HIGH POINT — Oncologist Dr. Bernard Chinnasami is a man on a mission. For more than 20 years he has been treating cancer patients, witnessing their struggles as they try to comprehend their diagnosis and treatment plan. He has made it his life's work to accompany people with cancer on their journey, helping them to become equipped with the knowledge they need to navigate their days ahead, but also to put things into a faith perspective.
To that end, Chinnasami, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, created Cancer Guide Posts of Strength, an interactive website that gives "directions for the journey" for newly diagnosed cancer patients, their friends and family. Information from trusted experts, cancer guides and volunteer mentors, as well as "Intersections," a regular educational program, can all be found in one location on the Cancer GPS website, www.cancergps.org.
In addition to all of the free practical information, an integral part of the Cancer GPS mission is to address the importance that spirituality plays in a cancer patient's journey.
"I've been doing this for over 20 years now, and what has always surprised me is how much people are not in touch with their faith and God Himself, and the questions they ask," Chinnasami says. "I think doctors, especially, and other healthcare professionals are not well-trained to answer the questions. Once there is a diagnosis of cancer, somebody questions their mortality. I think this comes to the forefront very quickly for almost everybody."
Chinnasami sees this moment as special. "When these questions suddenly come up, it became evident to me that this is an opportunity to explore our faith and to realize how amazing our faith is, in terms of helping us get through tough times.
"There's nothing like a diagnosis of cancer to bring someone close to God quickly."
Oblate Father Vince Smith, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, is featured in a video for Cancer GPS, answering some of people's typical questions about God and their faith when they are confronted with a cancer diagnosis.
"We've had many discussions and we've actually worked with many patients together," Chinnasami says of his work with Father Smith, helping patients to navigate what is often a complicated physical and spiritual journey.
People have asked Chinnasami how he keeps such a good attitude while caring for the sick and sometimes dying.
"I've always realized that it is my faith that has gotten me through," he replies. "We always say we need to do our part and place our trust in God. That is from a perspective of knowing that we are all human and this is what we can do. Also, we must have the humility to place our trust in Him. That gets us through the difficult questions when patients ask, 'Why me' or 'Why my child'?"
Beyond the necessarily personal interactions between patient and doctor, or between parishioner and priest, Chinnasami sees the Cancer GPS website as filling a need.
"Sometimes these questions come up at 2 a.m., when you don't have someone to go and talk to. So that is why we thought we would do the video, too, and place it online so it can be a friendly reminder as to how rich our faith is and how forgiving our God is," he says.
And, he adds, "I think this also opens the door for them to realize that they can go back. I think it gives the people who get through this a much better understanding and value of their faith, rather than taking it for granted. I look at cancer as an opportunity to reintroduce people to their faith. During such a difficult time, that is what gets most of us through.
"That is how I envision it. Not to tell them what to do, but to reintroduce them to their God."
Spiritual health is just as important in a person's overall well-being, Chinnasami says.
"Almost everybody feels good about talking to somebody who feels it's not just medicine alone. I look at it as part of the overall care. Cancer care is so multidisciplinary – it takes so many physicians, dieticians, psychologists. But the very prime person is also your spiritual counselor.
"We want them to know we are not trying to split their bodies and spirits into two different components completely, but to treat them as a whole."
Another goal of Cancer GPS is to help churches connect with these resources for parishioners who are facing a cancer diagnosis. Many parishes already have cancer support groups or prayer groups dedicated to praying for those effected by the disease.
"Part of the goal is to try to dial up the churches who already have outreach, and we can come help set up and link in to the parishes. Cancer GPS speaks beautifully about our faith. It ties in everything else. This is a great way for us to reintroduce people, to show this is very much part of our faith in terms of how we take care of ourselves."
Chinnasami says he has witnessed firsthand that patients who embrace their faith see a huge difference in how they approach their overall lives.
"First, it makes them realize who really is in charge. More importantly, the peace they find with the end, whether they survive or whether they don't survive, to realize it is all a part of the amazing journey for us to be able to give everything we can. I think it brings them a great sense of peace."
Chinnasami hopes to help as many people and parishes as possible to connect with Cancer GPS resources so that he can help them put all the components of cancer care under one umbrella on the local level.
"I'd love for them to contact us directly. We can be a super resource for them. I think people will feel safer to have professionals helping them, but at the same time being able to provide it in a kind, great way at a local place.
"They don't have to do things alone. There is plenty of expertise for all of us to share and help each other," he says.
Chinnasami hopes the Cancer GPS outreach will also help people of all ages grow in their faith and see just how powerful prayer is.
"I think this is a way we can help share experiences to bridge the gap between the healthy and the sick, the young and old, the rich and poor. Cancer knows no boundaries, unfortunately. I think that this is a great way to help bring people together under adversity to explore all of these things together."
His own faith journey has been impacted through his work treating cancer patients, Chinnasami notes.
"I have always grown up like this. I have always felt that I will do my part and do everything to the best of my ability and put all my trust in Him. Things have an amazing way of working out. Not always the way I want it to work out. But I can see how He meant it to work out as things unfolded. We always want everyone to be cured, obviously, but unfortunately this is not a disease where we have reached that stage yet. I can see the beauty of families coming together. I can see the transformation in people – how amazing that is!"
"What I have learned very nicely is that humility is learning that in healing, God has His own plans for each one of us. We have to have the humility to be able to accept it."
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter