Greetings,
I hope this finds you enjoying the holiday season with your loved ones.
As we close out and reflect on this past year, it is amazing to see all we have accomplished in 2022 on behalf of individuals and families who are affected by cancer.
And here are just a few highlights:
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Since January, we provided free mental health counseling to 100 cancer patients, and their families, with limited means or inadequate insurance coverage. Those who qualify received 12 no-cost sessions with professional therapists.
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We offered 19 unique support groups each month providing comfort, and strategies for enhancing quality of life.
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To date, participation in Cancer Lifeline’s free online programs across Washington has increased by 19% from the previous year.
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We gave safety net grants from the Patient Financial Assistance Fund to over 1,000 patients with limited incomes so that they can take care of basic needs and stay in cancer treatment.
We could not have done all of this without your support – thank you!
We are in the home stretch for our Annual Year-End Giving Campaign and I'm hoping you would consider a year-end gift to Cancer Lifeline. When you give to Cancer Lifeline, every dollar you donate goes a long way in helping those in need and keeps our programs accessible and FREE of charge.
Our heartfelt thanks to our clients, donors, board of directors, advisory board members, volunteers, facilitators, funders, sponsors, and staff. We hold you all in our hearts.
From all of us at Cancer Lifeline, our best wishes for a safe and warm holiday season.
With Love & Gratitude,
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Joseph Yurgevich
Executive Director
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Monthly Blog: Year End Rituals |
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For some of us, the end of a calendar year can bring challenging feelings connected to the different cycles of life and how we feel connected to them and the people in our lives. Even so, it can offer a time of self-reflection because the winter months encourage a natural going-inward in response to nature’s changes, especially in northern climates that bring the cold and starkness of winter days. While it is a popular time for looking forward to the coming year, pausing to reflect as a yearly ritual can support intentions for lasting changes we may want to make. This requires a sense that it is important to self-reflect in order to see the changes that have occurred over the last year and learn from what has taken place. Read more.
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We Thank Board Member Ben Hicks |
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All of the Cancer Lifeline family extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to our departing Board Director, Ben Hicks. Ben has served on Cancer Lifeline’s Board of Directors for six years, acting as Board President for over two years during that time. Because of his leadership and financial acumen, Cancer Lifeline is a much stronger organization than it was six years ago, and he will be greatly missed. Ben says, “Change is natural and good. I’m very grateful for the time I served on the Board. We have items in place now that will continue to keep Cancer Lifeline in the right place. It has been wonderful to get to steward the organization from behind the scenes and lead it down a multi-year path. It’s not an experience everyone gets to do.”
Ben joined Cancer Lifeline when he worked at Commerce Bank, which is a long-time supporter of Cancer Lifeline. He continued serving on the Board when he joined Soundmark Wealth Management. “Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by cancer,” says Ben. “Cancer Lifeline is a great resource for people. Although the needs cancer patients and their families can vary for each person, I think one of the greatest needs one has is to just connect with other people and find resources for dealing with the emotional trauma of cancer.”
When asked about his plans moving forward, Ben says that he’s currently working on a Certified Financial Planner designation and wrapping up a Master’s degree at Kansas State University in Personal Financial Planning. When he’s not working or studying, Ben is an outdoors enthusiast. Among his favorite hikes are Lake 22 and Cooper Point, both which he highly recommends for all skill levels.
His advice to any new Board Director is to take a leadership position, whether on a committee or as a Board officer. “It’s a wonderful way to get even deeper into the organization and it adds another layer of involvement that everyone should experience,” he says. “It’s very rewarding, and when you work with a group of caring individuals focused on making an impact in our local cancer community, it’s just that much better.”
We are grateful to Ben for his service, and we wish him the very best.
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Client Story: Meet Kate Nack |
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Kate was diagnosed in June of 2020 with Triple-Negative Breast cancer. She quickly began her treatment plan, frightened and determined all at once. During one of many chemo infusions, my oncology social worker suggested that Cancer Lifeline would help me connect with meaningful support that could help me process what was happening to me. She was so right! Cancer Lifeline has given me a community of dear friends who really "get it." I receive support, and I can offer support to others. During lockdown, Cancer Lifeline pivoted from in-person to online classes, presentations, support groups, counseling ... amazing and a Godsend. To say that I am eternally grateful for Cancer Lifeline feels like an understatement. When I was diagnosed, I stayed focused on getting through treatment, sometimes one minute at a time. Recovery from treatment seemed like a faraway prize that I wanted to win. What I didn't know, and probably couldn't have absorbed at the time, was that recovery from treatment would be a formidable challenge as well.
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Someone described it to me this way:
"When you received the diagnosis, it was like falling into a crevasse. Treatment was rolling down inside it, and you hit the bottom when treatment ended. But there's more to do - recover from treatment. And that is where you are now, climbing up and out the other side of the crevasse." There's no climbing back up the side I fell down. Going back to the way things were before the diagnosis and treatment won't work, because I am not that person anymore. I like who I am now, as I get to know the post-treatment me. Cancer Lifeline, and the people I've met there, are helping me find my way.
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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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Seattle Cancer Care Alliance brings together the leading research teams and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Seattle Children's, and UW Medicine. We are grateful for their ongoing support of our programs.
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We are grateful for the support of members of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center organization on so many levels - for our current Board Directors who are on the staff at Fred Hutch: Bethany Murphy, Joanna Diallo, and Reetu Ghumman, and for so many informative presenters over many years.
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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 grateful for Overlake's ongoing support of our events.
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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 support.
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We are thrilled to welcome Genentech as a new 2022 monthly program sponsor. 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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The Commerce Bank of Washington has been supporting Cancer Lifeline since 1995. Several bank staff members have served on our Board, including former TCBW staff, Steven Gerlock and Susan Finneran, who now sits on our Advisory Board. We are grateful for The Commerce Bank of Washington's ongoing partnership.
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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 2022.
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Cancer Lifeline welcomes myMDadvocate.com as one of its newest sponsors of Resources for Hope. A virtual consultation service for patients in Washington state, myMDadvocate.com is led by our board chair Susan Baumgaertel, MD.
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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 sponsorship of our events.
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For the fifth 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.
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Over 18 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.
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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.
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(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. We welcome them back for 2022.
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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 of our events.
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We are grateful for the steadfast support of Lilly as a sponsor of our fundraising events over the years. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Nate Miles.
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Mercer advises on global strategic health, benefits programs, health plan management, brokerage solutions, individual insurance and benefits solutions. Mercer joins Cancer Lifeline this year as a 2022 event sponsor thanks to the stewardship of Board Director Elizabeth Zech.
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As we expand our services to serve cancer patients and their families in Pierce County, Cancer Lifeline is grateful for our collaboration with Northwest Medical Specialties and we welcome them as our first sponsor for 2022.
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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
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Freestone Capital, an independent wealth and advisory firm, joins Cancer Lifeline this year as a first-time event sponsor. Our thanks to Cancer Lifeline Board Director and Treasurer Bobby Gentry.
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Thanks to the leadership of Board Director
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Comfortable and contemporary, funky, and eclectic. No matter what you call it, Kasala has been bringing you unique home furnishings for more than 30 years. We thank the team at Kasala for supporting the needs of cancer patients and their families.
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We appreciate the support of HomeLight, an innovative online real estate company dedicated to providing equitable solutions for all people interested in buying or selling a home.
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Cancer Lifeline welcomes wealth advisor D A Davidson as a sponsor for this year's Resources for Hope fundraiser. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Jane Caron for her leadership.
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We are grateful for the participation of the Royal Bank of Canada as a sponsor for this year's Resources for Hope fundraiser. Our thanks to Laurie Rosen Ritt for bringing us together.
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We welcome back Safeco Liberty Mutual Insurance as a sponsor for our Resources for Hope Fundraiser. Since 1923, they've been in the business of protecting families and individuals, making it simple to protect what matters to you most.
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We are grateful for the Alhadeff Foundation for joining us for the third time as a sponsor for our Resources for Hope fundraiser. Your support enables us to help many people in need.
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Inquiries regarding opportunities to sponsor events and programs can be directed to Executive Director Joseph Yurgevich.
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