Benefits of Support from a Care Partner on a CLL / SLL Journey
CLL and SLL patients must deal with an incurable but slow-moving cancer that puts heavy physical, emotional, social, and financial strain on the care partner and not just on the patient. Without the dedicated support of the care partner (aka caregiver or carer), some important treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma, such as a bone marrow transplant or CAR-T therapy, might not even be possible.
CLL / SLL Care Partners Are Often Underrecognized and Under Supported
As the patient is the one with life-threatening cancer undergoing the treatment, care partners often feel that it is inappropriate for them to ask for the help they need. Many care partners go through many of the same stains as the patient, but without medical and communal support. Care partners need to be encouraged and empowered to ask for the help they need.
CLL Society Resources for Care Partners
CLL Society offers several options for care partner support, including numerous educational resources, CLL-specific support groups where caregivers are always welcome, an Emotional and Spiritual Advocate Program, as well as a Peer Support Program.
Dr. Koffman was interviewed on this important topic by WebMD for their article, Advice for CLL Caregivers.
In summary, when we say, “Stay strong; we are in this together,” we aren’t just talking about patients but also their care partners.
