Whether it be in the middle of the afternoon or well after most people have gone to sleep, if Cheryl Schaefer hears her phone ring, she picks up.

Leading of the Butler Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group, she knows a simple conversation can go a long way in helping fellow members.

“I answer my phone 24/7,” said Schaefer, of Butler. “It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night. If they need to talk, I’m available. Because cancer has its own ways that it sort of hits you, and most people have a life.

“Most cancer patients don’t want their families to know exactly what they’re going through, because it’s hard on the families, as well as the patient — especially if they have children. So, they will wait until everybody’s in bed or everybody goes to school, then they have time to talk.”

Schaefer has had cancer six times herself. She’s been part of the support group since 1980.

“It’s a little trying,” she said. “I don’t want people to go through what I went through when I was having my treatments, because my husband worked in Hermitage, had to drive. It wasn’t like I had people who were close. I don’t have a lot of neighbors.

“I was basically on my own to get back and forth to treatments. I always took myself.”

Knowing how important a shoulder to lean on is, Schaefer’s there whenever she’s needed.

“I can call her any time I want to — and she always responds,” said Terri Such, one of the group’s newest members. “And I text her if I have a question. She’s really quick to respond to me.”

“It’s therapeutic to me to be able to help them,” Schaefer said. “I didn’t have that when I was going through it, and I don’t want somebody else not to have the things they need. I’ve had women call me, and they couldn’t afford the copays. They were going to stop treatment.

“It’s like, ‘No, you tell me what you need, and I’ll come up with the money to pay those copays.”

Schaefer has taken the initiative to do fundraisers to help those going through treatment. The money helps with necessities such as gas, groceries and utilities.

“You have LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and things, but those only work certain times of the year, and you have chemo or radiation all the time,” Schaefer said. “They needed help with those things, not just in the cold months. They needed help a lot.

“I decided, ‘Hey, we need to do something.”

The group will host Pink Night Out, a dinner at Highfield Hall on Oct. 14. The $13, presale only meal will consist of a stuffed chicken breast or pork chop, a baked potato, vegetables, a salad, a roll with butter and a dessert. The event also will have raffles and a 50/50.

On Oct. 18, the group will sell $5 shopping passes and raffle off $100 and $50 gift certificates at Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m.

The support group consists of around 80 members at this point and holds meetings from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Center Township.

“We share experiences a lot of the time when people start out with having the cancer,” Schaefer said. “Any kind of cancer is very similar. ... The treatments are relatively the same, and because of that, a lot of the time people have similar side effects.”

Schaefer pointed out some things that people who just began treatments might not be aware of — such as the fact that metal silverware gives food a metallic taste for those undergoing chemo and that Lemonheads enhance taste buds, which increases appetite.

“Cheryl’s been very helpful, letting me know (things with) different questions that I’ve had and guiding me where to go to get undergarments and stuff down in Cranberry,” Such said. “She’s explained to me why I should do my follow-up visits.”

Those who aren’t able to attend meetings regularly are kept in the loop.

“We sent out emails to them — or letters — and keep them updated on things that are going on,” Schaefer said. “They’re always free to call me and find out anything new that’s going on or if they need help.”

Every now and then, Schaefer organizes a different sort of activity to spice things up.

“I try to fit something fun in for the girls,” she explained. “It sort of breaks the monotony. When some of them are going through treatment, they just get frazzled — and that’s normal.

“For the October meeting, I’m having the meet at Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics. We’re going to hydro-dipped pumpkins.”

The group is always open to new members, Schaefer added.

“Anybody is welcome to come,” Schaefer said. “If they’re not able to drive themselves, they are more than welcome to bring someone with them. ... We’re very open. It’s a wonderful group. All of the ladies are more than willing to help each other.”

Such stressed the importance of camaraderie during difficult times.

“It’s really important to have support,” she said. “I knew people who had breast cancer and they didn’t seem to want to talk about. But it really does help when you have a group of people who will talk to you about their experience.

“They just help you through it.”