Why Do You Choose
Cancer Connection?
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.

Think about why YOU support our center in all the ways that you do. Are you inspired to make your own very brief video about it to spread the word? If so, have fun with it! Please share with us if you do by replying to this email.

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.
Race Director Sue Monahan of the WMASS Mother's Day Half Marathon:
"Your Race at Your Place"
Registration is open for the 2021 WMass Mother’s Day Race.

You don’t have to run a half marathon or walk 9 miles to participate.

For the first time in 11 years we’re offering a 5K (3.1m) or the Half Marathon distance.

And if you want to sleep in, you don't have to get up early on Mother's Day. You have a whole week in which to choose your best day and time! Run, walk, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, or rock a wheelchair from home.

Register, or give the gift of registration to someone you love. Click here or the button below.

You can also donate directly to the race and help us make an impact.

We can’t let a Mom’s Day go by without honoring Moms, Cancer Fighters and Cancer Connection! Make a plan to join us in 2021 - safely - your race at your place.

-- Sue Monahan, Race Director
Send a Hug to Those You Love:
Send Them Our Ornaments
Pick up some of our creative, often whimsical, and almost entirely handmade ornaments.

Crafted by our Volunteers and available at:
 
126 Mountain Rd, Hatfield
  
5 Conway Drive, Greenfield 
(off Main Street, near Solon Street
  
100% OF ORNAMENT PROCEEDS BENEFIT CANCER CONNECTION
Last Chance to Clean out Your Closets
for Cancer Connection in 2020
Thrift Shop Donations Welcome Next Week
Cancer Connection Thrift Shop's last days to donate your gently used, quality items in 2020 are from Wednesday, December 9th through Saturday, December 12th.
Florence Bank's Customers Choose Cancer Connection
If you have an account at Florence Bank, please choose Cancer Connection in their Customers' Choice program.
 
Your choice will support our remote services.


Another Way to Provide Support:
Consider Being a Board Member
We invite you to apply. The Board member application is available at cancer-connection.org. Please email Executive Director Beverly Herbert at bherbert@cancer-connection.org for more information and to send your application. We hope you will consider joining us.
We're Here if You Need Us
During this crisis, Cancer Connection is making every effort to communicate with and provide services to those in need through remote means. If you or someone you know is seeking support while they are dealing with cancer or for anyone who is a loved one or caregiver: please call us at 413-586-1642.

Our Befrienders are available to talk, share information, and offer services where we can, during this time of in-person closure.



a haven of strength and hope for over 20 years
Center Phone

413-586-1642

Call and please leave a phone message with your available times
A Befriender will call you back
Website

Details about our support groups, integrative therapies, programs, and befriending

Mail
41 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060