CENTER TWP — The group has lost participants since COVID-19 and switched meeting venues a couple of times.

Regardless, the Butler Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group remains as passionate as ever — and Cheryl Schaefer, 66, of Center Township, remains at the heart of it.

“This group started more than 30 years ago,” Schaefer said. “I was asked to take it over about 20 years ago and didn’t hesitate. This means too much to people.”

Schaefer has battled Stage 4 breast, uterine and thyroid cancer since 2008. She said the support group consists of fellow cancer survivors and a few family members of those fighting the disease.

The group initially met at the Butler Memorial Hospital. The meetings were then moved to the Cardiovascular Center on Route 38. Meetings now take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Center Township.

“Our meetings are open to anyone and we’re always trying to get more people to come,” Schaefer said. “Our numbers have taken a big hit since the COVID outbreak (2020).

“Cancer weakens the immune system and a lot of people are afraid to come out.”

Prior to COVID-19, the support group had 25 to 30 people at each meeting. Schaefer said less than 10 show up now, though 90 people are on the group’s mailing list.

“No one’s ever asked to be taken off,” Schaefer said.

The advantage of being part of the support group is primarily talking with and getting to know individuals who are fighting the same fight.

“Friends and family want to help, of course, say they know what you’re going through, but they don’t,” Schaefer said. “When we get a new cancer patient in the group, we talk to them, tell them about issues that will come up, give them hints that will help them.”

Among the issues that come up are acquisition of hairpieces, where to go and how to get financial help for those items, along with dealing with the affects of chemotherapy.

When undergoing chemo, patients experience a loss of their sense of taste.

“It leaves a metal taste in their mouths and lessens the appetite,” Schaefer said. “We encourage those who have chemo to eat with plastic silverware. A touch of lemon in their water or pop helps stimulate the taste buds as well. They will taste more and eat more.

“Doctors who haven’t had cancer don’t tell you things like that.”

The emotional support members of the group give each other is immeasurable.

Center Township resident Beth Neese has Stage 4 breast cancer and has been with the group for years.

“When you have cancer, you want to talk to people who have walked that walk,” Neese said. “They get what you’re going through and you receive a wealth of information through just talking with each other and sharing things.

“My mom is a cancer survivor and is part of the group, too. A lot of us get together outside of the meetings. I’ve had some of them come to my house. Some pretty serious bonds are formed.”

Slippery Rock resident Amy Nevel, a member of the support group for 10 years, echoed that feeling.

“I had a double mastectomy and the group helped me with prosthetic bras,” Nevel said. “All of the ladies were helpful. I feel comfortable talking to them.”

Nevel said she was experiencing bad side effects from a pill she was taking for five years, “and Cheryl helped me through that. She’s become one of my best friends.

“I feel like I have 24/7 access to Cheryl. She’s my lifeline. She’s so knowledgeable because she’s been through so much. I can call her in the middle of the night and she’ll pick up the phone. She’s amazing.”

Nevel added that the people you meet through the support group “become forever friends.”

Many of Schaefer’s friendships today were formed through the cancer support meetings.

“You get to know them. You get to know their families ... It’s hard to describe,” she said. “We do things together. We stay in touch. It’s a bond that’s forever.”

People who don’t like to drive at night may leave the meetings early. Some patients send someone to represent them. The group is flexible in a lot of ways.

“It’s all about getting the word out,” Schaefer said. “We’ve had people in the group in their 20s. We’ve had someone as old as 101. You’re not alone.”