SEBASTIAN — Dispelling myths about hospice care could mean longer lives and better days for cancer patients, according to a local chaplain set to speak at a community support group.
Chaplain Mac Burberry of the Visiting Nurse Association Hospice of Indian River County will be speaking to the Cancer Support Group at 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, in Christ the King church. He speaks of the ways early hospice involvement can help patients, with studies showing even both life expectancy and quality of life may be greater in those who enter care sooner.
“Those that come on to hospice care earlier, live longer than those who don’t and have a better quality of life,” Burberry said in a statement. “I’ll present evidence to help people understand that along with a power point presentation,” he said.
He plans to highlight the risks for cancer patients who delay hospice, backed by a PowerPoint presentation. The meeting is open to the public.
The Cancer Support Group meets on the third Friday of each month at Christ the King, located at 1301 Sebastian Blvd., just west of the North Indian River County Library. The building is wheelchair accessible.
Group facilitator Gayle Seifert described the sessions as a place for those affected by cancer — whether patients, family members, friends or caregivers — to share experiences, tips and advice in a supportive setting. Guest speakers appear every other month to provide insights on navigating the disease.
Burberry, who previously served as chaplain with Transitions Hospice in Illinois and Indiana, holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries, a master’s in education and a master of divinity in organizational leadership from Lincoln Christian University. Before his hospice work, he was executive director of Haitian Christian Outreach.
For more information, contact Seifert at 772-589-3479.
