SARASOTA – “Before this happened we just had really started kicking off. People coming in and putting events on,” said Tony McEachern.
McEachern, co-founder of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation, has been helping provide cancer fighters one on one support by pairing them with a cancer survivor or caregiver, but due to the global health pandemic he says the non-profit has had to take a step back for the safety of the staff but most importantly those currently receiving cancer treatments.
“We’ve been able to really stay in touch with our community so to speak,” said McEachern. “We don’t have that physical – being in touch, which is important to us, that’s important to people especially going through cancer”
McEachern, a 17-year brain cancer survivor, is the only personnel to still come into the office while the rest of the staff work from home. Though his cancer connection center is closed to the public, Team Tony has switched to an online approach to still be there for patients during these tough times.
McEachern says with some cancer patients having a lower immune system due to their treatments he didn’t want to take the risk and put their health in jeopardy.
“We try to work with them as much as we can and be that ear like we always are and put more effort into doing it, McEachern. “We go 100% anyway, but now we’re going 110% to be there to listen to people.”
McEachern says other concerns cancer patients are facing is having to put their treatments on hold.
“I spoke to a gentleman this morning, who I’m matched with. He’s just really freaked out, he needs to have neurosurgery and he’s just freaked out about it,” he said.
However, McEachern says Team Tony will be there to provide support, help out in anyway they can, and simply be there during a time of self-isolation.
McEachern says though their doors may be closed anyone battling cancer alone is still encouraged to reach out.
The Team Tony Cancer Connection Center is located at 3562 S Osprey Ave Suite C, Sarasota, FL 34239. For more information on the various programs for cancer patients visit teamtony.org
