A Message from Your AFA66 EAP
The Kari Halvorsen Project
Dear Fellow Flight Attendants,
Have you ever been diagnosed with breast cancer before? Neither had I until August 18, 1998.
My name is Tricia Thompson and I am a new EAP Peer Support Rep with AFA-CWA Council 66. This follows the “Get in the Pink” E-mail we just received and is in harmony with the same cause.
Due to the significant size of our membership, there exists an opportunity to create a support network for women diagnosed with breast cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, I am very passionate about being able to begin work on a project that will create a sisterhood of Flight Attendants supportive of one another. Through the process of identifying ourselves we will have this platform available to reach others.
I remember the feeling of not knowing where to turn or what to do after receiving my breast cancer diagnosis. I was a single mother to three children, and I had been a Flight Attendant for three years. I was not prepared for the changes in life a breast cancer diagnosis will bring. Since that time, I lost two Flight Attendant friends to breast cancer; Sheila Meyer in 2001 and Kari Halvorsen in 2009. In 2001, I walked the 3 day breast cancer walk in Boston, in honor of Sheila. Now, in 2012, I am working on what is to be called “The Kari Halvorsen Project”, in honor of Kari.
My goal is to create a list of resources to be made available to any Flight Attendant diagnosed with breast cancer. This is intended to diminish the initial feeling of helplessness and isolation following a breast cancer diagnosis. This list would be compiled from your input, and would be available to others from any EAP peer support representative.
Because most of us have the same insurance carrier, we would be using the same medical services. For this list, I am looking for recommendations for Doctors, Surgeons, Oncologists, Radiologists and Mammogram Centers, based on what you liked best about them relative to your experience. This is meant to be a stepping off point, not a rating system.
In addition, have you read any helpful books? Visited any helpful websites? Found a great scarf and wig boutique? Used any helpful products? Tried any holistic therapies?
I would also like to see a network of support available from one woman to another. If you are willing to assume a supportive role towards a fellow co-worker newly diagnosed, that information would also be made available to them through any EAP peer support representative, with your permission and at whatever level you are most comfortable with.
As an EAP rep, your confidentiality and anonymity of identity is strictly adhered to. If you wish to contribute but want to maintain your privacy, that will be honored.
My e-mail address is: hush.skylotus@gmail.com
My cell phone is: 602.295.5277
Sincerely and all my best,
Tricia Thompson
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Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program
FADAP's mission is to support a culture of safety which will be able to assist flight attendants in meeting their personal and professional goals through substance-abuse awareness, combined with self and peer referrals for assistance, and the implementation of a flight-attendant-specific recovery support system.
The advancement of the Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program has been endorsed by your flight attendant peers and managers from 25 carriers during a March 2009 "Return to the Cabin" Summit.
The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program began September 2010 with funding from the FAA.
The following statement of values under which FADAP operates was created by the FADAP Advisory Board (January 2011).
Value Statement
•Substance Use Disorders are preventable and treatable chronic illnesses
•Left unaddressed, we all pay the price in numerous ways
•FADAP is dedicated to preventing and reclaiming personal and economic loss
FADAP
Phone: 855-33-FADAP | 855-333-2327
Direct Line
202-355-6337
http://www.fadap.org
Are You Interested in Becoming an EAP/PS Committee Member?
AFA66 EAP is recruiting peer counselors. If you are interested in receiving valuable training and learning skills to help other Flight Attendants, contact Marcus Recarte, MEC Chairperson, at 480-966-1231 ext. 27 or eap@afa66.org for the next available training class.
AFA Council 66 Website www.afa66.org |
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