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Part of UNC Comprehensive Cancer Support Program

CHAPEL HILL, NC – Men who have become single fathers as a result of cancer now have a new resource in the Triangle.

UNC’s Comprehensive Cancer Support Program (CCSP) is starting a program tailored to their needs.

“We have been seeing more men who have lost their partners to cancer and who are now faced with raising children and all of the challenges that the process entails,” said Justin Yopp, PhD, the program’s coordinator.

“We put together a steering committee of single fathers who helped put a program together to address the issues that they are facing and make the most of their valuable time,” he added.

Karl Owen of Chapel Hill is raising his 12 year old daughter and 10 year old son as a single father after losing his wife, Susan Buchanan, to cancer in March. He worked with Dr. Yopp and the CCSP to help set the agenda for the group.

“I think that this group will be helpful to other fathers who, like me, have to take on roles that we haven’t traditionally had to play with our children, who have concerns about how our kids are doing and who can benefit from the input of others who are going through a common experience,” he said.

The once-a-month educational series and support program will begin on October 18, 2010 and will be held the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Carolina Pointe II, 3rd Floor. Carolina Pointe II is located at 6011 Farrington Road in Chapel Hill, at the intersection of I-40 and Highway 54. The group will be facilitated by Dr. Yopp and Donald Rosenstein, MD, CCSP’s director.

The series is free and open to any single father due to cancer, but registration is required. Fathers are welcomed to bring their children, who will be supervised in a separate room and provided pizza, drinks and activities.

For more information or to register, call Justin Yopp at (919) 445-5415.