The CINDY Program

When faced with the diagnosis of cancer there are many questions, emotions, choices, decisions and challenges that arise for the patient and their loved ones.

The Bertuch family experienced this first hand when their daughter, Cindy Rosencrans, was diagnosed with breast cancer. They also discovered the benefits of advanced planning and end-of-life care, when her disease was identified as incurable. To assure that opportunities are available for others from diagnosis to end-of-life, the CINDY Bertuch Rosencrans Life Expressions Program was created as part of Lynn Cancer Institute’s (LCI) support services. Regardless of the stage of the disease, each diagnosed person and their family has individual personal needs and wants for the present and future.

As an extension of the LCI support services, the CINDY Program meets the emotional, personal, educational and logistical needs of an individual and their family at all phases of diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on supporting the end-of-life process. The CINDY Program also offers the CLIMB® support group for children of cancer patients. The CLIMB program is a component of the Lynn Cancer Institute’s HUGS (Helping U Get Support) Program, which is a comprehensive effort to support children and teens whose parents have cancer. For more information about CLIMB, click here.

Care & Advanced Planning

Each patient needs to understand their possible future healthcare choices and assure they’re relayed to their support and medical system. The CINDY Program Social Worker assists with helping the patient explore and identify their personal healthcare wants, communicate their choices with their loved ones and medical team, and document the patient’s plans and wishes for care.

Implementing Resources

Though a diagnosis of cancer can be scary, patients are not alone at LCI. Multiple educational workshops, support groups, tools for advance directive decision making and additional resources are available for present and end-of-life care planning. The CINDY Program Social Worker assists patients in identifying resources they may benefit from and how to participate in them.

Navigating the System

Often decisions need to be made and patients don’t know which way to turn. When choices regarding treatment planning and end-of-life care arise they can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. The CINDY Program Social Worker assists patients in making decisions and preparing needed forms such as Healthcare Surrogacy (appointed adults who are identified to make decisions for patients when they can not) and Advance Directives.

Documenting Life Experiences

Cindy Rosencrans created a video to express her love and thoughts with the family she was leaving behind. Her legacy was left forever and remains a priceless gift for her loved ones.

Documenting life experiences can be a rewarding process for the patient and a lifetime keepsake for those close to them. The CINDY Program Social Worker will help patients capture the essence of their life and love for themselves and others through workshops, support groups and expressive projects.

Your Unique Needs

Every individual and family is different. The CINDY Program Social Worker helps patients identify their unique needs and receive support, including informing and supporting the children in the process, guidance for what is to come and assistance with the spouse’s and/or children’s emotional needs. The patient and Social Worker partner together to explore the challenges and needs of the family and make sure those needs get met throughout the phases of illness.

Services are delivered through:

  • Workshops / Training
  • Support groups
  • Linking to resources
  • Planning assistance
  • Education
  • Legacy work
  • Children’s support & counseling

For more information, please click here or call 561.955.5265.

CINDY PROGRAM SOCIAL WORKER female doctor ELSA RAYNOR, LCSW, CINDY Program Social Worker
Phone: 561.955.5265
Email: Eraynor@brrh.com