October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time in which people come together to bring awareness and donate money and time to research foundations. Breast cancer, the second most common cancer in women, will infect about one in every eight women born in the United States. This past month  is one of the most renowned months in the year for its popularity. Though the annual efforts during October are nothing short of outstanding, many of the other cancer awareness months are unknown.

As November swings into full gear, white ribbons bring awareness to lung cancer, a zebra strip ribbon raises recognition for carcinoid cancer, a purple ribbon focuses on pancreatic cancer, and a periwinkle ribbon spotlights stomach cancer.

Lives are changed every single day as people receive the news of a diagnosis of cancer. According to Medical News Today, cancer is the second leading cause of death for Americans, following closely behind heart disease. There are currently 100 known forms of cancer. National Cancer Institute projected the most common cancers in 2016 to be breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer.

Cancer is unpredictable and entirely inexplicable. The disease itself has the capability to not only impact the body, but can also be overwhelming for family members and friends. Family identities, roles, and daily lives go through a strenuous change, as well as the strains the patient faces. Studies show that 20 to 30% of partners suffer from psychological impairment as an outcome of their spouse’s illness.

When patients hear of a positive test result, their initial thought is not one of optimism. However, with the comfort of support groups, the anxiety can turn to peace as they are surrounded by people in the same situation as them.

In October 2003, Juliet Weaver, a wife and mother of two, was informed that she had Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that starts in the lymphocytes cells. At the time, she was 33 with two kids, ages five and two. After getting her diagnosis, she recounted, “It was very shocking; nobody ever expects something like that. Even in a state of shock, I still had to push through and see doctors.”

Weaver went through eight rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation therapy. Today, she still goes every three to six months for a check up.

There are many groups that have the common goal of supporting patients, their families, and caregivers; they all strive to give sufficient thought and care to the individual and the families in their fight against cancer. Understandably, most support groups are not always filled with a rosy atmosphere. So, after Weaver endured her diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she started looking for a faith-based ministry to encourage those with cancer.

After struggling with cancer and looking at different support groups, Weaver came to the realization that there were many support groups for this disease at different hospitals, but there were few faith-based care groups. Upon this realization, she said, “I wanted to do something to reach out to others who had gone through what I had gone through. It was very important that it had a faith aspect as well. So, I met with the ministers of Johns Creek and talked about my ideas, and from that, Sweet Tea was born.”

Sweet Tea Ministry is, “a cancer support ministry geared toward helping individuals, families and caregivers cope with cancer.”

This ministry has been hosting events for nine years, inviting guests three to four times a year to uplift and inspire those with serious illnesses. Weaver said the purpose of Sweet Tea events is to ‘relax, inspire, and socialize’ with one another. There has been a vast collection of performers from comedians, artists, speakers, dancers, and singers. At the most recent event, the special guest speaker was Bill Shaw, a Hall of Fame retired pro-football player. While these occasions are faith-based, all are welcome.

“A great group leads Sweet Tea ministries; either they themselves have been affected by cancer, their children have gone through an illness, or they’re caregivers. All of us together try and plan the meetings, pray over the people coming, and host the events.”

This ministry has given families and patients a way to reach out to others in a different walk of life, surround oneself in a sanguine environment, and be in a completely loving environment.