October 2023
LINK TO HOPE NEWSLETTER
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Greetings from the Executive Director - Melissa Karrer |
Hi Friends,
We are officially into the "ber" months .... where did September go? Leaves are changing and the mornings and evenings are cool - I'm not mad about it.
One reason September went by so quickly is that we were BUSY! So much fun this past month with outreach events and our 9th annual Links to Hope Golf Scramble that was on September 19th at Keene Trace Golf Club - Keene Run Course. There is a summary of the event below. Next year will be our 10th year of the event and we are already working to make sure that it's commemorative and special. Keep up with details - you won't want to miss it!
Our Certified Patient Navigators remained steady with serving Kentuckians through cancer screenings or support during a cancer diagnosis - there are some statistics listed below.
October begins the month of breast cancer awareness that has each weekend already booked up with outreach partner events, such as Mamm's Day Out with our UK Markey Cancer Center partners offering free mammograms to uninsured and those with insurance that need a Saturday screening, the Yes, Mamm! / Yes, Cerv! 5K with partners, CHI Saint Joseph Health to raise money for free breast and cervical screening services, and Breast Health Awareness Brunch with Baptist Health for an informative session on screening with opportunities available to get this very important screening. So many great partnerships to celebrate!
As a "pink girl" for the last 11 years, I would like to encourage everyone to get their mammograms as it can be life saving.... make time for yourself!
Thank you so much for following along with our mission. We'd love to hear from you. We are also looking for those who may be interested in serving on our board of directors as we have a few available openings. I'd love to chat with you more about that..
Cheers,
Melissa
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Screening and Cancer Support Services |
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Thank you to the Fayette County Extension Homemakers for your recent donation of comfort pillows that we can share with cancer patients. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from one of these items, please reach out to us and we would love to share with you.
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Kentucky CancerLink's 9th Annual Links to Hope charity golf scramble was held on Tuesday, Sep.19th at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville. We had a great event, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! Thank you to everyone who came out to play and support the mission of KCL. We'll be announcing the exciting details for next year's event soon. You won't want to miss it!
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Melissa attended the announcement & celebration of UK Markey Cancer Center achieving NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center status.
It was wonderful to see many of our amazing partners. We are grateful to be able to serve Markey patients.
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Gabby & Ginger, our bilingual Spanish speaking patient navigators, collaborated with one of our partners, Baptist Health Lexington, in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month, at the FLACA (Foundation for Latin American Cultural Arts) health fair in Lexington on Sep. 24. We love opportunities to partner with our supporters to make an even greater impact in our communities.
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On Sat., September 30, Melanie and KCL intern, Alyssa, attended the Baptist Health Louisville Community Against Cancer Block party to talk with attendees about screening and support offered for cancer patients in Kentucky.
It was a great day connecting with the community and our Baptist Health partners!
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Board Member: Acacia Dyer
Acacia first learned of KCL in 2014 at a breast reconstruction awareness day event in Lexington. Acacia remembers the impact the event had on her and the inspiring people she met that day, including KCL executive director, Melissa Karrer.
Acacia and Melissa reconnected a few years ago at Forcht Bank where she serves as the Financial Center Manager at one of the local branches.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Acacia moved to Kentucky in 1977 and she is fortunate to still be fully bilingual.
Acacia has been married to her husband, John, for 36 years and have been blessed to have three children and three beautiful grandchildren.
Acacia says she is excited to serve KCL as a board member and looks forward to supporting the organization and the wonderful work they do.
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Kroger Community Rewards
Support Kentucky CancerLink’s mission at your local grocery store! We are pleased to be a part of the Kroger Community Rewards program.
for Kentucky CancerLink is TG249.
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We need your help to earn a donation of $20,000!
Field & Main Bank is launching their Community & Cause initiative on October 2, 2023!
Please vote for Kentucky CancerLink—once a day, every day, until October 31—by visiting the Community & Cause website- click here to vote for KCL
The non-profit with the most votes will receive $20,000 and a media package from WKYT and LexToday!
These funds could really help us make an even greater impact and help us continue to be a link to hope for Kentuckians.
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Share your ideas and resources! Do you know of something that might be useful to the cancer community? Let us know, and we may share it in future publications.
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Creamy Butternut Squash Soup
The air is getting crisp, the leaves are starting to change and one of my favorite seasons is upon us-soup season! This easy recipe can be prepared in a slow cooker, an Instant pot, or on the stovetop. Nothing tastes more like Fall than a warm cup of butternut squash soup loaded with lots of beta carotene and vitamin c which may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Pairs fabulously with the 3-ingredient artisan bread.
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Easy Arugula Salad
This super simple salad comes together easily and quickly and would make a great accompaniment to the butternut squash soup, also featured in this issue. It's made with just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Arugula is packed with lots of flavor and loaded with nutrients.
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3 Ingredient Artisan Bread
If you've never attempted to make homemade bread because it feels too complicated, this recipe is a great place to start. Truly a failproof method for making the most delicious crusty bread and using only a few ingredients- no preservatives, no artificial flavors, just flour, salt, & yeast (& water. Pairs great with any meal- especially soups.
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Kentuckians need hope today. Link 2 Hope is a monthly podcast featuring community partners discussing ways to remove barriers for Kentuckians in need of screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer.
New episodes available! Click HERE.
Thank you to our partner, RunSwitch PR!
Available on whichever platform you listen to your podcasts. Subscribe to be informed when new episodes are added!
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Each month on WKYT, a Link to Hope story is featured with Amber Philpott.
Most recently, Amber interviewed April Huff, with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and her family's personal story with leukemia and how it led to her current role at the Lexington Chapter of LLS.
THANK YOU to WKYT for your partnership!
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KENTUCKY CANCERLINK
2425 Regency Road, Suite B
Lexington, KY 40503
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Phone: 859-309-1700
Toll-Free: 877-597-4655
Fax: 859-368-8418
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