Optimizing the quality of life for all people living with cancer.
Cancer Lifeline Online Support Groups & Classes
All online classes and support groups are FREE for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Check out our website for online access instructions and current program listings.
Here is a selection of featured upcoming programs:
Summer Soups Aug 24 11-12
Make-Ahead Freezer Meals Aug 27, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Talking with Children about Cancer
You may have been working hard to protect your children by not talking about cancer. However, many parents soon discover that their children know something has changed. Children notice when family members are upset and sometimes, they may even see their parents crying. They see and feel their parent’s stress and choose not to say anything because they do not want to make their parent feel worse. Despite your best efforts, medical appointments and treatment cause unavoidable disruptions in normal routines. Children overhear family members talking about cancer. They may be listening when telephone calls come in from doctors and nurses. They may also have learned about cancer from friends, television, the internet, or at school. As a first step, reach out to one of our Family Consultants to help you navigate this conversation. Read more.
Watch for our newly refreshed Website
Cancer Lifeline's website has an all-new look and improved functionality just in time for our Fall Term (Sept - Dec 2021). Online registration will begin in late August and our new interactive calendar will make searching and signing up for our online programs much easier. Watch for news about Tips & Tricks for navigating our classes, support groups, and finding resources.
Cancer Lifeline Board News
Ben Hicks has completed his final term as Cancer Lifeline’s Board President and will continue to serve on the board through 2022. “It’s been a privilege to lead this enthusiastic group of hard-working board members through some challenging terrain, not the least of which included the pandemic. We have a balanced budget, strong programs, great sponsors, dedicated donors, and committed board support as we rise up to our next challenges.”

Susan Baumgaertel, MD FACP took the reins as new Board President at July’s Board Meeting. “I’m thrilled to continue working alongside all 22 board members as we keep Cancer Lifeline moving forward. I am also excited about our upcoming fundraiser, Resources for Hope on October 2, as it replenishes one of Cancer Lifeline’s key community safety net programs, the Patient Financial Assistance Fund. I remain proud of the range of innovative programming we continue to offer such as the shift to online services and our new, free counseling program for low-income cancer patients.” Susan has been involved with Cancer Lifeline since 2005, initially serving as a Medical Advisor. She officially joined the CL board in 2018 and served as the chair of the 2019 and 2020 Breakfast with Friends fundraisers.
Save the date Saturday, October 2 for this year's online fundraiser, Resources for Hope. Now in its 8th year, this fundraiser replenishes our Patient Financial Assistance Fund, which helps financially challenged cancer patients pay for basic necessities to enable them to stay in treatment. Learn more.
Our Sponsors Make It Possible
Cancer Lifeline is grateful for the leadership and support of the following 2021 Sponsors.
Swedish Cancer Institute has been a steady sponsor of Cancer Lifeline's events for several years. Cancer Lifeline works alongside Swedish to help advance the field of emotional support for people living with cancer. Our heartfelt thanks for their continued sponsorship.
Cancer Lifeline's relationship with the University of Washington goes back to 1973 when members of the UW faculty sat down with our founder Gloria Gutkowski to talk about the lack of emotional support programs for cancer patients and what might be done about it. Cancer Lifeline salutes UW Medicine for their ongoing support of our events and welcomes them back for 2021.
A longtime sponsor of our Breakfast, The Commerce Bank of Washington has been supporting Cancer Lifeline since 1995. Several bank staff members have served on our board, including Steven Gerlock, Cancer Lifeline board member, and Susan Finneran, who now sits on our Advisory Board. We are grateful for The Commerce Bank of Washington's ongoing partnership.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance brings together the leading research teams and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch, Seattle Children's, and UW Medicine. We are grateful for their support of our programs and for the guidance and leadership of our current SCCA board members Tiffany Courtnage, Andy Peet, and Cathy Taketa.
Over 16 years ago, Cancer Lifeline was invited to host a support group at EvergreenHealth. That was just the beginning of our strong partnership. Cancer Lifeline thanks Evergreen for their continued support.
For the fourth year in a row, Jennifer Evans and her Farmers Insurance agency have been a sponsor of our annual Fall Fundraiser, Resources for Hope. We are so grateful for Jen's ongoing support.

Reaching as far back as 2006, Pathstone (formerly Cornerstone Advisors) has been a steadfast sponsor of Cancer Lifeline's events. Our thanks to Cancer Lifeline Advisory Board Member Dave Drews and Pathstone for their continued leadership.
Dedicated to promoting the economic benefits of life science business and research for Washington state's economy and patients around the world, We Work For Health seeks to educate our elected leaders, the news media, and the communities they serve about these key contributions. Cancer Lifeline welcomes We Work for Health Washington back as a 2021 sponsor.
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 grateful for Overlake's ongoing support of our events.
One of Cancer Lifeline's newest hospital partners, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has locations in both downtown Seattle and Federal Way. Cancer Lifeline is grateful for Virginia Mason's sponsorship of our events.
Dedicated to helping low-income and homeless families since 1989, The Windermere Foundation renews its support of Cancer Lifeline's Resources for Hope as a sponsor of this year's event.


Thanks to the leadership of Ben Hicks, our past board president, Cancer Lifeline welcomes Soundmark Wealth Management as a new sponsor in 2021.
Lilly has been a long-time sponsor of Cancer Lifeline's Breakfast with Friends, starting back when it was still a Luncheon. We are grateful for their steadfast support of our fundraising events over the years and look forward to many more.
Cancer Lifeline welcomes AAA Fire Protection as a new event sponsor in 2021. AAA Fire Protection helps ensure the safety of Cancer Lifeline's headquarters, the Dorothy O'Brien Center.


On the recommendation of our board member Sue Drummond, Michael Weichbrodt with Morgan Stanley joins Cancer Lifeline's group of 2021 Sponsors.
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 of our events.

We are grateful for the Alhadeff Family Foundation joining us for the third year in a row as a sponsor of our annual Resources for Hope fundraiser.
Inquiries regarding opportunities to sponsor events and new online programs for 2021 can be directed to Executive Director Joseph Yurgevich or Development Director Beth Brooks.