Cancer Connection Community Members,
Happy and blessed 2021 to you, your family, and friends. I have thought about you since December 31, 2020. With a grateful heart for you. Thank you.
In 2021, the pandemic persists, and yet Cancer Connection’s free services remain. Because of you. You “secured the future” of free cancer support services in your community for 2021. Thank you for your generous spirit, passion, and caring for those facing cancer.
You join 696 individuals, families, and businesses between August and December 2020 who gave $312,000 to defeat the pandemic's impact, surpassing the $250,000 funding gap Cancer Connection faced. A gap caused by the Covid-19 closure of Cancer Connection’s Thrift Shop and the cancellation of key fundraising events.
You join Cancer Connection’s Board of Directors who dedicated their time to ensure the stability of the services needed. You join the volunteers who called to say, “thank you”, mailed letters, and made beautiful Holiday ornaments for sale. You also join the best team with whom I have ever worked. Because of your support, they could convert the Thrift Shop into a safe and enjoyable shopping experience during this pandemic, convert our services to a remote format and provide guidance to those unfamiliar with the technology, and daily speak with those on the cancer journey, giving them comfort and a safe place to be.
You kept intact the men’s, breast cancer, ovarian / gynecology, and families/caregivers support groups. You funded the rest to heal, knitting, spirit of the written word, and music and movement programs. You prepared calming strategies recordings for participants; recordings that relaxed them as they anxiously awaited their surgery in the hospital. One participant told me how they became very anxious just as the nurse prepared to take them to the operating room. The nurse played the Calming Strategies recording; they found peace and were ready. Because of You.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude and thankfulness for you. We could not have made this shift without you. THANK YOU!
As I look ahead this year, I am optimistic because of you and our community that surrounds and supports those on the cancer journey. However, on January 13, 2021 I was not positive. I thought, “I cannot wait until 2022”. Can you imagine! The 13th day of a new year and I am thinking about 12 months later! Wow! An optimist, I was shocked by my reaction; I had hit my tipping point. If you also have hit that point, please, know that you are not alone. We are in this together, supporting and caring for each other. I am here for you.
