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CanCare is an interfaith volunteer cancer ministry that matches newly-diagnosed cancer patients and family members with trained cancer survivors and family members for one-on-one emotional support. 

These volunteers have survived and thrived with the same or similar cancer diagnosis and treatment.  They provide hope and encouragement.  CanCare volunteers become havens for patients and family members to speak with openly without feeling like they are overburdening their loved ones.  CanCare volunteers are people of faith serving as goodwill ambassadors to patients and families looking for support.

CanCare volunteers also visit cancer patients in most of our local hospitals.  Please visit with David Johnson, Ashford’s CanCare liaison, or our clergy staff for additional information.  You can also click on this link to CanCare www.cancare.org or call them directly at 713.461.0028.  All calls to CanCare are without fee or obligation and are confidential. David is available at 281-584-9699 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Here at Ashford, we’re blessed to have each other as family. And as a family, we have all experienced the sadness and stress of cancer. All of us probably know a person who has encountered cancer. It’s a frightening reality that one person in three will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.  And because many of us have experienced the uncertainty, fear, and numbness of dealing with cancer, Ashford believes that CanCare will provide a valuable service to friends and loved ones in our Ashford family.

CanCare, Inc. is a cancer support ministry with the mission to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.  Ashford has joined with CanCare to minister to anyone struggling with cancer.

CanCare trains cancer survivors and family members to provide one-on-one, long-term emotional support to cancer patients and their families.  CanCare volunteers are matched with patients according to type of cancer and treatment.

Since CanCare volunteers are cancer survivors, they can identify with the challenges of a cancer experience.  The unique relationships that are formed allow the patient to talk openly, share concerns and express fears without feeling like they are hurting or overburdening their loved ones. 

CanCare also recognizes that cancer is a family disease.  Every person in the family is affected when a family member has cancer.  CanCare helps family members cope with cancer and become part of the healing team.

Each CanCare volunteer attends an intensive 17-hour training session to learn more about cancer and the needs of patients and family members.  During this training, volunteers share their own cancer experience, learn to understand what cancer is and what it is not. 

They learn about different faith traditions and they sharpen their listening skills to better help others talk about their experiences and feel understood by someone who has been there and survived.  The training is interactive and includes presentations by a psychologist, oncologist, clergy, staff from community organizations, experienced CanCare volunteers and professional staff.

David Johnson will serve as our congregation’s primary liaison to CanCare. David has experienced the compassion and emotional support a CanCare volunteer provides to the cancer patient and the patient’s family. He along with our clergy staff can answer any questions you may about this cancer support ministry.

CanCare’s final training program for 2008 will be held the weekend of September 5-7.  If you are a cancer survivor of at least six months, or a caregiver of a survivor, and you’d like to do something positive with your cancer experience to help a patient or family member, contact CanCare at 713.461.0028.

CanCare volunteers are scheduled to regularly visit cancer patients and family members in 14 local hospitals, helping patients feel cared for beyond their medical needs.  During the visits, CanCare volunteers introduce themselves as cancer survivors and include information about CanCare’s unique services.

CanCare, along with Ashford, believes everyone should have every possible tool available to fight this frightening disease.  Along with powerful prayers and medical treatments, emotional support provided by CanCare volunteers can make a huge difference for individuals who may feel vulnerable and at times, overwhelmed by this daunting disease.

Please know that all calls to CanCare are confidential and are without fee or obligation.  For more information about CanCare’s services, or to become involved, call 713.461.0028 or visit them on the web at www.cancare.org. David Johnson is also available to answer questions or provide additional information about CanCare. He may be reached at 281-584-9699 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it