August 2024 Newsletter

Register for Classes & Support Groups

All classes and support groups are?FREE?for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Check out our?website?for current programs.

A Note From the Executive Director

Sharing Sponsorship Love

I appreciate having this forum as it allows me to emphasize one of my favorite sentiments, gratitude.

When it comes to our donors, grantors and corporate sponsors, I have bundles of gratitude to go all around and this month, I’m going to use this space to share our appreciation of our wonderful and generous sponsors.

Sponsors at Cancer Lifeline fulfill a vital role in our fundraising process, providing us with the resources to underwrite the costs of our fundraising campaigns completely, so that when we reach out to our community for contributions, all donor dollars go towards fulfilling our mission.

This year has been tough for corporate sponsorships. A “51st anniversary year”, doesn’t quite have the same ‘ring’ to it as a 50th anniversary, so we find ourselves falling a bit short this year which makes the following corporate sponsors that much more special for sticking with us in a less notable year.?

These sponsors appreciate the value of the programming and financial assistance Cancer Lifeline has on the lives of so many in our community.?It is an honor to be partnered for good with our sponsors and on behalf of the staff at Cancer Lifeline, and all the people impacted by a cancer diagnosis that we serve each year, a heartfelt thank you to a marvelous bunch. We couldn’t do all that we do for the community without the support of these sponsors:

If you or the company you work with would be interested in becoming partnered with Cancer Lifeline as a sponsor, please contact me at [email protected].

Monthly Blog: Cancer & Body Image

Cancer is a life-altering diagnosis that affects not only physical health but also emotional and psychological well-being. One of the often-overlooked aspects of cancer's impact is on body image. As patients navigate through surgery, treatments and beyond, their relationship with their bodies can shift over time and undergo significant changes. We’ll explore the multifaceted nature of body image issues that some people living with cancer face and offer insights, tools and possible coping strategies. Read More.

A Client's Story

In 2023, Kristina was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Breast Cancer (Triple Negative) and finished her treatment 6 months later which showed a complete response to treatment, meaning no evidence of disease. This made her feel so relieved and grateful for the amazing care she received at EvergreenHealth.

When she was in treatment she felt like it was a job that she took very seriously. What surprised her was how she felt after treatment ended. The joy and elation after finishing treatment didn’t last very long. It bothered her that that she wasn’t being positive and grateful. Logically she knew we all live with uncertainty, so she didn't understand why she was so worried and anxious all the time.

It wasn’t until after she finished with treatment that she began to explore the programs offered through Cancer Lifeline. In hindsight she wishes she had been involved with a support group during treatment but at the time, it didn’t feel right to her. Now that treatment is over she's been focusing on eating nutritious food and exercising, and is learning so much from the nutrition and exercise classes she's taking. Her anxious and worried feelings are dissipating more and more each day thanks to the good information, support & community she's found here along with her care team. She finds it helpful and truly inspiring to be with others who have been diagnosed with cancer, because she feels heard and understood, all without judgement. She was immediately struck at the comfort of being with others who have a shared experiences, even though everyone's experiences are all unique. She wishes everyone ease in all of their journeys and wanted to leave us with this quote from John O’Donohue that makes her feel inspired:

“May I have the courage today

To live the life I would love

To postpone my dream no longer

But do at last what I came here for

And waste my heart on fear no more.”

Read Kristina's full story as well as others by clicking here. Interested in sharing your story with others? Learn more here.

Get to Know Board of Directors Member Katie

What sparked your interest in joining Cancer Lifeline’s Board of Directors?

I attended several Cancer Lifeline events.?

The energy and the commitment of the people involved with the organization was so inspiring.???Joseph reached out to me after seeing me at these events and invited me to come to the Dorothy O’Brien center and learn more about the organization and the board.?After learning about the positive impacts that Cancer Lifeline has on the lives of people dealing with cancer, I was very eager to be a part of it.

How has your life been affected by Cancer?

Like most people,?I have lost multiple people to cancer over the years.?On a more personal note, I was diagnosed with melanoma in my 30’s and with colon cancer at 49.

How long have you been volunteering with Cancer Lifeline as a Board Member and what is your role??

I have spent 6 years on the board at Cancer Lifeline.??I have been a part of Fundraising with Friends every year.?The last few years I have also been the board representative on the Resources for Hope planning committee.

What do you find most fulfilling about serving on the Board of Directors?

Being a part of the board has been an amazing experience.??The most fulfilling part of being on the board is seeing the impact that Cancer Lifeline has on the community that it serves.?

Being on the board during the height of the pandemic was very illuminating.?During a time of incredible stress on so many, I was blown away by the ingenuity and innovation demonstrated by the team at Cancer Lifeline.?They pivoted so quickly, converting so many services online.?They did not miss a beat.?It was really gratifying to see the team at Cancer Lifeline work so hard to ensure that their clients had the support they needed.

What do you see as the biggest needs cancer patients and caregivers have???

There are SO many needs it is hard to identify one.??The social support for patients and caregivers is SO important.?A cancer diagnosis can be so isolating and can make people feel so vulnerable.??Having a group of people to connect with is so helpful.?The thing that surprised me so much was the amount and variety of education that Cancer Lifeline provides- from cooking classes to movement classes and everything in between.?That education empowers patients and caregivers to take some of the control back in their lives.

Please tell us about your “Day Job”.

I work at Seattle Children’s Hospital.?I manage two different teams in the Cardiology department.?

Tell us something about yourself that you’d like to share in general.

I am very grateful that Joseph asked me to be on the board at Cancer Lifeline.?It has been a fantastic experience.

Join our exceptional board! We continuously welcome new members. Learn more here.

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Get to Know Volunteer Belle

Belle may be a familiar face to those in the Cancer Lifeline s she has openly shared her story during our 2023 Fundraising with Friends and Resources for Hope Fundraising Campaigns.

Belle was inspired to start volunteering on the Lifeline after realizing how much she could relate to people who have walked similar paths to her in her own cancer journey.?Even though she wondered if connecting with callers on that level and with so much empathy would overwhelm her, she decided that if it did, it was in the best possible way.?It ended up being the exact thing that pushed her to sign up to volunteer.?In her eyes, it was the obvious next stage in her own relationship with cancer.

When asked about the importance of the Lifeline to those experiencing cancer, she highlighted that what makes the Lifeline so special is the fact that Lifeline specialists know how to provide support in such a variety of ways. Because of this, they are able to apply customized support to the individual based on where they are at in the moment.?Not only does supporting others via the Lifeline provide something so valuable to the caller, it also allows space for learning about yourself, too. She recently shared with a Lifeline caller that as long as Cancer Lifeline is around, it will always be there for them when they're ready.?That's the whole point of Cancer Lifeline.?And I'm happy to say that they've always been there for me.

As a closing thought, Belle offered the following words of encouragement for those considering volunteering:

“Allow yourself the space to consider it.?Don't forget to consider your own self in the thought process.?Give yourself the grace to be alright with the timing of your "yes" decision.”

Interested in becoming a volunteer with us? Learn more about opportunities here.

Double Your Impact With Workplace Matching

Did you know that many workplaces offer donation matching programs? By participating in your company's donation matching program, you can double the impact of your contribution to Cancer Lifeline. Check with your employer today to see if they offer donation matching and help us make an even greater difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.