermed.com or call 561-263-3659.
Living with Breast Cancer Support Group
First Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m.
Location: Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center
Caregivers Support Group
Third Tuesday of the month at 5 pm.
Location: Anderson Family Cancer Institute
Living with Cancer Support Group
Second Thursday of the month at 5 pm.
Location: Anderson Family Cancer Institute
Pastoral Care
Request to meet with a member of the pastoral care team for emotional and spiritual support. Contact: 561-263-4457
Ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, and others to make time to take care of yourself. Tasks you can turn over or share with people:
Be prepared for some people not to help because they don’t have the time, may be coping with their own problems, had negative experiences as a caregiver, or they don’t know how to show they care or how they can help. If the relationship is important, you can tell the person how you feel to prevent resentment or stress from building up—or you can just let it go.
(Source: National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health)