IU Health’s Simon Cancer Center staff working to raise spirits, spread holiday cheer
INDIANAPOLIS Ind. (WISH) – The staff at IU Health’s Simon Cancer Center are trying their best to make the holidays special for patients. And a little cheer can go a long way especially for one newly-admitted patient.
Chris Newman-Jacobs went in for a routine blood work on Friday. Later that evening, doctors called to tell her she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Since then everything has changed.
She was rushed to the hospital to start chemotherapy right away. Chris has been on medication for a few days already when 24-Hour News 8 talked to her Wednesday. She also says she had plans to head to Pennsylvania for the holidays but now she can’t, things have changed for treatment. Chris says the time in the cancer center has already been amazing because of the staff. Chris’ nurse Sierra says the staff at IU’s Health Simon Cancer Center do everything to make sure she is taken care of not only body but soul.
“We kind of dress up, so usually this week we have a spirit week,” said Sierra. “So we wear Christmas sweaters and sing carols and we have Santa come around and take pictures with the patients and we give gifts. We’re going to get stockings for our patients and just to bring some Christmas spirit to their lives.”
“They are doing everything they can to not only support me, but to support my husband and our kids,” said Newman- Jacobs. “I sense the same kind of passion for the patients with the doctors and the nurses and the techs here. They got our back, they care about us not just as cancer patients but as Chris.”
A few events are planned for Christmas day including a Wig Bank event, Yoga Therapy and guided meditation classes. Those are part of the IU Cancer Resource Center which just celebrated its one year anniversary. That center is not just for IU Cancer Patients but anyone struggling with cancer can show up for some help.