On a hot and beautiful July evening, we gathered together in the beautiful UW Botanical Gardens to celebrate something truly special: you.

Our Impact Celebration was more than just a party, it was a powerful reminder of the strength and generosity that fuel our work every day. We were thrilled to welcome volunteers, facilitators, community partners, and friends from both Harmony Hill and Cancer Lifeline, many meeting for the first time and instantly finding common ground in shared purpose.

This year’s event held added meaning as we continue to grow together following our merger with Harmony Hill. Seeing two beloved communities come together, side by side, story by story was a moment of genuine connection and inspiration. The energy in the air was full of fun, hope, compassion, and the deep understanding that none of this work happens without you.

We also had the privilege of recognizing individuals whose dedication and heart have made a lasting impact. This year’s award winners represent the very best of our community.

Peggy Rinne

Inspiration Award  

Jasper

Inspiration Award

Courtney Zier

Empowerment Award

Judy Schwartz Haley

Empowerment Award 

Vince Cacanindin

Volunteer of the Year

Denise Krouse

Barbara Frederick Lifetime Achievement Award

We left the evening feeling inspired by the stories shared, the connections made, and the incredible impact you help create every day.

As we look back on this unforgettable night, it’s the perfect time to share a broader reflection of that impact. Our 2024 Community Report brings to life the numbers behind the stories. The counseling sessions, support groups, wellness classes, and financial assistance that reached thousands this past year. Every data point represents real people, real hope, and your support at work.

With gratitude,

Joseph Yurgevich

From a To-Do List to a Lifeline: Abby’s Journey with Cancer Lifeline

For Abby, getting a mammogram was simply another item on her “to-do” list—something quicker and easier than updating her family’s will. At 48, with no family history of breast cancer, she wasn’t expecting anything unusual. But after nearly a decade without screening, she figured it was time. What she didn’t anticipate was that this routine visit would launch her into one of life’s most profound learning curves.

The diagnosis led to a lumpectomy, positive sentinel node removal, and six weeks of radiation in 2023. Hormone-blocking medication became part of her daily life, as did long hours on the tennis court—her way of staying active and grounded. It wasn’t until nearly a year later, in November 2024, that she discovered Cancer Lifeline, thanks to a passing comment from a yoga teacher during a virtual class. Curious and always eager to learn, Abby decided to look up the organization—and found more than she ever imagined.

With an overwhelming amount of cancer information online, Abby was relieved to find a place offering high-quality, free programs that didn’t require her to be the expert or navigate everything alone. She began taking evening and weekend classes, both online and in person, finding solace in a community of others who were walking similar paths. In each class, she felt safe, seen, and encouraged to ask questions—something she values deeply.

One of Abby’s most powerful realizations on this journey has been how little people know about the randomness of cancer. “I wish I had known earlier,” she says, “that only 15% of breast cancers are familial—85% are random cell mutations.” It helped her release the guilt of not getting screened sooner. “With cancer, some cells divide slowly, others aggressively. The science behind distinguishing and treating them is truly remarkable.” When she needs grounding, she turns to a quote by Teresa of Avila: “You are exactly where you are meant to be.” It gives her strength and peace.

Among her favorite Cancer Lifeline experiences are Yoga Nidra—a guided meditation practice that’s given her a level of deep rest she hadn’t felt in years—and Visual Journaling for Self-Discovery, where she created a board reflecting her personal sources of wonder and certainty. Sitting with scissors and magazines, reflecting on her identity and journey, she found new clarity in just a few hours.

Abby’s journey began with a routine task, but it led her to a vibrant, supportive community—and a deeper understanding of herself. “Thank you, Cancer Lifeline,” she says, “for helping me process the last two years of my life in ways I hadn’t before.”

Would you like to share your Cancer Lifeline or Harmony Retreats story with us? Contact Our Communications Team

Visit our website to register.

*All class times are in Pacific Standard Time, and on Zoom unless noted.

A few spaces remain for the August 3-Day Cancer Retreat! Our in-person 3-Day Cancer Retreats are designed to provide an intentional space for you to connect with other cancer survivors and their companions. Discover techniques that promote resilience and restore balance in your life. Share your experience in a safe space with others who will understand the road you are on. Participants are asked to pay for their food and accommodations. Scholarships are available to those with significant financial need.

Click here to learn more and register. For a scholarship, apply here.

A Listening Ear: One Volunteer’s Quiet Impact

When Stephen first walked through the doors of Cancer Lifeline, it wasn’t to give—but to receive. His wife, Jan, was in the last year of her life, navigating the ups and downs of cancer treatment. The classes and community she found at Cancer Lifeline became a place of respite, where—just for a little while—she could set her illness aside and be immersed in something else. “It was a great gift,” he says quietly. “A way for her to forget cancer, even briefly.”

That gift planted a seed. A few months after Jan’s passing, Stephen returned—not as a client this time, but as a volunteer. “It was a way to give back,” he explains. “Cancer Lifeline had meant so much to her, to us, during that time.”

Though new to the role, he has already seen just how profound the need is. “Dealing with cancer can be overwhelming in ways most people never imagine,” he says. “Understanding a diagnosis, getting to treatment, managing daily life—it’s so much. And while the medical care here in the Northwest is excellent, there’s also a huge need to connect. People need to know they’re not alone.”

That’s where Stephen comes in.

One call in particular sticks with him: a caregiver, burdened and overwhelmed, called in and talked for nearly an hour. “I didn’t say much,” he reflects. “Mostly I just listened. I tried to be present, to be supportive.” At the end of the conversation, she told him she felt better—and asked if she could talk to him again. They spoke again a couple of weeks later. “That moment showed me how real the impact can be.”

It’s not about having the perfect words or fixing someone’s pain. “It’s the feeling that someone’s lighter after talking to you,” he says. “That you helped carry a little of what they’re holding.”

A Washington native—born near Pullman and raised in Walla Walla—Stephen’s always had a spirit of curiosity. His visits to China two decades ago remain vivid in his memory. “It was exotic, beautiful, and unlike anything I’d ever experienced,” he recalls. “The people, the culture—it was unforgettable.”

In a way, that same spirit of exploration carries into his volunteer work. Every conversation is a journey. And every call, a chance to show someone that they matter.

(Photo - Stephen with his partner, Kathy.)

Board Member Spotlight: Dominique Grinnell,

Director of Marketing, Delta Dental of Washington

We’re delighted to introduce one of the newest members of Cancer Lifeline’s Board of Directors, Dominique Grinnell. Officially joining the Board in July 2025, Dominique brings both professional expertise and a deeply personal connection to our mission.

Dominique had been actively seeking a meaningful opportunity to serve after completing a previous board term. When she learned about Cancer Lifeline, it struck a chord—almost every member of her family who has passed did so due to cancer. She has witnessed firsthand the toll it takes not only on patients but on their loved ones, and she was drawn to the heart-centered work of providing support beyond the medical realm.

For Dominique, board service is both an honor and a responsibility. She believes that the most impactful way to serve is by aligning purpose with passion—something Cancer Lifeline makes possible in abundance. “What patients and caregivers often need most,” she shares, “is rest, diversion, and laughter. For patients, it’s a break from being sick and from the weight of others' concern. For caregivers, it’s a chance to pause and be reminded they are not alone.”

Outside of her role at Cancer Lifeline, Dominique is the Director of Marketing at Delta Dental of Washington, where she leads customer insights and oversees direct-to-consumer sales. She takes great pride in advancing oral health equity across the state.

Though she describes herself as an introvert, Dominique’s warmth shines through when she talks about her love of travel, cooking, and languages—she speaks four! Ask her about her limoncello recipe or how to craft the perfect risotto, and you’ll quickly find her inner storyteller.

We’re honored to welcome Dominique to the Cancer Lifeline Board and grateful for the wisdom and compassion she brings to our shared work.

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

We’re honored to feature this moving reflection from Dr. Susan J. Baumgaertel, former Cancer Lifeline Board President, longtime supporter, and current Cancer Lifeline sponsor through her practice, MyMDadvocate.

Originally published on MenopauseMenu, Susan’s story traces a full-circle journey: from doctor to patient to one year cancer-free. Along the way, she offers a deeply personal lens on Cancer Lifeline’s impact, and a heartfelt call to action.

One full trip around the sun.

Four seasons of healing.

A thousand cups of mediocre hospital coffee.

And now, officially over one year cancer-free.

For twenty years I’ve watched Cancer Lifeline illuminate paths across Seattle.

First from my seat on the Medical Advisory Board, then as Board President.

Now?

Well, the universe has quite the sense of timing…

Suddenly, I see their impact through a lens that feels deeply personal.

From doctor to patient to survivor, I’ve seen every angle of what they do.

And it’s nothing short of extraordinary.

Through their doors flow all kinds of stories:

Fresh diagnoses, still sinking in…

Quiet victories between treatments…

Families holding each other steady (and yes, occasional complaints about the parking)...

Moments of fear transformed into courage…

Small triumphs celebrated like championships…

Cancer Lifeline catches them all.

In 2024 alone, they:

✦ Wrapped 2,382 people in professional counseling through phone calls and online chats, offering comfort when it was needed most.

✦ Lifted 1,111 individuals with counseling sessions, creating safe spaces to share fears, hopes, and everything in between.

✦ Stepped in with 288 support group meetings, where strangers became family over cups of tea.

✦ Offered 674 wellness classes that brought back strength and hope, one breath at a time.

✦ Provided 1,083 financial assistance grants, easing the burden when medical bills started looking like phone numbers.

Altogether, that’s 29,962 moments of connection, support, and hope across our region…

All provided free of charge to those who need it most.

And speaking of hope…

I’m filled with gratitude to share that through the recent Fundraising with Friends (FWF) campaign, I had the honor of leading an incredible community effort.

Together, with the generosity of 55 donors, I raised $32,486—surpassing my initial goal of $25,000.

Even more exciting, this annual fundraiser as a whole raised an astounding $335,271, exceeding the overall goal of $330,000!

Every dollar means another person finding the support they need…

Whether it’s counseling, a support group, or financial assistance during an overwhelming time.

Now, one year cancer-free, I’m proud to champion an organization that changes lives every day.

So if you or someone you know is facing cancer, please remember:

Cancer Lifeline is here.

Their doors are open.

Their hearts are ready.

Take a look at their programs: Cancer Lifeline

Because nobody should face cancer alone.

With gratitude and hope,

Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD

We are proud to spotlight ROI Technology for their generous support of Cancer Lifeline. Since 2015, we’ve counted on ROI to keep Cancer Lifeline safe, secure, and connected; ensuring our staff, clients, and volunteers can access vital online tools and services without disruption. From cybersecurity to everyday IT support, ROI has been a trusted backbone of our digital operations. We’re proud to salute ROI Technology for their continued partnership and generous support in 2025.

Our Sponsors Make it Possible

Cancer Lifeline is grateful for the leadership and support of the following sponsors