In this issue:
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Enjoying the Holidays; stay SAFE during the pandemic
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Meet the Team – Board Member Alexa Ancheta
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Clients need us more during pandemic... We need you!
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Enjoy the Holidays...
While Staying Safe!
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Around the holidays, we are usually thinking about travel arrangements, recipes, gifts, extra chairs, and other components of a normal celebration. This year we have a different normal – how can we stay safe and celebrate with our loved ones? No one wants to take unnecessary risks, or host or attend a super-spreader event.
The pandemic has already been stressing people out for 8 months. With case numbers rising everywhere, making a plan to enjoy the holidays is another stressor. Some people have health risks. Many have been impacted financially, and may be unable to afford a trip.
We advise “coping ahead” – making a plan for how you can be safe and have an enjoyable time:
- First assess your own risk, and the possible risks involved in events you may host or be invited to.
- How much travel is involved, and how risky is that travel?
- Will you be indoors or outdoors?
- How is your own current health and the health of others who will be there?
- How about the behavior of your family and friends? Will they mask, distance, etc.? What would you have to do to be safe?
- Acknowledge the feelings you have about the holidays and about holiday events. It is ok to be sad, irritated, or anxious.
- Remember you have the power to say no. If you have to turn down an invitation, be gracious.
- Ultimately, do what is best for you and your family.
To create the most enjoyable experience for your holidays, think of possibilities and alternatives:
- Shop online and get groceries delivered.
- Have a food exchange with others who may be local, but not attending in person.
- Plan your event outdoors, during daylight, when it may be warmer.
- Recommend that people wear layers.
- Prepare and serve your food from a safe indoor food station, in individual plates rather than shared communal platters.
- Minimize touch of food items.
- Have people wear masks when not eating. Provide paper masks.
- Set extra tables, so people can sit further apart. Sanitizer at each table.
- Have individual hand towels and sanitizer available in your restroom.
- Be creative about how to FaceTime or Zoom with people not able to travel, so they feel included, loved, and actively participating.
- Come up with activities or games to lighten any tension.
Remember, if you’re stressed, so is everyone else! Creating new rituals in a challenging time can strengthen us, and help us to feel successful.
We wish everyone a healthy, happy, safe holiday season.
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Additional Resources for Holiday Planning:
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Meet the Team
Alexa Ancheta
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“During my junior year of college, my dad was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. It was undoubtedly a life-altering moment for me because it was the first time I had to sit with the potential reality of losing my dad as an adult. During this time, I started therapy as it specifically pertained to working through the complexities of maybe losing a loved one to a terminal illness. Little did I know that therapy would be a life altering experience for me. The tools I learned through the counseling experience really gave me – for the first time – a 30,000-foot view of how families like mine could be supported through the practice of counseling. This vision and mission refocused my life’s directive and passion.
“Even though I thought I would pursue my passion for counseling individuals with terminal illnesses through Individual Marriage and Family Counseling, I actually had the opportunity to meet Fran after I pursued a different career path. I had a realization that my pursuit of this passion could also be accomplished by volunteering my time with a non-profit. After a quick google search of “cancer counseling centers in the OC” I found The Center for Cancer Counseling and quickly fell in love with its mission of providing a safe home where cancer patients and their families could receive valuable education, recovery tools, and the steps to reenter their lives.
“Once I had the opportunity to meet Fran and the rest of the team in person, I knew this was the non-profit for me. Over the last four years I have the opportunity to take part in roles like volunteering as well as currently holding a position on the board. At the end of the day, Fran and the team are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. Their hearts and intentionality for those they counsel is undoubtedly something to be admired for years to come. The foundation they are setting for families now and for the future will play a pivotal role in finding a sense of peace in the chaos of cancer.”
Alexa is a Product Marketing Manager for a financial services services company in Orange County. She has been volunteering with Fran’s Place for 4 years, and serves on the Board of Directors. Alexa holds a BBA from Concordia University.
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Our Clients Need Us More than Ever!
We Need YOU!
Fran’s Place (a 501(c)3 non-profit), depends upon generous donor support. Due to Covid-19 gathering limitations, we will be unable to hold our annual fall Gala. We need your support now to continue our vital licensed psychological counseling services, provided AT NO CHARGE to cancer patients and their families and caregivers. Donor benefits available at every level! If you have recently donated, thanks so much! If not, please remember that cancer touches everyone. During the pandemic, our clients are even more stressed, and need our help more than ever. We've provided 50% more service hours this year, with less funds raised.
Please help us today! Thank you for your support!
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Copyright © 2020, Fran's Place - Center for Cancer Counseling, All rights reserved.
1000 Quail Street # 187
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Fran’s Place / Center for Cancer Counseling is a nonprofit 501(c)3.
Tax ID: 33-0877271. Donations are tax deductible.
All donor information is kept confidential.
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