March 2025

LINK TO HOPE NEWSLETTER

A message from the Executive Director - Melissa Karrer

Hi Friends,

March is always a busy month as we come together to raise awareness for colorectal cancer, and also kidney cancer and multiple myeloma too.

This is always a really great opportunity for all of us to learn more about these different cancer types and the impactful ways that screening and early detection can reduce the incidence and mortality rates in our state.

Colon cancer is very preventable. In 2024, we were able to navigate over 650 Kentuckians to screenings for colorectal cancer- 354 through at home FIT tests for average risk individuals and 312 colonoscopies for uninsured and/or underinsured individuals through the KY Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention Program funded by our Kentucky legislature.

Empowering Kentuckians to take proactive steps towards early detection and treatment and providing much needed support and resources to those in the midst of treatment for all cancer types is the heart of our mission.

Let us embrace this month with compassion and determination, fostering a supportive environment where we can share knowledge and resources. Together, we can make a difference.

Thank you for staying connected!

Cheers,

Melissa

Click on the links below for general information, risk factors, and more.

Click here for more information on colorectal cancer

Click here for more information on kidney cancer

Click here for more information on multiple myeloma

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!

Click here for more information & registration for the

Quarter Horse Marathon Relay

WKYT - Link to Hope

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

Our most recent segment highlights how one Lexington nonprofit provides a community of support for women of color facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

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

KY CancerLink participated in Handshake for Health, a free screening and wellness event for the community sponsored by Harrison County Middle School FFA. The event was on February 4th at the Cynthiana Fairgrounds.

Some of our KY CancerLink staff celebrated Galentine's Day with a team lunch outing on February 13. Our hearts are full of love for our patients, donors, & supporters. 💜

Melissa and Melanie attended KY Nonprofit Lobby Day at the KY Capitol in Frankfort on Feb. 20th. The event was organized by KNN (KY Nonprofit Network) and was an important day filled with meetings with our lawmakers to share information about the impactful work we do for Kentuckians affected by cancer.

Melissa attended the Colorectal Cancer Screening Symposium hosted by Kentucky Health Center Network in Lexington on Feb. 27 as a panel speaker to discuss the impact of patient navigation for colorectal cancer screenings.

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

Kroger Community Rewards

Support Kentucky CancerLink’s mission at your local grocery store! We are pleased to be a part of the Kroger Community Rewards program.

It’s easy!! Just go to: https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards to register your Kroger card. The ID#

for Kentucky CancerLink is TG249.

Delicious Ideas

Blackened Shrimp with Homemade Remoulade

This recipe is so quick and easy and absolutely delicious. Use it as a main entree or sprinkle on salads for a tasty addition of protein.

The homemade remoulade sauce is so tasty and really kicks it up a notch.

Click here for recipe!

Shamrock Protein Shake

I've never had a Shamrock Shake from the golden arches, but I do hear that people get pretty excited about the special treat that's offered seasonally.

This recipe is a healthier version of the popular treat with lots of protein and just a few clean ingredients.

Click here for recipe!

Flourless Oatmeal

Apple Cake

This recipe uses whole food ingredients using no white flour or white sugar but instead sweetened with honey.

This simple recipe would be great for a breakfast meal prep. Who says you can't have cake for breakfast?!

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