Stewart's Caring Place Volunteer Offers More Than Her Time

Joan Goson was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, but she doesn't call it a battle, she calls it a journey.

Her journey led her to where she volunteers several times a week and sits in on breast cancer support group sessions. Stewart's provides a variety of free non-medical services for people and families affected by cancer.

"It was a different kind of journey for me," Goson said. "After I started feeling better (from radiation), I heard about this place and thought I would like to volunteer here."

Goson, 72, has been a survivor for almost two years and she uses her experience in the group therapy to help others.

"I love it and I love talking to people," Goson said. "And since I'm a survivor I have more empathy because I realize what they've gone through. Hopefully I can answer their questions and be strength for them."

Goson said she wished she knew about Stewart's when she started her journey, but her strong faith led her through the dark times.

"I have a wonderful personal relationship with Jesus," Goson smiled as she started to cry. "That's what got me through. I knew he was going to take care of me, and he has."

Goson also volunteers her time at the American Red Cross, where she fields calls.

"I like to help people," Goson said. "It makes me feel good and it makes my heart feel good. There's just something about it."

When Goson's friend Judy Hrdlicka found out she had breast cancer for the second time, she urged her best friend to head to Stewart's for support.

"Judy is very independent and wouldn't have come otherwise," Goson said. "When she found out she had cancer again, she was upset but we tried to make the best of it."

Goson and Hrdlicka have been friends for 20 years.

"When I first battled cancer, Stewart's wasn't there," Hrdlicka said. "This time around she brought it up and said I should go. I went as a favor to her. I've met some very lovely people."

Hrdlicka, of Bath Township, goes to treatment every three weeks and has a strong support system in her family, and also in Goson.

"She has a lot of time to donate," Hrdlicka said. "She loves it. She's a very warm, sweet, compassionate lady. I can't say enough good things about her."

Hrdlicka added, "We all have cancer stories, and some are a little more complicated than others, but it's important that everyone owns their story and they fight their own battle with it. Joan's doing that."

In looking to the future, Goson says she knows the cancer is still inside her somewhere and she has accepted that it could come back.

"But it doesn't do any good to worry," she smiled. "Because I know I'll have the same outcome. When you plant little seeds (with Jesus) along the way, it makes a big difference."