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Elena Robertson knows she received a vision from God. In 2005, Robertson, the co-pastor of Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, saw a need to support women affected by cancer.

In response, Robertson and the Women’s Ministry at her North Chesterfield, Va. church founded Just Support, a ministry designated for survivors and their families. Each fellowship gives them an opportunity to discuss emotions often felt after a cancer diagnosis, such as fear, anger or guilt. The dialogue ends with prayer.

“We share the Word of God as it relates to these issues, and we deal with these feelings in a real and practical way,” explains Areta Johnson, a church member who oversees Just Support. “We know that God is a healer and through His stripes we are healed.”

Johnson, now a 20-year breast cancer survivor, leads Just Support with a team of women impacted by cancer, either through their own diagnosis or a loved one’s diagnosis. Just Support volunteers share their personal testimonies, along with information about cancer and treatment options.

“Hetal Vachhani, M.D. and her team at VCU Massey Cancer Center at Stony Point are so kind and considerate every time I go in,” says Gloria Crenshaw, who is in active treatment. “I give God glory for how He allowed Vachhani to put the combination of drugs together to remove the cancer from my body.”

Like Crenshaw, about 40% of Just Support participants have received or currently receive care at Massey. In the past, Johnson also gave her time at Massey to present the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Look Good Feel Better program, which helps patients manage appearance-related side effects of treatment with beauty techniques.

Similarly, Just Support offers beauty and makeover fellowships called Beauty for Ashes; they focus on self-image during a cancer journey.

“These fellowships involve getting our eyebrows done, giving and styling wigs, making signature head wraps and donating them to the survivors, hand spa treatments and live makeovers with a makeup artist,” says Johnson. “We usually end up with a mini fashion show.”

Other fellowships include body, soul and spirit fitness; healthy eating habits for cancer prevention; and the ACS’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks.

Just Support provides transportation to treatment appointments, including at Massey. Patients and their families also receive meals and encouragement.

“Sometimes just a listening ear is all you need, and Just Support is here,” says Johnson.

Written by: Amy Lacey