Kelly Graham works at the Evans City Pharmacy.

Butler County has a number of support services and groups to help patients suffering from various illnesses.

Here are two resources for women who have been diagnosed with cancer.

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CHERYL SCHAEFER of Center Township leads the Women’s Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group, which recently expanded to include caregivers of women with cancer as well.Schaefer, 52, a former registered nurse who served in the U.S. Army for more than a decade, is a breast and uterine cancer survivor.Cancer has played a pivotal role in her life, starting in her teen years when an older cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer.Schaefer took care of her great aunt and her cousin until the great aunt moved into a nursing home.The cousin later moved in with Schaefer’s family, where she died from cancer.Schaefer’s mother also died from breast cancer.Schaefer joined the support group in 2000 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The group was started by Phyllis Schawalder, who died about a year ago of breast cancer.“After I had been with the group for a while, Phyllis’ job changed hours, so she put me in charge of organizing the meetings,” Schaefer said.The group meets the first Tuesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Butler Health System’s East Campus building on the fourth floor.“I try to have speakers every other meeting and an open discussion meeting the other times,” she said. “This gives the women a chance to learn about services that can help them, how to talk to their doctors, a (mastectomy) fitter and soon I’m going to have a hypnotist come in to help with pain management and other treatment aspects.”Schaefer said the group allows patients to talk to people who have gone through what they’re going through, including the fear of death.“It used to be that you got this diagnosis (breast cancer) and you just went home and started making funeral arrangements,” she said.“But that’s not how it is anymore, and we can help discuss what’s going to happen, disfigurement, how to get back to normal and how to keep fighting.”For information about the Women’s Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group, call Schafer at 724-282-4421.———

KELLY GRAHAM, a certified mastectomy fitter, helps breast cancer patients and survivors with the surgical results of their illness.Graham, who works at the Evans City Pharmacy on Route 68, helps women before and after their diagnosis fitting breast prosthesis, bras and bathing suits.“Some women come to me before surgery to talk about what to expect and what we can do after their swelling goes down,” Graham said.She also works with women who are in transition from their mastectomy to reconstructive surgery.“Some come in after reconstruction because they aren’t even and want a better fit,” Graham said.Originally trained in psychology, she worked as a counselor before completing training as a fitter, receiving board certification.“I take as much time as the women need when they come in to talk about how they feel and what they need to feel confident for life,” Graham said.For information, call Graham at the pharmacy at 724-538-4240, or talk to your doctor about other certified fitters.