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CANCER MINISTRY

God walks with us through all seasons of life.

Jeff Showalter was a devoted husband, dad, and pappy whose life reflected faith, compassion, and a heart for serving others. After being diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer in 2023, Jeff faced his 2+ year battle with unwavering faith and a passion to help others.

Before his passing, Jeff was instrumental in launching the Cancer Awareness Team (CAT) at Chesterfield Baptist Church in partnership with VCU Massey Cancer Center. His vision was to educate the community about the importance of early cancer detection, raise awareness, and remove barriers to lifesaving screenings.

Today, the mission of the Cancer Awareness Team is to honor the faith and legacy of Jeff Showalter by promoting early cancer detection through education and screening.

To carry out that mission, CAT launched RISEN - Resources, Information, Support, and Early Cancer Detection for our Neighbors. Through community outreach events, educational programs, partnerships, and cancer screening opportunities, RISEN seeks to equip our neighbors with the knowledge, support, and access they need to detect cancer early and save lives.

UPCOMING INITIATIVES

SUNDAYS AT 10:30 AM

This five-week holistic health sermon series at Chesterfield Baptist will explore God's desire for our physical, emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual wellbeing. Throughout the series,
we’ll honor cancer survivors and caregivers, remember those we’ve lost to
cancer, and talk about the ways God meets us and walks with us through some of
life’s most difficult seasons.

October 4

Physical Health with an emphasis on Prostate Cancer

October 11

Emotional Health with an emphasis on Breast Cancer

October 18

Mental Health with an emphasis on Brain Cancer

October 25

Relational Health

November 1

Spiritual Health with a memorial celebration of those who lost their cancer battle

RESOURCES, EDUCATION, AND EARLY DETECTION EVENTS

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WHAT TO SAY TO A CAREGIVER

Sometimes caregivers are so stressed and swimming in their new reality that it is hard to ask for help or know what to ask for. We hope you find the below suggestions on how to phrase your support and offerings of help.  Offering specifics gives caregivers permission "yes" to the offer without the stress of figuring our what they need..

  • Is your shed open? Is it okay if I take your trash out when I put mine at the curb?
  • I'm going to the recycling center. Can I pick up yours and take it with me?
  • I'm making lasagna on Sunday. I usually make extra. Do you like lasagna? Can I bring some by?
  • What do you need from ____? (Grocery store, Costco, drug store, etc.) I'm going that way; I might as well save you a trip.
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
  • Tell ______ we miss seeing him/her and hope to see him/her up and about soon.
  • Just a heads-up, my husband is planning to mow the lawn on Saturday. I hope it does not disturb your spouse/child/parent's rest. He wanted to know if he could do yours while he was at it.
  • We're taking the kids to the park on Saturday. Can we take yours with us?
  • I have some free time; can I pick up and do your laundry? I use ____ detergent, but if there is a particular type you use, give it to me with the laundry so it is done how you like it (this accounts for sensitivities and allergies).
  • I am free on Wednesday. Would you like me to stay with ______ so you can take a nap or get out for a few hours?

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO A CAREGIVER

  • "How much time do they think he has?"
  • "I bet the costs are eating you alive."
  • "Are you ok?" (Their loved ones have cancer - I assure you, they are NOT OK. They are dealing with caregiving, possibly still working, handling most if not all aspects of their lives AND their loved one's lives, probably lonely as any social life goes, and desperately trying to hold it ALL together while constantly reassessing. Add to it that they may be dealing with our own health issues.

  • Do not be offended if they do not follow advice such as “Have you tried ‘insert diet/fasting/supplements,’ I’ve seen success stories on Facebook (or other social media.)” They already have a team of every type of doctor figuring out treatment plan, and yes, they may research or propose what you are suggesting to our loved one and the care team. But if your suggested path is not pursued it is not a reflection of their thoughts on you or a purposeful affront to you. It is only that that is not the decision that was made
  • And please, while this may seem harsh, unless you are their child, do not lean on them. Their bandwidth is full. Find a different person to be your sounding board because they are overstretched, and most likely will not be able to be there for you in the way you need them to be.