Peer Support in Patient Organizations – What It Is and Why It Matters
Peer support is a vital service offered by many patient organizations, including NET-kreftforeningen CarciNor. It connects individuals affected by illness with trained volunteers who have lived experience with the same or similar diagnosis. These “peers” offer emotional support, practical advice, and a unique sense of understanding that can be difficult to find elsewhere.
This support is often provided through phone calls, one-on-one conversations, group meetings, or online forums. Because peer supporters have faced many of the same challenges themselves, they can offer genuine empathy, encouragement, and hope in a way that complements professional healthcare.
Peer support is important because it helps reduce feelings of isolation, increases coping skills, and empowers people to take an active role in their own health journey. It also provides a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and process difficult emotions. For many patients and their families, meeting someone who truly “gets it” can be both comforting and life-changing.
Regular gatherings for peer supporters are essential to ensure quality, motivation, and well-being in their important work. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange advice with others who understand the unique role of being a peer supporter. It helps build a sense of community, strengthens skills through training and reflection, and offers much-needed debriefing and emotional support. By coming together, peer supporters not only grow in their roles - they also help maintain a strong, sustainable support network for the benefit of all members.
Who is a Peer Supporter?
A peer supporter is not a healthcare professional, but a qualified layperson who can offer care and practical guidance. A peer supporter in NET-kreftforeningen CarciNor has personal experience living with neuroendocrine cancer - either as a patient or a relative (we also have peer supporters who are bereaved family members). All our peer supporters have completed a training course to become certified, are bound by confidentiality, and regularly attend seminars for continued education.
Peer support for people with neuroendocrine cancer and their families is an important part of CarciNor’s mission. This work is based on CarciNor’s statutes and is carried out on a voluntary, unpaid basis - either one-on-one or in group settings.
In our member magazine (NETverket) and here on our website, you can find an overview and contact information for our peer supporters.
