August 2025

LINK TO HOPE NEWSLETTER

A message from the Executive Director - Melissa Karrer

Hi Friends,

It's back to school time in my house - my youngest will be a junior in high school this year! While I will miss summer, there is something exciting about a brand new school year. Don't ask him what he thinks! Hahaha.. Makes me want to buy new office supplies too.

Last month, our founder-Vicki Blevins Booth and I represented KCL as one of several worthy honorees for the Yes, Mamm! 5K 10-year anniversary summer kick-off event at Link Belt in Lexington. We are honored to be navigators for this wonderful program that provides hope to so many Kentuckians who are uninsured or underinsured. The Yes Mamm! 5K will take place this year on Oct. 11 at RJ Corman in Nicholasville - be sure to check out more information online!

We still have sponsorship opportunities available, and a few foursome spots left for our upcoming Links to Hope charity golf scramble next month on Sep.15th! Reach out to Melanie (see contact info below) to secure your spot, or if you have questions.

Thank you for staying connected! Let's continue to work together to be a link to hope for our fellow Kentuckians!

Cheers,

Melissa

Please consider supporting our mission financially in 2025 so that we can continue mailing fuel cards to cancer patients with transportation barriers and providing free wigs and post mastectomy garments to women in need and to make the greatest impact in our communities throughout the Commonwealth. All of our donations stay local to help Kentuckians in need.

Your involvement can make a significant difference!

Every donation counts...

Click here to donate today

When you purchase gift cards for any occasion, through the link below, a portion of the proceeds benefit KY CancerLink.

Click here to shop over 200 different gift card options available

through RaiseRight.

Save the Date!

WKYT - Link to Hope

Each month on WKYT, a Link to Hope story is featured with Amber Philpott.

In this month's segment, learn how one of our very own bilingual Spanish speaking patient navigators helps connect individuals to life-saving cancer screenings and other support services at KY CancerLink.

Click here to view segments!

THANK YOU to WKYT for your partnership!

Grateful Patient

Virtual Tour!

Click here for a virtual tour of our KCL office!

Out and About

Melissa & Melane attended the TOPS in Lex Social event hosted by CoolBlue Lex on July 17 in Lexington. The event was also a celebration to honor local breast cancer survivors. It was wonderful to catch up with so many of our colleagues and friends in the breast cancer community.

Melissa & Melanie had the opportunity to talk with our friends India Jones & Jim Caldwell on WKYT's Everyday Kentucky segment to share details about our upcoming "Links to Hope" charity golf scramble on Sep. 15 in Lexington at Keene Trace Champions Course.

Our founder, Vicki Blevins Booth and our executive director, Melissa Karrer represented KCL as one of several worthy honorees for the Yes, Mamm! Yes, Cerv! 5K 10th Anniversary Summer Kick Off event at Link Belt in Lexington on July 23rd. We're honored to be navigators for this wonderful program that provides hope to so many!

Ways to GIVE BACK!

Did you know we have an Amazon wish list?

One of our greatest needs is $25 Visa gift cards we use to send to cancer patients to help them travel to and from treatment appointments.

Amazon gift cards, in any amount, help us purchase nutritional supplements, durable medical equipment, and other items to help patients who are experiencing a cancer diagnosis.

Click here to shop our Amazon wish list

Click here to register your Kroger rewards card!

Delicious Ideas

Alabama Firecrackers

This might be the easiest & inexpensive after school snack you've ever heard of, but it also might easily be one of the most addictive!

With just a box of saltines and a few spices you probably already have in your kitchen, you can create a tasty snack for kids (& grown-ups) of all ages to enjoy.

Click here for recipe!

Peaches & Cream

Protein Shake

This is the season for fresh fruit and vegetables and if you love a juicy peach and hitting your protein goal, you're going to love this recipe.

Peaches are abundant right now in our area and you can't get any better than a farm fresh peach plus you support our farmers when you shop local so it's a win-win.

Click here for recipe!

Steak Sandwich with Chimichurri Sauce

Summer is the best time for creating the most delicious meals outside on the grill. It's dual purpose because you can craft an amazing meal for the family outdoors and won't heat up the kitchen during the hottest days of summer!

The flavors in this recipe are amazing- cheesy provolone, herby chimichurri sauce and peppers & onions= chef's kiss!

Click here for recipe!

Link to Hope Podcast

Kentuckians need hope today. Link 2 Hope is a monthly podcast featuring community partners discussing ways to remove barriers for Kentuckians in need of screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer.

New episodes available! Click HERE.

Is there a topic that you would like to hear about? Contact Melanie Hunter at melanieh@kycancerlink.org to share your ideas!

Thank you to our partner, RunSwitch PR!

Available on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts. Subscribe to be informed when new episodes are added!

Share your ideas and resources! Do you know of something that might be useful to the cancer community? Let us know, and we may share it in future publications.

Email Melanie Hunter at melanieh@kycancerlink.org

KENTUCKY CANCERLINK

2425 Regency Road, Suite B

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-309-1700

Toll-Free: 877-597-4655

Fax: 859-368-8418