Bridging the Gap: The Vital Role of Community for Those Affected By Cancer – Meet Stephanie Ciranni, Executive Director of Cancer Bridges

In this episode of Everything Cancer, we’re joined by Stephanie Ciranni, the dynamic Executive Director of Cancer Bridges, in Pittsburgh, PA, Everything Cancer host Jill's hometown. 

If you’re a cancer survivor or your life has been altered by cancer, Stephanie encourages you to explore local cancer support organizations in your area and  connect with resources like Cancer Bridges to experience the profound difference they can make. 

With over 200 programs and services offered monthly, Cancer Bridges serves not just those diagnosed with cancer but also their families, caregivers, and the bereaved with a warm and welcoming sanctuary that offers emotional, social, and wellness support.

Stephanie emphasizes the unique and transformative power of Cancer Bridges, highlighting how survivors benefit from connecting with others who truly understand their journey. Whether through support groups, creative classes, or one-on-one counseling, Cancer Bridges offers a safe space where everyone—from newly diagnosed patients to long-term survivors to stressed caregivers to children of a parent with cancer—can find comfort, community, and hope.

With a compassionate approach and a diverse array of programs, Cancer Bridges stands as a testament to the strength found in shared experiences and the vital importance of community in the cancer journey. 

Don’t navigate this alone—dip your toe in and discover the support waiting for you.

Contact Stephanie at stephanie@cancerbridges.org

Cancer Bridges 

Programs at Cancer Bridges 

Cancer Bridges Facebook

Cancer Bridges Instagram

CancerCare.org - National online support and resource organization

Just for fun:
The Pittsburgh (Yinzer) Accent

Transcript

Everything Cancer (00:02)
Hello everybody and welcome to the Everything Cancer podcast. We have a pioneer with us in Stephanie Serrani, who is the executive director of Cancer Bridges in Pittsburgh, which is an amazing cancer support organization. I cannot wait for her to go over with you all of the services they offer and also the history of how they got there, which is a very storied history. And Stephanie

has been a driving force behind pulling that into a unified, rich and dynamic group that just I get chills talking about it and I'm really happy to be able to be part of it. Stephanie, welcome to the podcast.

Stephanie Ciranni (00:47)
Thank you so much, Jill. Thanks for having me.

Everything Cancer (00:50)
Absolutely, I'm really excited to have you here. So, Pittsburgh's a very historical city, but Cancer Bridges also has a lot of history, so can you kind of give us some background with

Stephanie Ciranni (01:03)
Absolutely. Well, we started as two former organizations. One was Cancer Caring Center. It was also right here in the Pittsburgh area in Bloomfield. And they started in 1988, actually, really focusing on the emotional support needs of the cancer community. in Pittsburgh in particular, we have all these wonderful medical organizations and they focus on that medical piece of treatment. I people come from all over to get oncology support here in the Pittsburgh region, but there's a

piece to the cancer experience that needs to be supported, which is that psychosocial piece. So Cancer Caring Center opened in 1988 focusing on that emotional piece and then another organization called Gilda's Club, which later rebranded and went independent from the national group and rebranded as our clubhouse, started in 2006. And they really focused on that social wellness, the health and the physical health wellness, and had a big family and youth program.

So the two organizations constantly work together, referring members back and forth. know, clinical social worker, let's say at Cancer Caring Center, was seeing an adult member who spoke about the needs of maybe their children and how to talk to them about their diagnosis. They would send them to our clubhouse and vice versa. So anyone that was coming to our clubhouse, our social workers here, would say, should go to the support group that Cancer Caring Center offers. So finally, these two boards and executive directors got

many years ago and decided that we should really merge the two together so that we were the most comprehensive cancer support community that anybody that needs those services would have access to under one roof. And so proud to say that in September of 2021, we did merge and we rebranded as the Now Cancer Bridges. We offer about 200 programs and services every month for free that fill those buckets that I spoke about. So we have the emotional support,

the health and wellness support and the social support. So we get about 80 to 100 new members every month and our programs and services are very varied. We really focus on the breadth of the cancer experience. So it's not just the diagnosed, but the friends, family, caretakers, bereaved survivors and the family. The whole family unit really is we have programming for every piece of that journey.

So that's sort of the, that's the elevator speech of the history.

Everything Cancer (03:31)
That's quite an elevator speech. That's up many stories, but you covered a lot of ground and a very nice stories in a short amount of time. 80 to 100 new members every month. That's a lot of members that speaks to the amount of people that are being diagnosed, but also how much you're getting the word out there too, which is great.

Stephanie Ciranni (03:40)
yet. Yep.

every month.

Right, exactly.

Everything Cancer (03:59)
So how do you think the word is getting out there?

Stephanie Ciranni (04:02)
Well, definitely the rebranding of the organization helped and it just was a fresh concept back into the public because we of course announced that we were merging and so, you know, got picked up a lot and a lot of people were so excited about the merger. We work with every, we're totally independent, but we work with every hospital as well as public entities to speak about the programs that we offer and get the work, you know, the brochures out so they can give them to patients or those that might need our services. So I just think

that piece of it, just the sort of the rebrand and the merger itself brought us that exposure, but frankly the new members are also coming from word of mouth. I mean we have a big impact on the people that come and use our programs and services and all the volunteers and the wonderful facilitators that support our staff of 11 out in the community that tell everyone about

what we do here and how they could benefit. And because of the breadth of the services, meaning that we hit every piece of the journey, there's someone who hears from someone else that they know someone that's been diagnosed or that they've been diagnosed or something like that. And they're like, go to Cancer Bridges. They have something for that. They have something for that. And so I think it just really grows from there. But it's the feedback and the way that we...

treat every member that comes through our doors with empathy and support and understanding what they're going through. And I think that people tend to talk about that, positive that experience is for them. And we hear from them a lot about that positive experience. So I think there's a mix. And then of course, we have 11 amazing staff members and we're out there all the time that everything's working about. And luckily to

Everything Cancer (05:37)
Mm -hmm.

Yes. Yes. Your staff. Go ahead. I'm sorry.

Stephanie Ciranni (05:48)
to folks like you that invite us to do things like this and you understand the benefit of our organization. So we appreciate you.

Everything Cancer (05:57)
well, thank you. mean, there is a ton of benefit. I can't even begin to speak to the benefit. I know of the small slice I see and it's tremendous. I have seen amazing transformations in people. I've witnessed it over a spectrum of time when they enter in a dark period in their life. And I watch as a facilitator. I watch literally.

the other members give them support. And as a facilitator, that's my job to make sure that's going on and that the conversations don't go off the rails. It's the members that through the shared experience really offer that support and and make sure that that person feels uplifted and upheld. And they and I've seen them pull people out of really dark, really dark periods, no matter what is going on.

Stephanie Ciranni (06:28)
Yes.

Everything Cancer (06:54)
and help them cope with what's going on. And I've seen them get through people making hospice decisions and being able to talk openly about it and people getting through, well, not getting through, but announcing that their scan was clear. But then, you know, we also have the conversations of when people have scans coming up, that is a very anxiety provoking time.

Stephanie Ciranni (06:57)
Yes.

Yep.

yes, yes.

Everything Cancer (07:23)
You know, and so everybody in that group gets it and you don't have to explain it. They just get it. And that shared experience is invaluable. Plus the guest speakers will have and things like that. And I know I'm preaching to the choir, but for our audience that's listening, it is, it's, it's an experience that really can make you feel not alone.

Stephanie Ciranni (07:31)
Exactly.

Yeah.

Yes.

Everything Cancer (07:51)
and I encourage everyone to try their local cancer center out at least once, just once, dip your toe in the pool. So Stephanie, speaking of that, what would you say to someone who's really fatigued and just doesn't feel like being social and just wants to hide under their covers? What would you say to them that's going through the cancer journey?

Stephanie Ciranni (07:55)
Yes.

I think exactly what you just said, just encouraging them. Often, you we are getting calls from potential members who are already doing exactly what you're saying. They want to dip their toe in and they don't know what they want to do or how they want to get involved, but they're being told maybe by others around them or their oncologist or their nurse navigator that they really should connect with a program outside of the medical setting. And that's the, that's the, what we try to encompass here at Cancer Bridges. So what's unique about our program

And the reason that we get to the number 200, under 200 programs and services a month is exactly that. Yes, of course, if someone is wanting to join a support group that makes sense for either the diagnosis or the journey that if they're a caretaker or in grief, we have different support groups for that.

that sort of falls under that, it does fall under the emotional bucket. But sometimes you just want to have a social interaction and maybe you don't want to talk about cancer in that moment. So you can come here and you could take a creative expressions class. We just had a jewelry making class I just came down from that was going on in our art room here. You can come and do yoga. It's not the theme of that class is not going to be cancer specific. It's going to be about socializing

and being together and the isolation that comes with a diagnosis or someone in your family having a diagnosis is so high that we try to create these moments where you're just with others. Of course, sometimes someone may say exactly what you just mentioned. Yeah, I'm feeling a little nervous because next week I have another scan or so someone in my family does or whatever the case may be and there may be conversation around that but.

you know, not every single activity here is based in that emotional, emotional piece of the journey. You get sometimes need a break from that. So, you know, we would encourage anyone to call or take a look at our calendar and see how all the different types of programs that we offer. And there's typically a fit that, that might fill that need in that moment. And maybe from meeting others in that social setting, you realize that you absolutely can or should do a support group. we also do one -on -one counseling here. So if you're not ready

to talk to anyone at all, you can get up to six free counseling sessions here with a licensed clinical social worker and maybe move through some of those emotions before you dip your toe into, you know, we have social events that there's 400, know, or 400, that there are 100 people here in the facility that, you know, could be four hours long. You may not be ready for that, but you could start with something and move into some other activity.

Everything Cancer (10:41)
Ha ha.

I love that. mean, whether you listen to heavy metal or classical music, that's your lury making class is perfect for you. You can just express yourself. And I'm sure you have a lot of other activities that are along those lines where it doesn't matter what background you come from. You will find a way to, you will be made comfortable and fit. And it's more just about the social.

Stephanie Ciranni (10:57)
Yes. That's right. Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Yes.

Exactly. And if you are really feeling that you, for example, let's say it's been recommended that you do physical movement and you want to, but you don't know where to start or you're having anxiety about being in a room with others and exercising. We have many of those programs offered online. So you can turn your camera off and you can do chair yoga and you can be in a room with other people and seeing other people, but getting through some of that and eventually probably teach a class. Cause that's kind of how things go here. People get very

and engage and they realize we leave all that at the door. you so that's really why we look at everything that we offer here. We really dive into feedback that we receive. We really try to understand the needs of our community. They're coming here for services because we want to make sure that there is something for everyone.

Everything Cancer (12:06)
Well, if you're not feeling well, that's a great way to dip your toe in the pool is with cherry yoga and yes.

Stephanie Ciranni (12:10)
That's Yep. Or even coffee and chat. We do coffee and chat every Friday morning. It is 45 minutes to an hour. It's just a couple of members that get together. You can sit in your lazy boy if you want to and just connect. I mean, just chatting. What's the plan for the weekend? What's everyone have going on? So there's so much that can be accessed. Yep.

Everything Cancer (12:31)
That's amazing. Stephanie, what are some of the amazing transformations you've witnessed at Cancer Bridges that come to mind?

Stephanie Ciranni (12:38)
Oof. I got kind of chills when you ask. do get this, I always, I am often asked this question. I don't think my answer has ever been the same because I do see transformations almost every day here. I mean, last week I had an interaction. I was walking through the building here and I saw a member sitting in our lobby with our program director and she was crying.

and they were having a conversation about some a new diagnosis going on within the family and of course she was being met with a compassionate ear from Mia and you know having that conversation for a bit and then an hour later I was upstairs and I walked past our art room and she was in an art class and she was laughing with some other members because she had gotten what she needed in that moment but she wanted this other piece which you know laughter is is an emotion to be had as well as the crying so of course not

every transformation is that quick from coming from the lobby to the art room. that can happen every day here because the staff is incredible and the people that they interact with are supportive and listen. But I've also had long -term.

things that, stories that I've heard here. mean, our bereavement program is, you know, a very strong program that we offer here. And that can take some time to move from the initial feelings and the emotions that you're experiencing when you join our Moving Through Grief series or our Grief Support Group or our Grief Connect Group, which is a social group that we offer where they go do fun things because, you know, that's part of the process as well. And I've seen those transformations that could take a little bit longer,

you have people that come and they're absolutely not going to be getting us into a support group. They want to do one -on -one counseling. They don't want to talk to anyone else. They have a lot of emotions to process and they work with Wendy or one of our team members to do one -on -one counseling and then they're out at Phipps Conservatory at our social group a month later or helping me with a presentation because we, you know, really try to make sure that all of their needs are met. Our survivorship program is the same way. I had

young woman seek me out directly. You know, it happens from time to time. Just someone reached out and said, I really want to talk to you about your living life post cancer treatment program. Would you be willing to have a meeting with me? And I didn't know what it was going to be about. And I didn't know if it was going to be feedback one way or the other. I assumed, of course, that it was positive, but you never know. It was kind of vague. And she came here and she came into my office and we have this meeting and she said, I cannot tell you. I

of course had this wonderful medical treatment, when it was over and you like ring the bell, people just assume that you're beyond cancer, that you, they're like, yay, let's go celebrate. We can leave cancer behind us. And that was not how I felt. I felt like I was being dumped by a boyfriend and I didn't, I just couldn't, I didn't know how to move forward. And so she came across our living life post cancer treatment program and she joined and she just wants, she set this meeting with me and took time out of her schedule. She is

41 year old woman to come and tell me about her cancer journey. And she said, of course she was happy to be medically passed the diagnosis or at least in the treatment piece. But she said she doesn't think she would have moved on if it wasn't for that program. And so now she started her own company where she's making head scarves. I mean, she's taken like that support and put it out into the world in a different way. So I mean, I could go on and on.

Everything Cancer (16:13)
Hahaha

Stephanie Ciranni (16:13)
You could do a whole hour about this, but I mean, many, I mean, we get so many amazing member stories and just people, we call them mission moments here. We share them as a staff with each other when members reach out and just even a kind line or a kind word or, you know, our family and youth program. We just did a free five day camp a few weeks ago. We had 40 children here that are impacted by cancer and they're here from nine to three, two meals a day. We bring in community organizations and,

We have therapeutic learning opportunities and therapeutic play and things like that. And the messages we get from that program, I there's just nothing like it in this area. yeah, that's such an easy part of all the questions I receive. see changes in people every day.

Everything Cancer (17:01)
I bet it sounds like it. It's just that's got to be so rewarding to you. Yeah. So what's it like to work with families?

Stephanie Ciranni (17:05)
Yes.

Well, you know, here it's interesting because often we have members that will reach out, in particular a diagnosed parent who are actually looking for support for themselves who may not even realize that we can support the whole family unit. you know, that's such a relief to them when they reach out and they say, I need one -on -one counseling because I want to talk through how I'm going to tell my children.

about this diagnosis within the family, someone that they love, whether it's them or someone else, and we can say, we can do that, but we also have two child life specialists on staff that can meet with them individually and speak to children in a way that makes sense to them. can talk about cancer with Legos. We could do medical play. We can do one -on -one counseling with children ages three and up. So we have a

Family program here and then again, we do social events some sometimes the children that are part of the family Just want to be with others again They may not want to talk through what they're experiencing, but they want to be with others that understand it So, you know, we have lots of family and youth programming here that are social therapeutic educational We also have teen programs because that's it that's sort of an in -between age that need a different type of support so it's it's wonderful because

know that we're not helping one person and sending them back to deal with the rest of their family themselves. We can really provide support to the entire family.

Everything Cancer (18:42)
that you must take such a burden off parent's shoulders through that. I mean, there's so much to worry about with a diagnosis when you are a parent and just to have that piece taken care of is tremendous. What do you think are the, I mean, there's so many challenges as a young adult when they're diagnosed, so many.

Stephanie Ciranni (18:47)
Yeah. Yes.

You know.

Everything Cancer (19:10)
How do you think for our listeners, how do you think are some really good ways to help young adults deal with that?

Stephanie Ciranni (19:16)
Well, it's definitely getting connected because I think they have such a unique perspective. They're also extremely hopeful and often very positive. So we want to guard that feeling as well. You we want to make sure that they get connected to the programs and services that we offer in a way that makes sense them. Because again, they're the ones that really can benefit from a therapeutic art class or their parents are still active and alive if they're

Everything Cancer (19:26)
Yes.

Stephanie Ciranni (19:46)
and they may need a lot of support as well. So when we say family unit, it doesn't have to be small children and a parent diagnosed or a small child diagnosed and the parents, that's a sliding scale. So, you know, it's really about.

Everything Cancer (19:49)
Yeah.

Stephanie Ciranni (20:00)
getting them connected to, and they're the ones that rally and they're like, all right, we're putting together a fundraiser for you. We're doing this while they're dealing with their, you know, they can find a passion here that kind of ignites their soul and gives them the support that they need. you know, getting connected, I would say that for any age though, Jill, I mean, getting connected and having a conversation about what are you feeling? What do you need? Every single person that becomes a member here gets a phone call from one of our staff members to talk to them about the different things that

Everything Cancer (20:18)
Right.

Stephanie Ciranni (20:30)
offer and what would make sense for them to dip their toe in. Maybe it's just coming to do a tour here at the headquarters to see what the building is and then we'll go from there. We really try to make sure that we fit that need.

Everything Cancer (20:45)
So you keep an eye on your staff and you keep an eye on your members and you give and give and watch. What do you do to take care of yourself?

Stephanie Ciranni (20:54)
Well, you know, we, this team here really leans on each other. So yes, you're right, of course, by title, I suppose, that's how it works. But we really work together here. I we are a very united team in particular now that we are merged and we're a few years past the merger and we have figured out how we're gonna do this with the level of support that's needed in the community.

Everything Cancer (21:04)
Ha ha ha!

That's great.

Stephanie Ciranni (21:18)
So I really do still lean on them a lot, even if I am entitled looking for them too. But I get so much out of the member experience too. mean, that really fills me up seeing how we're helping the community and hearing their stories and everything. But I also have an amazing family. My husband and my daughter, for sure, fill me up in so many different ways. So we love to travel and being with them. And I have a great group of

Friends that you know, I try to keep an active social life outside of the office try to put my email away every once in a while But I mean really honestly Jill I also I'm such a proponent of mental health. I've been in therapy for most of my life I believe in it it it helps me You know, there's there still can be stigma around that which is why we're so proud about the free

counseling that we offer here. know that's a big draw for individuals who don't want to report in to maybe their work or their insurance or whatever that they're seeking that kind of help. I'm the opposite. I'm like waving flags all over the place. And so there's a lot that I get out of that as well. yeah, I really try to keep my social battery filled, laughter, being with the people that I love.

Everything Cancer (22:16)
Mm

Well, I think it's not always a matter either of not necessarily wanting your health insurance or your employer to know as oftentimes it's really hard to access, as you know, mental health, behavioral health services. So the fact that you offer those six free sessions is huge, especially for someone who's in a lot of need at that time. Obviously, if they're in crisis, you're going to refer them to crisis intervention. someone who's just having a really tough

Stephanie Ciranni (23:01)
Exactly.

Yes.

Everything Cancer (23:10)
time. Having that access is tremendous and until they get more pulled in and get the support that they need that they need there. And I'm so glad to hear that your staff all I mean I know several of them and they are an amazing group and I'm friends with many of them. I consider them friends. just they do lean on each other.

Stephanie Ciranni (23:14)
Yes.

Mm -hmm.

Everything Cancer (23:35)
quite a bit and they've been together for a long time. It seems very family -like in a lot of ways, which is great. How does Cancer Bridges interact with other cancer support organizations?

Stephanie Ciranni (23:40)
Yes. Yes.

Sure. So I think I mentioned before we are independent from any hospital system, but we do work with every hospital in this area. So they're often the ones that are the first to recognize when someone might need support beyond that medical, the medical piece that they're providing. So we have excellent referral partners at all of the hospitals that will recommend our services to those that need it. So we work very closely with hospitals and then they also will invite us to present to their

Everything Cancer (23:58)
Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Ciranni (24:21)
So the staff knows about us in any way because there could also be staff members that need our support It's not just referring us to the patient. So So we work closely with them. We have a very robust resource list here So yes, of course, we offer almost 200 programs and services a month But there's so many amazing organizations in this area that do things that they are they're already doing it We don't need to reinvent the wheel Yeah, so we have a really robust resource list. So if someone

Everything Cancer (24:45)
Right.

Stephanie Ciranni (24:50)
has something that they're looking for or a particular need, we make sure that we're referring them to the right place based on that. So we really try to keep that resource list updated. so someone says, it's on our website too. So someone could go and say, I'm looking, know, it's all alphabetical, try to figure out if there's something that we have or give us a call. We can try to find a connection. But then we also have a lot of direct interaction. So we get asked often to table at different events. So there's different run walks and

in this area that might be a particular type of cancer or a particular type of support that they're doing a run walk or an event for and they'll ask Cancer Bridges to come as a resource to anyone that's attending so that people know about us because they know the same about us. They're doing something, they have it figured out, and they know the same thing about us. So, you know, we have speaking opportunities and we bring all kinds of cancer organizations in for education. So, in particular, you know,

resources within the hospitals often will say we have members that want to learn more at the beginning of this year. They want to know more about sun care in summer and making sure that they were using the right SPF and things like that. So we developed a whole program around it. We brought in a bunch of different cancer related, you know, specialists and things to come in and speak to the members so they had that information. So lots of ways.

Everything Cancer (26:16)
Yeah, that's amazing. how kind of segue into that, how do you interact or what kind of support do you find from local community organizations and businesses?

Stephanie Ciranni (26:29)
sure. Yeah. Great question. We work with, geez, we are so lucky. We have wonderful organizations in this community that provide support to us. So I think the biggest way that we interact is probably through our fundraising. So we have lots of different restaurants and organizations in this area that and beyond that will that want to give back. And so we will work with them to do like a give back dinner

Everything Cancer (26:45)
Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Ciranni (26:58)
they'll sponsor our events or we have a big local flavor event in September that we bring in local vendors. And we've got all these different vendors that are here in the area and they can give samples of their product, but they can also sell. So we collaborate in that way. yeah, we really kind of the same as the cancer support organizations as well. If there's a resource, even if it's not cancer related that we can provide to our members, we will do that. The food bank or places like that, that there might be a need that

Everything Cancer (27:24)
Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Ciranni (27:28)
We do have an insurer liquid nutrition food bank here, but if they're looking for additional support, why would we start a food pantry? This is Pittsburgh, we have all these wonderful things. So we really interact them. And then we also invite them to participate in a lot of our programs. So for example, the camp that I talked about,

Everything Cancer (27:35)
Right. Right.

Stephanie Ciranni (27:47)
the zoo here, we had Heinz History Center here, we have the Science Center here, and our Celebration of Courage event in the fall will have photographers that will come and take pictures, and the Maths Makerspace team, we have a Maths Makerspace here, their team will come and offer a program to our family and youth members for that event. And so, I bet you we interact with the community organizations, different ones every single day, multiple times a day, so.

Everything Cancer (27:49)
Aww.

That's great.

Hahaha

Do you find other support organizations from across the country wanting to come and see how Cancer Bridges is run? You have such a rich program.

Stephanie Ciranni (28:26)
Thank you. We do. we also we get a lot of questions about that, which we're happy to and we're happy to collaborate and talk about that. But we've also partnered with other organizations because the powerhouse of two coming together and doing a presentation. So the gathering place in Ohio is an amazing partner to us. And we've worked with them on different programs in the past so that all of our members and both organizations get to have access to, say, an incredible speaker or something like that. So and I've

Everything Cancer (28:33)
Mm -hmm.

Yes.

Yes.

Stephanie Ciranni (28:56)
on many of those organizations as we look to do different programs here or expand X, Y, and Z or how did you start doing X and for the most part executive director to executive director or program team to program team we're all trying to just help the cancer community so most people are more than happy to have a conversation. Yeah. my gosh, absolutely and everybody's on the same page about that so yeah otherwise what are we doing?

Everything Cancer (29:17)
Right. You're there to make a difference. Right. Well, and you're right. mean, why reinvent the wheel? Why spend that extra energy? Because it's hard enough as it is. You're doing so many amazing things. What is your future vision, say, for cancer bridges or cancer support organizations in general?

Stephanie Ciranni (29:30)
Yes.

Sure. Well, here at Cancer Bridges, we actually were on a fiscal year. So we just started kind of restart the clock July 1. And with this new fiscal year actually came our brand new strategic plan. So we developed a great path moving forward for the next three years. We do sort of a four pillar strategic plan, which is our people, our members, our programs, and our revenue. And so within each of those categories, have some plans and schemes

different things that we're going to do, but we're going to make sure that we have priority projects coming up so the staff, internal staff that's involved with the strategic plan here meets once a month so that we can review progress and next steps for different categories. But we're really working to develop support for some of the underserved areas of the population that are either already coming to cancer bridges or need access to the support that we offer here. We're restructuring our family and youth program calendar

to be a little bit more robust and equal for both the emotional support and then the social and physical support. So we've added staff members to provide that and then expanding our current referral list. So just some different projects and then of course our revenue. So we're a 501c3. Everything that we offer is free to the community. do not

have state or federal funding, we don't accept insurance. So we basically have three pillars of revenue, which is individual giving, fundraisers, and grants. So we're trying to enhance that support, financial support, so we can keep doing what we're doing here. so Meg, our development director, has some great plans in place for different ideas that we're gonna incorporate over the next few years for that. So that's sort of our guide moving forward, and that's the vision that I see. I'll be honest with you between

Everything Cancer (31:25)
Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Ciranni (31:40)
COVID leadership change here, which was me, me coming into the organization and the merger. We have worked so hard the last couple of years and at times it's been very overwhelming. mean, people need us and we will not.

stop giving everybody what they need. And so now we're finally feeling like we're in a place that we have a rhythm going. So part of me kind of wants to keep the momentum going with the strategic plan, of course, and move things forward. But everybody is also ready for a little bit of, you know, buckling down at what we do best and hoping that there's no more pandemics and no more crazy. Because we've certainly, we have certainly changed so much over the last few years. So, you know, we've

Everything Cancer (32:18)
Yeah.

Stephanie Ciranni (32:25)
increased our technology here so that we can be online as well as in person. We're out in the community. We do programs at different hospitals and different community centers. So, you know, we have a lot going on already. So the strategic plan is our path forward and we're just going to keep working on that with our pillars in mind.

Everything Cancer (32:46)
What? I love it. I love it. And I agree. It's I mean, I've watched a lot of this and it you do deserve been a part of it. You do deserve a big deep breath. All of us do. You have so much to I know and I and maybe members of our audience don't realize many of the people that are in the support group I facilitate are survivors that are seven and eight years, nine years out.

Stephanie Ciranni (32:48)
You've been a part of it, Jill. You got it. Yes, yes, yes.

Everything Cancer (33:15)
And so people have a tendency to stay. so I think, could you explain what value you think this brings to the continuum of survivorship?

Stephanie Ciranni (33:17)
Yes.

Yeah, well, the reality is that often the experience with cancer changes. And so we have a member that has been here, I believe since the beginning, probably 18 years she's been a member because she's had three recurrences of cancer.

So she started with us when she had her first diagnosis and then she moved into survivorship and might have changed some of the programs that she was participating in. And then she was re -diagnosed and joined different groups and so...

Membership here has absolutely no limit and then you could also be a caretaker who then becomes bereaved. Those could be two different groups of support that you need and you can get both at Cancer Bridges. so having that full circle support is such, you know, don't want to say you can be a member and yes, everything is free,

you are only with us for six months because after six months and you kind of ship them out and then they don't have the support system that they've grown to require and need and benefit from. I just, yeah, the relationship to cancer, the journey, the cancer journey itself can be so fickle.

Having that type of continuum of care through the many different aspects of the journey is very important to us. We've continued to add and that's how we become provider of the breadth of services that we do because we recognize a need and we develop programming to meet it.

Everything Cancer (34:42)
yeah.

That's so obvious to me just from my interactions and just from, mean, my gosh, that person, three recurrences, but imagine the support she's received through those recurrences, but then the support she can give to other people that are going through that. That is amazing. If she chooses to do so, yeah.

Stephanie Ciranni (35:17)
Yes, absolutely.

Yes. Absolutely. and she definitely does. We consider her, she's an extension of staff as most of our members are. But yeah, it's, you know, we've, I've seen that's a lot of that, the transformation question that you asked earlier, that's, and a lot of that that I see as well is, is the change

their relationship to cancer in their time here. And then sometimes there's absolutely no expectation that this happened, but often someone is maybe is ready to not be a part of a certain group anymore, but they just don't want to leave. So they start volunteering at the front desk and then they're the welcoming face. Can you imagine a member coming in when they're, they could be in crisis. They could be, you know, they could be needing support in that moment. Like the member I

Everything Cancer (35:55)
Mm -hmm.

Stephanie Ciranni (36:05)
you know, crying in our lobby the other day and they're someone who has experienced it. So when I say we're really a community space here, I mean it. Yeah. Yeah. No, we love having you. You know, we do.

Everything Cancer (36:13)
Yeah, I gather that I'm looking forward to becoming more involved. It. Yeah, I just I love being there and it it means a lot to me. It really does. thanks, Stephanie. Is there anything you haven't had an opportunity to share yet that you would like to?

Stephanie Ciranni (36:27)
See me in a while, guys. Yeah.

I just, know, anyone that wants to hear more information, I'm happy to share. We support the entire state of Pennsylvania and because of the breadth of services that we offer.

You know, there's usually something for everyone. So I'm happy to continue as needed. Maybe you can share my contact information, but I'm just very thankful to you and letting us continue to spread the word. Like I said, we've been around for three years and there's no shortage of need here in the area, but we know there's still lots of people that don't know about us. So, you know, if you know someone, your friend, yourself, your friends, your neighbors, you know, spread the word and we're happy to support.

Everything Cancer (36:53)
Yes.

And anyone outside the state of Pennsylvania, I encourage you to look online for your local cancer support organization and at least call them and talk with them and see how to become, you know, just to dip your toe in. Don't don't go this alone or go to cancercare .org because they do entirely online nationwide and they have oncology.

clinical social workers that can help you out there and give you guidance and they have groups for any type of needs you may have. They have groups established for that. I'll have that link in this too. you are an amazing organ, Stephanie, all of you have done something amazing at Cancer Bridges. You're welcome. Thank you for your time and being

Stephanie Ciranni (37:59)
Thanks. Thank you. Thank you so much. Absolutely appreciate you, Joe. Thanks.

Everything Cancer (38:06)
Thank you.