“This retreat has meant an opportunity to experience and discover, as well as affirm, the transformation hat has occurred this past year and acknowledge the new stage of my life journey.”

– Roxane
Mapping the Hero's Journey
April 2005

Sunstone Survivorship Council

Sunstone's Survivorship Council is composed of cancer survivors and has operated within the structure of the Center to bring the voice of survivors to Center affairs. At Sunstone Cancer Support Centers, survivors are any one with a history of cancer from the point of diagnosis on.

The Council is an open membership group - all survivors are welcome - and is committed to having diversity within its membership-age, ethnic, geographic, and by cancer diagnosis.

The Council serves several roles:

1) Supports Sunstone's Mission, Vision and Core Values,
2) Supports the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer in making Sunstone a fiscal and programmatic success,
3) Serves as an advisory group to the Chief Executive Officer on policy matters and feedback from Sunstone participants.

In addition, the Council supports Sunstone's development in the following specific ways:

• Works with Sunstone to develop and implement policies, programs and services that recognize and address survivorship issues
• Encourages survivor participation in all aspects of Sunstone, including ensuring that survivors have an opportunity to assess Sunstone's programs and share their personal experiences
• Serves as a non-medical voice in Sunstone's affairs, particularly program and policy development
• Serves as community liaisons to increase awareness about Sunstone and its programs, including helping to create and serve on a Speakers' Bureau
• Assists in linking newly diagnosed survivors with longer-term survivors and other resources.
• Assists in the development of a volunteer program, including volunteer training.

The Council's activities have included:

• Participated in the interviewing process for the selection of the Chief Executive Officer
• Created and presented two regularly scheduled educational programs - Survivor to Survivor: Navigating Cancer, and Sunstone and Its Programs
• Organized and hosted Survivors Fairs in 2002 and 2003
• Organized and hosted two scholarship fundraising events - a tea in honor of Marilyn Downey on February 15, 2003, and a party in honor of Sara Scholl on February 21, 2004
• Served as hosts for Sunstone day and evening programs
• Served as volunteers for Sunstone events and on workdays
• Provided feedback to the Chief Executive Officer on several policy issues
• Providing support for the first (2004) survivor giving program