How to Find Out Who Your Friends Are

Posted May 15th, 2018

There’s an old adage that when going through tough times you find out who your friends are. I always inferred it to mean that challenges reveal who in our lives deserves to be called a Friend, as if we are Santa Claus drawing up a Naughty and Nice Friend list. Let’s see: I bumped into […]


The Power of Friendship

Posted January 17th, 2018

Over the past several months, I’ve been supporting a dear friend through his cancer diagnosis, appointments, treatment decisions and planning, and adjustment to life with cancer. This is not new territory for me; I’ve been an oncology social worker for many years, and I’ve walked this path with many patients and their families along the […]


Bob Riter

Don’t Give Advice to Friends with Cancer

Posted July 18th, 2014

People often call me and say, “My friend was just diagnosed with cancer. What can I do to help her?” My answer is simple: Be present and don’t give advice.