Oncology nurses are a big part of CancerCare Manitoba; they're there when you get screened, call once you're diagnosed and give you your treatment.
That's why Karen Braun is such a familiar face at CancerCare Manitoba.
Karen is there with cancer patients every step of the way; starting with their diagnosis -- through to their treatment and long-term follow-up.
And when things don't go as well, oncology nurses are there at the end of life.
"You will never be needed any place else as you are here," said Karen as she fought back tears.
Oncology nurses undergo specialized training to help patients and their families cope.
"Most days are pretty crazy and they're long but they're very rewarding," said fellow oncology nurse Erin Alfie.
"The nurses at CancerCare are the ones that often decide if it's urgent and you need to come in and see your doctor, or whether or not you're okay just to stay at home," said Erin. "If that's the case then we give them advice on how to manage and best treat their symptoms so that they're not ending up in emergency rooms."
And because they work so closely with their patients, they form close relationships with them.
Carol is a patient who said oncology nurses are an invaluable asset.
"If it wasn't for the caring of the nurses it would make everything else much more difficult," she said.
This month patients, doctors and other fellow nurses celebrated Oncology Nurses Day.
With a report from CTV's Maralee Caruso.
