January 2024

Cancer Lifeline Support Groups & Classes

All classes and support groups are?FREE?for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Check out our?website?for online access instructions and current program listings.

The Importance of Exercise in Treatment & Recovery Jan 24, 5:30-6:30pm

Cancer Prevention & Nutrition Jan 26, 12:30-2pm

*In Person- Art Journaling for Self-Discovery Feb 3, 2-4pm

Coping with Cancer: Asking for & Accepting Help Feb 8, 9:30-10:30am

*In Person-Equine Support Workshop Feb 10, 10am-12pm

Register Today for Jan-April Classes & Support Groups

All classes and support groups are?FREE?for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Click here for a downloadable pdf of our current catalog.

?Check out our?website?for access instructions and current program listings.

A Note from Board President Annie Zilius

Happy New Year, Cancer Lifeline Community!

I hope everyone had a relaxing holiday season. Before we get too far into 2024, I wanted to raise a glass to 2023 one more time for the amazing milestone year it was for Cancer Lifeline. As many in our community are aware, Cancer Lifeline celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. It’s hard to believe that much time has passed, but it’s true—over the last five decades, this wonderful organization and place we all care about, has constantly evolved to meet the needs of our community.

Reflecting back fifty years ago, to the early 1970s, I’m sure many can remember how fragmented, uncoordinated, and often hard to come by cancer research, clinical care, and social services were respectively. Two significant events occurred in the 1970s that changed the face of cancer care and have had long lasting, positive impacts on the cancer community in the Pacific Northwest—the introduction of the National Cancer Act and the establishment of Cancer Lifeline.

The National Cancer Act of 1971 marked a pivotal moment in the fight against cancer in the United States. Signed into law by President Nixon in December 1971, the act allocated significant funds for cancer research and treatment. This landmark legislation led to the establishment of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as the primary federal agency for cancer research. And over the last five decades, the NCI and countless researchers, doctors, nurses, medical assistants and social workers have played critical roles in advancing our understanding of cancer, developing innovative treatments, and ultimately improving outcomes for countless individuals affected by the disease.

While amazing on many accounts, one element of the cancer experience the National Cancer Act did not address front and center were the social and emotional support needs of those navigating a diagnosis. Organizations like Cancer Lifeline have played an important role in filling that void and expanding the scope of services available to cancer patients.

Since its beginning in 1973, Cancer Lifeline has never shied away from championing new advances in cancer support. What started as a single phone number—a “lifeline”—for anyone to dial who needed to hear a calming, supportive voice, has transformed into a digitally-enabled organization offering many in-person and virtual ways—support groups, classes, mental health counseling and more—to connect and find community.

For as long as there is a need, Cancer Lifeline will continue to evolve with the times to meet our community where it is. And as we look to the organization’s next 50 years, Cancer Lifeline’s Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors are actively thinking through the next phase of digital enablement and offerings the organization will want to explore to continue to enhance the quality of life for those living with and impacted by cancer.

A huge thank you to this entire community for supporting Cancer Lifeline for 50 years and for allowing it to support you.

Here's to the next 50!

With love and appreciation,

?Annie Zilius

Cancer Lifeline Board President

Monthly Blog: Renewal & Resilience—Setting Intentions for the New Year

The transition into a new year is often accompanied by reflections on the past and aspirations for the future. For those living with cancer, this symbolic journey holds unique significance, representing not only the turning of a calendar page but also a chance for renewal, resilience, and a fresh start. In this blog post, we explore the empowering practice of setting intentions for the New Year as a means of fostering hope and cultivating a positive mindset amid the challenges of a cancer journey.

Cancer patients face a myriad of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. The New Year serves as a poignant reminder of the desire for hope, healing, and personal growth. Setting intentions becomes a powerful tool for navigating this complex landscape, providing a framework for fostering positivity and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead. Read More.??

Get to know Board Member Gladys Chan

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

Cancer Lifeline's wide span of services covering the cancer patients' and their caregivers' entire prognosis journey and its 50 years of history sparked my interest in this amazing organization.?I shared the same belief in bringing services to the patients who need them the most without friction and focusing on both mental and physical educational programs are?much needed (and essential) in our healthcare system.??

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

I am one of the newest members on the Board.?I started in Nov, 2023.?As a Board Director, I will focus on the development of policies that strengthen and grow Cancer?Lifeline and help to fulfill its mission.??

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

2 years ago, I rejoined the healthcare industry wanting to make a difference in the way we deliver clinical trials to the undeserved communities.?I hope to continue making an impact in improving the patients' recovery journey wherever and whenever I can as?a Board Member, where I can combine my technical engineering skills, management skills I acquired from my MBA degree and my passion in strategic planning.??

How has your life been affected by cancer?

I am fortunate that my life hasn't been directly impacted by cancer.?My grandma passed away after a 2 years long battle with Lung Cancer.?Some of my close friends and their families are going through treatments right now.?I just wish I can do more for them and for anyone affected by cancer.??

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

1) Being informed and empowered to make decisions about their health given where they are in life and what they need or want. 2) Community—people who have been through it who can listen, offer advice if asked, show up and take care of something (cooking, cleaning, childcare, etc) or take a walk to get your mind off things. It can feel very lonely, especially if you are diagnosed as a young adult.

Please tell us about your “Day Job”? I am a Sr. Director of Engineering at a software company?providing a cloud-based platform to accelerate the development of new and life-saving therapies.?I lead a team of talented engineers in innovating solutions that reduce clinical site burden and help sites pre-screen and enroll more patients, provide sponsors with end-to-end visibility into recruitment activity across all channels, and guide sites in conducting the trial for patients who have been enrolled.

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

I try to enjoy life, spend as much time outdoors as I can, travel, and find joy in what I do.??

Get to know Volunteer Artie Huycke

Artie began volunteering with us in April 2023. As a pancreatic cancer survivor, he has been through the physical and emotional struggle of a diagnosis, treatment and the ongoing aftermath. As much as he wanted to put the whole experience in the rear-view mirror, he thought he may have something to offer as a volunteer.

“Cancer Lifeline does truly make a difference in the lives of those undergoing treatment .”

One task he's done as a volunteer is to record feedback (evaluations) by patients and caregivers who have received financial assistance. Although the amount of $450 may not seem much to some, based on people’s comments and words of profound thanks, it’s obvious that this money, for many, is more than just an emotional boost. Financial burdens are just one more thing added to the pile for those who undergo cancer treatment and the Financial Assistance Program provides that additional something to help relieve some of that burden.

A fun fact about Artie: He's starting on his 11th season of playing in the Puget Sound Senior Baseball League. He is also an avid bicycle rider and discovered his cancer after a bike crash sent him to the ER. That turned out to be the “best thing to ever happen to me” (exact words of his doctor), as he had no symptoms to speak of, but the CT scan revealed that he had pancreatic cancer. He had no idea.

“My wife has been a huge help in the process. I think the whole ordeal has been harder on her than for me. Caregivers have their struggles too.”

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

A Client's Story

Cynthia began at Cancer Lifeline in the spring of 2021 when she was encouraged by the social worker where she had received treatment to try a support group.?She was at a low—had started having daily emotional meltdowns, feeling so overwhelmed she couldn’t take care of her basic needs, so full of fear she couldn’t function.?

She was afraid to try a cancer support group but is so grateful she did.?The Women’s support group has been the foundation for healing because people understand.?The skill and humor of our facilitator creates a safe space.

"I am able to tell the truth and talk about the highs and lows, and it's comforting to be with people experiencing similar emotions."

She enthusiastically started taking classes like coping with cancer, meditation, painting, and drawing.?She learned so much, The drawing and painting classes brought great joy. she was a beginner at both in a holistic, supportive atmosphere.?They were a welcome distraction from fatigue, grief, anxiety, and side effects of treatment.?

The Vital Moves class helped her start to regain fitness.?She loves the music and movements.?She started out sitting in the chair and feeling exhausted at the end, and now she stands and dances through the whole class.?The movement and yoga classes have gently and safely got her back to being active again.?The anxiety and overwhelm have lessened now and she feels connected and supported through the various programs she attends.

Program Spotlight: In Person Groups for Young Adults, Caregivers, Children & Adolescents

Starting in January, our Young Adult and Young Adult Caregiver Support Groups will have both in-person and virtual via Zoom meetings. The first and third Saturday of each month will be in person for the Young Adult Cancer Support Group and the third Saturday of each month will be in person for the Young Adult Caregiver Support Group. Registration is on Zoom, still, but it will take place at the Cancer Lifeline Office. Come out and interact with your peers ages 20-40 for these first groups returning to in-person! Learn more & register here.

We are excited to announce that two Saturdays every month January through April, we will be offering Art & Activity Groups for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (age groupings begin at 6 & under and go up through ages 18-25) (starting on the last Saturday of January for those with a cancer diagnosis and on the second Saturday of February for those with siblings or other family members with a cancer diagnosis). Throughout each Saturday, different age groups will meet and engage with issues in age-appropriate ways, through creative expression and sharing. Sign up for one or more of the series! Information can be found here.

For more information on Cancer Lifeline services, how to donate or participate, please visit our website www.cancerlifeline.org.