December 2025

LINK TO HOPE NEWSLETTER

A message from the Executive Director - Melissa Karrer


Hi Friends,


As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect with deep gratitude on another year of impact, hope, and opportunities to fulfill our mission-to reduce barriers for Kentuckians affected by cancer, whether by connecting them to life-saving screenings or providing essential support to those navigating a diagnosis.


Thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and healthcare partners, we've helped nearly 3,000 Kentuckians access the care and resources and support they need- many of whom would otherwise go without due to lack of insurance or financial hardship. Your compassion fuels our work and turns challenges into moments of HOPE.


We're especially grateful to our hospital system partners and community organizations across the Commonwealth. Your collaboration ensures that no Kentuckian has to face cancer alone. Together we're making a difference.


As we look ahead to the new year, we invite you to join us in continuing this vital mission of being a link to hope for Kentuckians. Your year-end gift helps us reach more individuals in need of screenings, transportation assistance, and patient support services like wigs, post-surgical items, & more. Give hope today- every donation makes a difference Click here to donate today!


From all of us at KY CancerLink, thank you for supporting us and believing in our mission and helping make Kentucky a place where everyone has access to the care they deserve. Wishing you a holiday season filled with love, joy, and most of all hope.


Cheers,


Melissa

Save the Date!


Please consider supporting our mission financially 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...

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.

WKYT - Link to Hope

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


In this month's segment, meet a local Winchester nurse & lung cancer survivor who credits early detection with saving her life.


Click here to view segments!  

 

THANK YOU to WKYT for your partnership!

Out & About

Melissa joined some of the KY Cancer Program-East staff for Mamm's Day Out -a Saturday screening event hosted at UK's Comprehensive Breast Care Center on November 1st where 23 women were screened for breast cancer. We're grateful for this partnership and this opportunity to offer screenings to uninsured & underinsured Kentuckians.

KCL recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony, in partnership with Commerce Lexington, to celebrate our new space, on Wed., Nov. 5th. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for this exciting event.

Grateful Patient

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

Easy Crusty Bread


Homemade bread is truly one of life's simple pleasures.

This would make a perfect gift for friends & family that will not disappoint. Add some fancy butter or a special olive oil for dipping to make it complete.



Click here for recipe!

Cranberry Crumble Bars-browned butter blondie


This one pan creation is a delicious holiday dessert that's easy to create. The buttery shortbread crust and fresh cranberries make it a holiday favorite.




Click here for recipe!

Roasted Chestnut Soup


This hearty, delicious soup will warm your heart and soul and may even become a holiday tradition like it is in our family. The Glitz serves a very similar version that's listed in their cookbook. Tip:Use roasted chestnuts in a pouch to save time.


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

860 Corporate Dr., Suite 103

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-309-1700

Toll-Free: 877-597-4655

Fax: 859-368-8418

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