ProtonPals Patient Support Group
ProtonPals is a support and outreach organization for people considering proton therapy treatment, patients of the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center and their family members.
This group offers patients opportunities to meet and discuss proton treatment-related topics and form lasting friendships with those sharing similar experiences. Our goal is to provide patients with a community, and support and opportunities to connect with past and present proton therapy patients at MD Anderson.
By having this support system, those undergoing and completing treatment have a way to stay connected through their journey and be an encouragement to the newly diagnosed. Hearing personal experiences from those that have been there along with sharing similar experiences ease the anxieties and stressors that go along with cancer treatment. Forming friends that last a lifetime is part of what makes the ProtonPals group so special to so many.
Our ProtonPal Leaders
In 2006, after being patients at the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center, fellow patients created ProtonPals to offer support and guidance to newly diagnosed patients. The founders of this group were: John Barna Lloyd, Ben Capron, Joe Landry, Peter Taaffe, Dave Stevens and Drew Cox.
Our ProtonPal Leaders volunteer to attend weekly dinners and lunches with patients receiving treatment at the Proton Therapy Center. They help provide patients with their personal experiences of how the proton therapy treatment process works, things to do in Houston while here for treatment and the patient resources that are available.
Many of the ProtonPals have become lasting friends and remain in touch with other new patients even after their treatment.
2019-2020 ProtonPal Volunteers: Curtis Courington, Judy Johnston, Fred
Duncan, Judy Duncan, Sharon Livitz and Bob Livitz
Co-hosting the ProtonPals weekly events is our opportunity to pay back and to pay it forward.
Connect With Others
You don’t have to face cancer alone, even while social distancing. Learn how to connect with other cancer survivors and caregivers through myCancerConnection, our one-on-one cancer support community.
To be matched with someone based on diagnosis, treatment, or other related cancer experiences, use MyChart to request a match with a survivor or caregiver volunteer.
Looking to give support? Volunteers have an opportunity to share hope and caring with others because the best help often comes from someone who's been there. Support others by sharing experiences to provide hope as a trained phone volunteer.
MD Anderson in collaboration with Dan's House of Hope is hosting virtual programs for young adult patients and caregivers. Session will be held through Zoom.
Patient Videos
8 things I learned as a pediatric cancer caregiver
At age 2, Amanda Hack’s son, Sawyer, spent almost a full year undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma. She shares things that helped her navigate the journey.
Paying it forward after proton therapy treatment
"By being a co-leader of the ProtonPals patient support group, I am glad to help others in their journey with treatment and healing."
Two-time cancer survivor Jennifer Grant
"I kept going to swim meets on Saturdays with my kids in the Houston summer heat after a full week of treatment. I didn't miss out on life."
Cancer-free since 2011: Why I chose proton therapy
"With proton therapy radiation, doctors can control where it hits, unlike traditional radiation where it comes out through the other side of my body."
Medulloblastoma cancer survivor Owen Langston
"Owen’s age was a huge factor in determining what type of radiation we wanted to use. Proton therapy was so focused that it was the best solution to prevent long-term side effects."
Treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic
"MD Anderson's pathologists reviewed my biopsy and found that it showed more aggressive than we’d initially thought."