PROGRAMS
When you are living with a rare disease like appendix cancer/PMP, you can feel isolated and alone. Few people around you really understand what you are going through. That’s why PMP Pals offers several programs to connect patients and caregivers. Together, we support each other and build the emotional resilience you need to meet the challenges of this rare disease.
Click on the links below to learn more and join in. And, caregivers, these programs are not just for patients — they are for you, too! A boost of peer support may be just what you need to get through a tough day.
HOPE ZOOM | LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE
Every week, patients and caregivers meet through Zoom to encourage each other and talk about topics of interest like treatments, nutrition, and strategies to handle the emotional stress of the disease. Peer-to-peer support is vital to navigating successfully the unknowns and nuanced landscape of appendix cancer.
Once a quarter, we invite a leading medical specialist to present on a current topic of interest. PMP Pals moderates the meetings which are open to patients, caregivers, friends, family, and the medical community.
GET WELL + MORE CARDS
This is our oldest and most popular program. Sign up to receive cards when you are facing surgery or another challenging situation. Or, participate as a card writer and send a message of encouragement to another Pal.
ONLINE COMMUNITY
PMP Pals collaborates with partner ACPMP to sponsor the Facebook Appendix Cancer Support Group — a private, lightly-moderated forum with nearly 6,000 followers who share patient & caregiver experiences with each other. PMP Pals also has a private Facebook Pals Group for those regularly attending HOPE Zoom meetings.
BARE BOTTOM BEARS
We will send you a cute little bear by mail, appropriately dressed for the hospital, as you head for surgery or other challenging treatment. This classic teddy bear spreads joy and makes a hospital gown worthy of a smile!
BARAD'S BLANKETS
We’re partnering with Barad & Co. to send Pals worldwide a gesture of comfort. Receive a complimentary, cozy, plush blanket by mail, as you head into (or home from) surgery or other challenging treatment. Barad’s Blankets symbolizes what we want every Pal to know: no matter what you are going through, you are not alone.
MENTORS
Though many Pals love the group support and wisdom shared in Zoom meetings, others prefer more private, one-on-one conversations. Our mentor program connects you to another patient or caregiver volunteer to help answer questions, share experiences, and listen to your concerns.
VOLUNTEER
Have a special skill or expertise in fundraising, communications, marketing, counseling, or accounting? Maybe you’d like to serve on a committee or co-host a HOPE Zoom meeting? Reach out and let us know how you can help and we’ll put your skills and passion to work for our community.
INFO@PMPPALS.NET
Have a question about PMP Pals, appendix cancer, PMP, or peritoneal surface malignancies? Need to talk someone who understands? Send us an email, and we’ll get back to you. We’ll use our years of experience helping patients and caregivers and working with supportive specialists to find an answer for you. Of course, we cannot provide medical advice, but we can help you find medical providers who know about this disease. And, we can share the patient or caregiver perspective on matters like preparing for a hospital stay, getting through chemo, or post-surgery recovery.
SOCIAL MEDIA
On our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn social channels, we share weekly news including upcoming HOPE ZOOM meetings; invitations to special guest & physician presentations; articles on treatments, medical advancements, and mental health; and blog posts that bolster the patient and caregiver experience.
You can also subscribe to our YouTube Page for videos about appendix cancer and PMP.