Cancer Connection Community Members,
At Cancer Connection, we touch lives every single day, and we never know how those people's lives will be changed. But we frequently hear that our free cancer support services can make people who are dealing with the uncertainty, isolation, and grief of cancer feel less isolated and more hopeful. So we made a short video to help us spread the word about securing Cancer Connection's future, to survive 2020 intact.
Financial donations help Cancer Connection, but spreading the word about us by sharing your own story helps us, too.
Our Event Coordinator Chantal DuPuis recently talked about her experience as a caregiver. "My late husband and I went to Baystate for a quick surgery. Hearing the dreaded word CANCER, we were in shock. How I wished I had known about Cancer Connection. I would've taken integrative therapies, programs and support groups. But I did 17 months of caregiving, putting one foot in front of the other. Please donate so that if you encounter cancer, we will be there for you."
When you tell your story, it's powerful.
I'm thinking about Pat Quinn, who died recently at age 37. As the New York Times wrote, Mr. Quinn "learned he had A.L.S. after turning 30, was credited with helping to make the ice-bucket videos a viral sensation that raised $220 million." Suffering from this disease, he wanted to give something back. He didn't think the campaign would spread like that, but it did.
Three women--Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi--created #BlackLivesMatter in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman. The #MeToo movement was started by Tarana Burke. One, two, or three people said, I have to say something, enough is enough, or, I have to do something.
In our own community, Monte Belmonte of WRSI decided to sleep outside to raise money to help Cancer Connection at a very dire time. His ever-growing band of campers heard about it, wanted to give back, and together they raised the kind of awareness that helps people get the support they need. Sue Monahan of Whately created the WMASS Mother's Day Half Marathon, because she wanted to "pay it forward," as she likes to say. (See her announcement about the race below.) Now she has a big crew of dedicated volunteers, runners, and walkers who, while they're having fun with their passion, are giving back.
Respectfully,
Beverly
The Reverend Beverly L. Herbert, M.Div., C.F.R.E.
Executive Director
P.S. Together we have raised $99,503 in donations, pledges, and grants and $102,000 in Thrift Shop sales since "You Can Secure Our Future Now" launched on August 5th. That's $202,000 toward the $250,000 needed. Please help us raise the remaining $48,500. Let's ensure Cancer Connection enters 2021 ready and able to serve all those who need our services.
P.P.S. Thank you to volunteers Frank Netto, video editor, and John Novak, videographer, for producing our Why Choose Cancer Connection Now? video for Giving Tuesday.