Cancer Lifeline Support Groups & Classes | |
A Note From the Executive Director | |
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WOW! We set ourselves another record best for our Spring fundraising efforts-and we have so many individuals and organizations to thank-but let’s start with YOU!
YOU made it possible! Thank YOU!
While it looked a bit daunting at times, our community really stepped forward and helped us raise $325,075+ for our annual Fundraising with Friends campaign-$75 above goal! Then our amazing supporters made sure we bested our $20,000 fundraising goal by $9 bucks for GiveBig. They both seemed more challenging this year, so it's been a huge relief for the staff and I to see Cancer Lifeline reject the national nonprofit trends of decreasing donations.
It certainly helps that our supporters are incredible and our mission is straightforward: optimize the quality of life for those impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
It also helps that we have 50+ years of experience delivering upon that promise with high quality programs brought to you by extraordinarily talented individuals who are the best in their respective fields.
And finally, it helps to have an AMAZING team! We had 36 Fundraising pages-which included all our staff, every Board Director, several community volunteers, two team pages (go Team Northern Lights and Oncology Nurses!), and several Advisory Board members. (See full list below). We share some extra special love and thanks to Board Director, Tiffany Courtnage, who stepped into the new Board Liaison role and encouraged our Board of Directors and all our Fundraising Champs to do their best work! We so appreciate Rachelle Wills, Board President, and Lynn Behar, Advisory Board Chair who deftly rallied their respective Boards and modeled wonderful leadership.
A huge thank you to our recent past Board President, Dr. Susan Baumgaertel of myMDadvocate who came in as a top tier sponsor AND raised a personal best of over $59k!
Speaking of sponsors, we are deeply grateful to all of our returning sponsors who have shown such dedication to our mission! Please see below for the full list of these kind-hearted and generous organizations giving back to our community!
Gratitude seems too small a term to share our appreciations for Emmie, our tough, resilient, lovely and sweet client, who shared her personal cancer journey and wonderful optimism with us-which we in turn shared with our community. If you missed her story, please take a moment and check it out: Emmie's Story.
Thanks again to all of YOU for your generous support and for your patience. As noted earlier, it was a tougher go this year, and we had to push out a few more emails during our campaign than we planned. We appreciate you for sticking with us and for all you do to support our mission to optimize the lives of those impacted by cancer! YOU have chosen to better the lives of others, and that choice is absolutely beautiful!
Love + gratitude + happy Spring to you all!
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myMDadvocate
Overlake
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
The Commerce Bank
Jeannie & Bruce Nordstrom
D.A. Davidson
Genentech
Pathstone
ROI
Virginia Mason
Mercer
Freestone
Northwest Medical Specialties
One Dog Media
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Susan Baumgaertel
Lynn Behar
Wade Black
Basha Brownstein
Jeremy Bruck
Gladys Chan
Tiffany Courtnage
Veronica Dalton
Joanna Diallo
Brenna Driver
Sue Drummond
Jason & Catherine Fillippini
Bobby Gentry
Reetu Ghumman
Brent Haberman
Kimberley Herner
Easter Ho
Pamela Krueger
Blair LaFavor
Eric Lefteroff
Judy Petersen
Kathy Porada
Katie Richey
Robin Riveland
Sherilyn Segrest
Mary Ellen Shands
Dese Sjouwke
Peggy Sturdivant
Nicole Taylor
Carrie Todd
Liz White
Rachelle Wills
Shavon Yingling
Elizabeth Zech
Oncology Nurse Friends
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Get to Know Board of Directors Member Elizabeth Zech | |
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What sparked your interest in joining Cancer Lifeline’s Board of Directors?
I joined Cancer Lifeline as a fairly junior board member. A good friend and coworker of mine was connected to the organization and brought up the idea of service. Once I spoke with Joseph and understood the mission the rest was, as they say, history.
How long have you been volunteering with Cancer Lifeline as a Board Member and what is your role?
I have been with Cancer Lifeline as a board member for almost 6 years. I have been a bit of a jack of all trades, I currently serve on the Finance Committee but also previously chaired the Marketing Committee and was a member at large on the Fundraising with Friends committee for several years.
What do you find most fulfilling about serving on the Board of Directors?
I love that there is always something new for us as a Board to do. Truly our role is to support Joseph and the staff and the work they do is easy to admire.
How has your life been affected by cancer?
I have had several friends and family members impacted by cancers, sadly as have many. In particular, my aunt lived many years with metastatic cancer via a clinical trial drug that actually never made it to market. It is amazing what can be done when your support system can lift you up.
What do you see as the biggest needs cancer patients and caregivers have?
Support, time (for appointments, recovery, logistics), financial stability for treatment and life, and access to timely quality care. Luckily, there are organizations like Cancer Lifeline who can sometimes ease the burden directly or at least support folks through the journey.
Please tell us about your “Day Job”
I work for a healthcare consultancy focused on employer sponsored healthcare. I am lucky to work directly with clients but also in a “Research and Development” type role attempting to tackle some of our systemic healthcare issues.
Tell us something about yourself that you’d like to share in general.
Working with Cancer Lifeline has brought many new and wonderful experiences, perhaps one of my favorites was feeling the reach of the organization “in the wild.” I had a colleague whose spouse had been diagnosed with late-stage cancer shortly after retiring. I followed their story closely on Caring Bridge and was amazed to later find the support they often spoke of in their updates was coming from Cancer Lifeline.
Join our exceptional board! We continuously welcome new members. Learn more here.
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Marcia was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2021 and found her way to Cancer Lifeline 6 months later as her social workers from Virginia Mason referred her to us. She was amazed at the volume of programs for those living with cancer and their loved ones and that the programs were all free! When she was going through chemotherapy and was feeling awful, she would look at all the services that Cancer Lifeline provided, which gave her hope and something to look forward to participating in as soon as she was feeling up to it. She felt drawn to the support groups at first, then branched out and started attending creative expression classes and presentations.
"It was a very safe space to speak honestly and be listened to without judgement and supported by people who really get what I'm going through, because they have traveled that road ahead of me".
Marcia loves going to support groups and meeting everyone, some who are several years out from diagnosis. She has made connections with people that she would never have met otherwise. The fact that people listen to her story feels like such a gift. Even if they are not feeling well themselves and don’t share during group, the fact that they are there listening feels affirming to Marcia.
Cancer Lifeline is for everyone no matter where they are on their journey. Had Marcia known about Cancer Lifeline sooner, she could have joined a support group within weeks of her diagnosis and she believes her journey would have been easier. However, through participating in support groups she's learned that Cancer is a marathon and not a sprint- it is like a roller coaster (some days you are just struggling to get up the hill and other days you are cruising down the hill). There IS life after cancer.
Pro tip: It’s ok to come to zoom class in PJ's and bathrobes. Your pet is welcome too!
Fun Fact about Marcia: She has lead 594 groups through the Pike Place Market Food and Culture Tours and in 2019 had the highest number of 5 star online reviews.
Interested in sharing your client story with others? Learn more here
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Monthly Blog: Welcoming Spring: A Time of Renewal | |
Living with cancer can be filled with twists, turns, and unexpected loops. Beyond the physical challenges of treatment and managing symptoms, the emotional toll can be just as profound. From fear and anxiety to moments of hope and resilience, navigating the emotional roller coaster of cancer requires strength, support, and community. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the common emotions experienced by individuals living with cancer and offer insights into coping strategies for riding this roller coaster as it is not linear. One of the most prevalent emotions that individuals facing cancer grapple with is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of the future, and fear of what lies ahead can cast a shadow over every aspect of life. The uncertainty surrounding diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and long-term side effects and prognosis can fuel anxiety and apprehension. It’s essential to acknowledge these fears and find ways to cope with them. Read More. | |
Get to Know Volunteer Cait | |
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Cait was drawn to volunteering with Cancer Lifeline after speaking with a dear friend who had just completed her practicum with us.
As someone in the midst of completing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and who also understands firsthand the struggles of those facing long-term illness and disease within the family, Cait knew that she wanted to explore the volunteer opportunities with Cancer Lifeline.
Some of the things that Cait is most passionate about include community care, advocacy, and connecting with others. Her love for helping and supporting those who are navigating difficult and uncertain times in their lives, like many of those who call into the Lifeline, shines through so brightly and is apparent within moments of interacting with her.
“I deeply love doing patient assistance touch-back calls; folks are not only so grateful for the financial assistance, they're also grateful for the human connection we offer checking in on whether they've received their checks. Not only do these calls often turn into emotional support calls, it's also gratifying to offer additional resources, which helps me feel like I'm being proactive about the client need.”
One of the biggest needs that Cait sees for cancer patients and caregivers is the need for systems of support including financial, medical, and communal. She has spoken to countless people on the Lifeline who have shared the many hoops that they have to jump through to advocate for themselves or their loved ones. Being able to hold space and offer navigation and support to individuals, especially those who are facing cancer alone, has been one of the more fulfilling parts of volunteering with Cancer Lifeline, according to Cait.
Fun fact: Cait also volunteers with Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, where she gets to hang out with horses and help the organization fulfill their mission as well. She was delighted to find the opportunity to work around horses again, which was something she didn’t think was possible after moving to Seattle from Montana.
Interested in becoming a volunteer with us? Learn more about opportunities here.
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Cancer Lifeline in the Community: Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness Saturday June 1st | |
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The Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness Conference is taking place Sat, June 1st from 8:30am-3pm at The Fred Hutch Cancer Center.
This annual in-person free event is designed to provide education on a variety of the late and long-term effects faced by cancer survivors after treatment is completed and to promote wellness and empowerment after cancer. Complimentary light continental breakfast & lunch will be provided as well as parking.
In addition to a keynote presentation by Survivor Valerie David, the event will feature breakout sessions, a survivor panel discussion, and opportunities for networking.
We are honored to be one of the community organizations hosting a table. Be sure to stop by and say hello! Learn more & register.
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Program Spotlight: [In Person] 3 Part Series
Support for a Return to Regular Athletic Activity
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July 12, 19 & 26 10am-12pm
Throughout his years as Medical Director of Cancer Rehabilitation Services at Swedish Cancer Institute, Dr. David Zucker observed all too often people who had completed treatment eager but unable to return to, or get close to, pre-cancer exercise, athletic performance, and – most poignant for him – the joy of physical activity. Sometimes they were demoralized, chronically fatigued, and frustrated. He noticed that, for many, the principal cause was not the cancer, treatment side effects or chronic health conditions (although these definitely can have substantial impact on function). Rather, it was insufficient knowledge of the profound physiological impact of cancer and treatment on the body, heart, and mind, together with limited experience in how to harness the power of awareness to fuel recovery. People he's worked with genuinely wanted to return to pre-cancer levels of performance, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t. The training strategies that worked in pre-cancer times simply did not work. In the post-treatment time, the pre-cancer approach to training, combined with a lack of knowledge on how to befriend—and rely upon—the body’s trillions of healthy cells, had become understandable training errors. And training errors are always malleable, amenable to new learning and training tactics. I loved seeing my patients re-discover the joy of fitness and physical activity.
This class will offer new learning and training approaches, discoverable as lived experience, and through which to embark upon a refreshed journey to fitness, health and resilience. Each session will have a specific focus related to exercise, awareness, and resilience. He will offer strategies and awareness practices to incorporate into your training program between classes. We'll have discussions where we learn from each other. In a supportive group setting, the magic of community is free to blossom, delivering an ideal field for learning and growing back into optimal fitness. Learn more & register today by clicking here.
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Overlake Medical Center Genetic Special Events | |
Knowing about your risk can help you develop a surveillance plan and could help you prevent a future cancer. Join Overlake Hospital Medical Center in-person on Wed, May 29th from 5:30-6:30pm, or online, Wed, June 5th from 10-11am to learn whether you may have an elevated risk of developing cancer based on your family history, genetic make-up or other risk factors. Click Here to learn more & register. | |
Sponsor Spotlight: The Commerce Bank | |
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Thank you to The Commerce Bank for their ongoing support of Cancer Lifeline. Since 1988, The Commerce Bank of Washington has enriched local businesses with highly personalized banking from local, experienced bankers dedicated to long-term relationships.
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Our Sponsors Make It Possible
Cancer Lifeline is grateful for the leadership and support of the following sponsors:
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Cancer Lifeline thanks myMDadvocate and Dr. Susan Baumgaertel for her ongoing support. myMDadvocate is a virtual consultation service serving patients as an advocate, guide, advisor, coach, resource, consultant, collaborator, educator, navigator, and partner.
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We are grateful for the support of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center on so many levels - for our current Board Directors who are on the staff at Fred Hutch: Joanna Diallo, and Reetu Ghumman, and for their sponsorship!
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We began our formal hospital partnership with Overlake Medical Center in September of 2017, but our relationship reaches back to 2004 when Cancer Lifeline had office space in Bellevue. We are very grateful for Overlake's ongoing support.
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Cancer Lifeline thanks wealth advisor, D A Davidson as a sponsor. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Jane Caron for her leadership.
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We thank Genentech as one of our sponsors. While this biotechnology corporation is committed to advancing science for the greater good, they are also committed to supporting our local cancer community.
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Mercer joins Cancer Lifeline again this year as a 2024 sponsor thanks to the stewardship of Board Director Elizabeth Zech. | |
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Seagen focuses on accelerating breakthroughs to transform cancer care and impact patients lives for 25 years. We appreciate their sponsorship, support and passion for helping those living with cancer. | |
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We have counted on ROI Technology Inc. to keep us safe, secure and active on the internet since 2015. Cancer Lifeline salutes ROI Technology for their ongoing support in 2024. | |
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One of Cancer Lifeline's hospital partners, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has locations in both downtown Seattle and Federal Way. Cancer Lifeline is grateful for Virginia Mason's continued sponsorship of our events.
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Reaching as far back as 2006, Pathstone
(formerly Cornerstone Advisors) has been a steadfast sponsor of Cancer Lifeline. Our thanks for their continued support.
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Freestone Capital, an independent wealth and advisory firm, returns this year as a sponsor. Our thanks to former Cancer Lifeline Board Director, and Treasurer Bobby Gentry. | |
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One Dog Media helps businesses with website design that reinforce brand identity, e-commerce solutions, graphic design and more. We thank Lisa Oliver, in-kind sponsor, for this important work that allows us to reach and stay connected with the people we serve. | |
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As we expand our services to assist cancer patients and their families in Pierce County, Cancer Lifeline is grateful for our collaboration with Northwest Medical Specialties and for
their support.
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Thank You To Our Grantors | | | | |
