As you read through this month's newsletter, we want you to understand the profound impact of your support. Each year, nearly 30,000 moments of connection, comfort, and hope unfold through Cancer Lifeline. These are the moments when someone facing cancer hears the words, “You’re not alone,” or finds the support they desperately need in their time of uncertainty.

Right now, people experiencing cancer are reaching out to Cancer Lifeline—looking for support, compassion, and community. And because of a community of caring supporters, they find it.

For more than 50 years, Cancer Lifeline has been there for people in need. Our free services—support groups, wellness classes, mental health counseling, our Lifeline—are available to anyone impacted by cancer, at any stage of their journey. Whether someone is newly diagnosed, in treatment, caregiving, or finding their way after cancer, we’re here. And we’re able to be here because of the generosity of those who give.

Each year, our Spring Fundraiser provides the vital funding that makes this support possible. And today, we’re in the final stretch—we’re close to our goal, but we need one last push to get there.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to give, this is it.

Your support ensures that:

• Someone newly diagnosed can talk to a compassionate voice who truly understands

• A caregiver can take a deep breath and feel heard and supported

• A survivor can rediscover strength and belonging in a community that gets it

Your donation doesn’t just sustain programs. It sustains people. It changes lives.

With just one week left in our fundraiser, your gift can be the one that helps us reach our goal—and ensures that no one has to face cancer alone.

If Cancer Lifeline has made a difference in your life or the life of someone you love, or if you believe in the power of human connection during life's hardest moments—please give today.

Every gift matters. Every gift is a lifeline.

With heartfelt thanks,

The Cancer Lifeline Team 

In August 2024, Keng-I was diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. Living in Hawaii and navigating the uncertainty that comes with a new diagnosis, she knew she needed more than just medical treatment—she needed support, community, and resources to guide her through the journey ahead.

Driven by a desire to find holistic options that aligned with her values and lifestyle, Keng-I turned to the internet. She searched for yoga, meditation, tai chi, writing, end-of-life planning, support groups, nutrition, exercise, and creative expression specifically for cancer patients. That search led her to Cancer Lifeline. From the moment she connected with the organization, she knew she had found something special.

“I wish everyone could find Cancer Lifeline as soon as they’re diagnosed with cancer,” she shares. “It’s been a true lifeline for me.”

The support groups she attends are intentionally small, fostering a deep sense of continuity, kindness, and understanding. For Keng-I, the consistency of the same facilitator has been especially meaningful—serving as an anchor during a time marked by constant change. Since her diagnosis, she has moved five times, changed jobs, and switched care teams. Through it all, Cancer Lifeline has remained a steady and supportive presence.

A registered dietitian by profession, Keng-I has shifted her focus to explore new areas like cancer and menopause—deepening her understanding of the connections between health, nutrition, and life transitions.

Outside of her professional and healing journeys, Keng-I finds joy and renewal in the outdoors. She loves hiking, swimming, biking, reading, and paddling in outrigger canoes. Her story is one of resilience, curiosity, and the power of finding the right support at the right time.

Interested in sharing your story? Email Nicole Taylor, Program Manager

Self-Care goes beyond responding to our physical needs; it also means looking at what we need emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to keep ourselves healthy and thriving. We understand that the simple gift of being in our natural world and spending intentional time on ourselves, supports healing and growth. Research has documented the many ways in which making a “connection” with horses can positively impact our health, especially during times of stress and anxiety for those living with cancer. We encourage you to try one of our upcoming Free Spring or Summer Equine Support Workshops where you will experience first-hand the powerful connection between horse and human. You will be able to work with the horses individually while being guided by certified professionals. No experience necessary. Open to patients, family members & friends facing cancer.

Upcoming Dates:

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center

(Redmond) 6/14 & 8/2, 10am-12pm

Register

Courageous Connections

(Arlington) 5/10, & 7/12, 1-3pm

Register

"This is a life-changing experience!"

-Equine Workshop Attendee

Cancer & Creative Expression: Earth Day Celebration

Depression & Cancer

Cancer & Nutrition: Love Your Liver with a Gentle Detox

Tue, April 22 1-2:30pm

Wed, April 23, 5:30-6:30pm

Tue, April 29, 5:30-7pm

Volunteers are the heartbeat of any organization, infusing it with passion, dedication, and selflessness. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, Cancer Lifeline takes this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to our volunteers for generously giving their time, energy, and expertise to help us fulfill our mission of optimizing the lives of all people living with cancer.

Volunteers at Cancer Lifeline come from all walks of life, representing various ages, backgrounds, and professions. Yet, they are united by a common purpose: to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer and their loved ones.

Since our lifeline volunteers are usually the first person to interact with an individual when they hear about Cancer Lifeline, they are such an essential part of the organization and we truly could not do what we do without them. When someone reaches out to the lifeline, the volunteer who picks up the call holds space for the caller to talk about what they are going through in that moment. Their empathy, compassion, and genuine care creates a sense of connection and belonging that can make all the difference while someone is navigating a cancer diagnosis of their own or someone they care about.



The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are an essential part of Cancer Lifeline. By raising our visibility in the community, offering valuable guidance and oversight, expanding our network, and facilitating meaningful connections, they help shape the direction and impact of our organization. In addition to their leadership, our board members are also dedicated fundraisers—championing our mission and helping to secure the resources that make our free classes, support groups, and services possible. Their passion and commitment propel us forward and ensure that no one has to face cancer alone. We are deeply grateful for their support and advocacy.

Cancer Lifeline is deeply grateful for our Advisory Council—an incredible group of volunteers whose years of experience, insightful counsel, and unwavering passion have been instrumental to our work. Their generosity, wisdom, and commitment provide vital guidance and resources that strengthen our mission.

Beyond their support, the heart they bring to our organization continues to inspire our entire community. We are honored to have them by our side.

We are also so incredibly grateful for our wonderful and talented facilitators who donate their time and volunteer to share their expertise. Through them, we are able to offer a wide array of classes, support groups and educational presentations that we would otherwise be unable to do.

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, the staff at Cancer Lifeline extend our deepest thanks to each and every one of our incredible volunteers. Your compassion, dedication, and unwavering support inspire us daily. You remind us of the true power of community and the profound impact that human connection can have on the lives of those facing cancer. Because of you, no one has to face this journey alone. Thank you for being the heart of Cancer Lifeline.

Last month, we shared the exciting news that Harmony Hill has merged with Cancer Lifeline. With a shared mission of supporting people impacted by cancer, this partnership brings together two communities rooted in compassion, healing, and connection.

As we continue to weave our programs and teams together, we’re filled with gratitude and anticipation. This thoughtful integration takes time, and we’re approaching it with care—honoring the legacy of both organizations while creating new opportunities to grow and serve even more people affected by cancer.

It’s a meaningful moment in our journey, and we’re so glad to have you with us.

To learn more, we invite you to visit our Merger Information Page at cancerlifeline.org, where you’ll find more information.

Thank you for walking alongside us.

Everyone knows about the conventional treatment pathways for cancer…. Chemotherapy… Radiation… Surgery. This three-pronged approach has been the bedrock of cancer treatment since the 1940s. But since then, so many other pathways to healing have emerged. Immunotherapy… Targeted Therapies… Hormone Therapy… have all changed the landscape of care.

But there is an underpinning modality which weaves in, and around them all - Integrative and Supportive Care. This care is now available through Cancer Lifeline.

The Orion Center for Integrative Medicine, located in Cancer Lifeline’s Dorothy O’Brien Center, is dedicated to transforming cancer care through evidence-based integrative therapies. Founded by Dr. Bonnie A. McGregor, a clinical health psychologist with a background in cancer research, the center aims to bridge gaps in traditional cancer care by integrating holistic treatments. In 2023, the Orion Center merged with Harmony Hill and in 2025, both the Orion Center and Harmony Hill merged to become part of Cancer Lifeline.

The Orion Center programs focus on healing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—by offering a range of services designed to support patients before, during, and after cancer treatment - in concert with the care the patient receives from their primary care and oncologists.  Read More.

My name is Victrinia, and I am a uterine cancer survivor. I am, in fact, a poster child for early detection. I’ve lived as a survivor for over sixteen years.



And even after all these years…I still think about it. I still have an emotional relationship with that experience. Like so many others, I can have ‘scanxiety’… or a ‘what’s that bump?’ reaction towards my body from time to time.

But I am so much more than a survivor… and honestly, cancer… which showed up as a crucible in my life… made me a better person.

It feels so awkward to say that, to think that there is something to be grateful for in my experience. Don’t get me wrong… Cancer cost me. Hopes and dreams were burned up in that crucible – I had always dreamed of being a mom… and I got to have medically induced menopause in my 30s instead. It took a lot of time and therapy to sort out how to let go of those dreams, and to learn to be at peace with my new body. But what was left, after the fires had cooled, was a person more in touch with the meaning of her life. Friendships mean more… love is sweeter… forgiveness of others and self is easier… and the willingness to offer kindness and acceptance as a near spiritual path has become my core belief.

Being right… being the best… being first… these things hold smaller meaning to those of us who have chosen to peer through the keyhole of understanding to what cancer can teach us. The preciousness and fragility of life… and sometimes the smallness of our world view.

Cancer was the crucible, in a fiery furnace, which burned away the chaff of what I thought was important… and left the gold of my life.

Of course, the reality of my own humanity is that I fumble… I fall… and make messes and mistakes that are at odds with the gold left behind. So, I catch myself… correct the hurt… and do the repair work that is needed.

But now I have the awareness… and the willingness… to acknowledge my flaws… give compassion to myself, my errors… and love on. I see the suffering in others with a kind of heart aching compassion that can take my breath away. I have forgiveness in abundance, because I earnestly hope and pray to be given the same from others. And if I do not… I will still love on.

If you are reading this, it’s likely that you too have been affected by cancer. I offer all of this as a perspective of how you could see this experience for yourself… to look through that keyhole… to find your own groundswell of compassion, hope, and joy inside of kindness.

Cancer Lifeline, Harmony Retreats, and The Orion Center for Integrative Medicine, are here to co-journey with you on this path to self-understanding and healing. I’m grateful to be able to say I am a part of this beautiful organization. If you want to learn more about how to access the new ways that we can support you… reach out… we are here for you.

Yours in service,

Victrinia Ridgeway

Cancer Lifeline Staff Member

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

With extensive experience supporting financial planning for non-profit organizations, I also recognize that the wonderful programs require significant fundraising, organizational, and financial strategy. Serving on the board enables me to help improve the lives of those impacted by cancer by helping to strengthen the organization behind the programs and services. Every day I help lead and steer financial strategy for individuals and organizations and would love for that expertise to ensure that Cancer Lifeline programs remain free and accessible to those in need.

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

I joined the Cancer Lifeline board at the end of July 2024. So, I am coming up on a half-year of involvement with this fantastic organization. Starting in the new year I joined the Finance Committee on the board as well.

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

The ability to spend time both on and in the business. Helping to guide an organization to serve most effectively then actively getting involved during fundraising efforts to ensure all that effort is realized. 

How has your life been affected by cancer? 

I am particularly attracted to Cancer Lifeline due to its impact on the local community. Having seen firsthand the impact of isolation on my mother and on a dear friend in their battles with cancer, the value of continuing to strengthen the local support system becomes increasingly meaningful and important. Cancer Lifeline's mission of reducing social isolation, addressing mental health needs, and providing practical and financial support to those impacted by cancer is one I would be grateful to support and reinforce.

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

Community and near peers. Community provides external support. Peers, those who have also experienced the hardships of cancer, provide an even deeper support system. 

Please tell us about your “Day Job”.

I am a wealth manager. In addition to being a financial advisor I work on marketing and merger and acquisition strategy. 

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

Over the holidays, my wife, dog, and I drove across the country (truly end-to-end on I-90) and relocated to Boston. It has been a bittersweet move, but an exciting new chapter. Currently, I am navigating the intricacies of best supporting the board and Cancer Lifeline remotely. Although, I look forward to being able to rejoin in person on occasion.

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

Join a community of nurses who embrace the value of self-care to sustain a caring presence and greater longevity in their practice. Designed by nurses for nurses, we have crafted a unique experience for you. Coming from a variety of nursing disciplines, their experiences will help you reconnect with your passion for nursing.

At this retreat, you will:

• Learn relaxation techniques to support your wellbeing

• Explore mindfulness as a therapeutic technique for yourself and your patients

• Practice self-compassion as the foundation of self-care

• Develop generous listening skills for effective communication

• Reconnect to the passion and meaning of your work

• Experience movement, creative arts, poetry, and journaling in a beautiful environment that promotes reflection, resilience, and renewal

• Participants will receive 13 Nurse Contact Hours upon completion

Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to offer a limited number of scholarships which can be applied to cover the program tuition of this retreat! Please click below to apply for a scholarship: Nurse Scholarship Application.

Location: The Sacred Waters Center is on the scenic shores of Hood Canal in Union, Washington, and offers a peaceful environment surrounded by lush forests and breathtaking water views.

Click here to learn more and register.

Meet Trenecsia Wilson, a licensed mental health counselor and facilitator of Cancer Lifeline’s BIPOC Support Group. Cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers often share with her how deeply the online support groups, mental health counseling, and other free programs have changed their lives.

Trenecsia shares, “There’s already enough stress with a cancer diagnosis—navigating the impact, making difficult decisions, and adjusting to so many changes. Patients shouldn’t also have to worry about how they’ll access supportive services or how much they’ll cost.”

Thanks to donors like you, no one has to face cancer alone. Your generosity ensures that everyone—regardless of income—can find comfort, connection, and strength in a welcoming and supportive community.

Every dollar you give has real impact:

Keeps our Lifeline open via phone & chat, providing a vital emotional lifeline to those navigating cancer.

Funds a monthly cancer support group meeting, providing a safe and compassionate space for individuals and caregivers to connect, share, and heal.

Covers three free counseling sessions for those who cannot afford therapy — part of a 12-session program that helps patients and caregivers process trauma, anxiety, and grief.

A donation of ANY AMOUNT is more than a donation—it’s hope, healing, and a lifeline during the toughest moments.

Please give today, and help transform lives.

We are honored to share that Cancer Lifeline is a recipient of a 2025 Community Contribution grant from the Stillaguamish Tribe. This generous support strengthens our ability to provide critical free services to individuals and their loved ones impacted by cancer.

We are so grateful for this partnership and the Stillaguamish Tribe’s commitment to community health and well-being. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those navigating cancer. Thank you for your trust, your generosity, and for standing with us.