Optimizing the Lives of 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. You can also download a copy of our current class catalog here.

Here is a selection of featured upcoming programs:
Meditation for Pain Reduction August 24,5:30-6:30pm
Monthly Blog: Ho-Ho-Ha-Ha-Ha:
Why Laughing is Good for You
Have you ever started laughing and found you couldn’t stop? Perhaps it started with a giggle and then gradually broke out into full-blown laughter that was giddy and out of control. Do you remember how you felt afterwards – happier, more exhilarated, and maybe even a little delirious? There’s no question that laughter is a great stress buster and can change your mood within minutes. On a physiological level, laughter boosts the feel-good hormones in the body including serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, and releases endorphins. Over 50 studies conducted on Laughter Yoga show that it also strengthens the immune system, alleviates depression, lowers blood pressure, reduces the level of stress hormones (epinephrine and cortisol), and strengthens your lung capacity. Read more.
Meet Lifeline Volunteer Bill Taylor
Bill is originally from Chicago and has been teaching for 51 years. When he moved to Seattle, he learned about Cancer Lifeline through one of his students, Phyllis, who is also a volunteer She was telling him about it and said, ‘They would like some men,’ so he decided to volunteer.
 
He had two uncles who had lung cancer from smoking and his brother, who lived in Germany, had esophageal cancer. He went to visit him before he died and when he returned to the States, he continued to call and talk to his wife. He didn’t realize until recently that he was doing with her what he have been trained to do at Cancer Lifeline – just sit and listen. She needed that support.
 
"One of the things I know about myself is that I’m a helper. I learned that from past training in reflective feedback. It was great to have a refresher on active listening during my volunteer training, as well as learn about the different programs and services that Cancer Lifeline offers"
 
Interested in becoming a volunteer with us? Learn more about opportunities here
Program Spotlight: Vital Moves
Mondays, 12-1pm & Thursdays, 5:30-6:30pm
Have you been wanting to get moving on a regular basis? Our online Vital Moves class might be just the thing you’ve been looking for. In every session, instructor Meryl Shier seeks to provide a joyous communal class experience while cultivating greater body awareness. The optimal takeaway is a toolkit of options to encourage and enhance daily movement. Research extolling the virtues of movement and exercise as beneficial for so many conditions, including cancer and for maintaining quality of life, has informed the evolution of the class over the past ten years. Vital Moves was developed by applying a lifelong study of music and movement, cello and dance performance to address medical challenges. With music as the motivator, the overarching goal is comfortable, healthful movement that one can refer to and practice on their own on a regular basis.

The class lends itself to varying levels and degrees of participation. Dictated by how one is feeling on any particular day, it is possible to participate at a slower & relaxed pace or at an upbeat and invigorating one. Regardless of your speed, the results tend to be mood elevating. The entire class can be done from a seated position though many enjoy standing. It is a no pain, anti-fatigue class. Individual modification and adaptation, (each in their own way) is paramount. A difficult day can be brightened by simply enjoying the music and the camaraderie. The energy coming off the screen is palpable, giving a collective boost to participants. Witness the joy jumping out of the screen by giving it a try. Registration for Fall classes will be opening soon.
Save the Date: Resources for Hope Sat, Oct 8th
Cheers to 10 years! Save the date Saturday, October 8 for this year's online fundraiser, Resources for Hope. Now in its 10th 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.
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. Jen is a lifelong resident of Washington and has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years. She has the knowledge and experience to help you better understand your coverage options – whether that’s auto, home, life, commercial or more. Her agency is located off the Burke Gilman Trail, on the corner of 40th and Latona and they focus on providing outstanding customer service so that you are educated on the coverage options to suit your specific needs, ensuring the process is straightforward and personalized to help you select the most comprehensive, cost-effective solution.
A Note from the Executive Director:
Cancer Lifeline's
2021 Impact Celebration
 

*Pictured above, from left: Lisa Dawson, Lauren Lema, Monica Adams, Lynn Behar, John Masembe & Joseph Yurgevich

On July 20, Cancer Lifeline and our community came together for our first in-person gathering since 2019. We gathered in the warm evening sunshine at the beautiful UW Center for Urban Horticulture for our annual Impact Celebration in which we recognize and honor our amazing volunteers and facilitators with food, drink and awards for outstanding contributions.
 
At Cancer Lifeline, we know that we are only as good as our volunteers & facilitators – and that’s what makes Cancer Lifeline GREAT because our team is amazing!
All our volunteers – whether Board Directors, Advisory Board members, Lifeline volunteers, or facilitators – bring something special to our organization and help foster a true sense of community, despite being sidelined in the virtual world for most of these past two years.
 
We’re so grateful to each one of our 80+ volunteers/facilitators for having shared their time, talents, kindness, and love with us and those we serve. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for helping us make Cancer Lifeline the best place for cancer support services and improving the lives of so many individuals affected by a cancer diagnosis.
 
Each year, we endeavor to honor the best of the best with special recognition at our Impact Celebration. This year the following individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions:
 

Bethany Murphy, Board of Directors, immediate past Secretary, and all-around joy, recipient of the KARL & ELLEN ZAHLIS INSPIRATION AWARD
 
Ami Karnosh, Nutrition Instructor extraordinaire, recipient of the KARL & ELLEN ZAHLIS INSPIRATION AWARD
 
Catherine Hildyard, Gentle Yoga class Instructor/Wizard, recipient of the DOROTHY S. O’BRIEN EMPOWERMENT AWARD
 
Lorelle Del Matto, Big-Hearted Lifeline Volunteer, recipient of the SHIRLEY UTEVSKY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Pictured above, from Left: Lorelle Del Matto, Joseph Yurgevich, Meghan Melanson, Bethany Murphy, Catherine Hildyard & Basha Brownstein
Basha Brownstein,
Barbara Frederick Lifetime Achievement Award
On July 20, at our Impact Celebration, Cancer Lifeline also celebrated the incredible contributions of our colleague, Basha Brownstein, who celebrated 25 years of being a vital part of the Cancer Lifeline family and was awarded the special Barbara Frederick Lifetime Achievement Award. Basha, a resilient two-time cancer survivor was instrumental in the creation of our Healing Arts program which, at the time, was rare and innovative. By tapping into a universal language of creative expression, more people have been able to process the complex emotions that come with having a life-threatening diagnosis.
 
A social worker by training, Basha is a constant learner and could easily author a series of books focused on how to keep learning, growing, and applying those lessons to improving one’s life. Our clients have benefited tremendously from her emotional support and listening ear. From attending to clients on the Lifeline to facilitating and supporting classes and support groups, Basha is always there to fill a need with her can-do attitude.
 
It has been an honor to work with Basha and it is with great respect, admiration, and gratitude that we commend Basha for her good work and her 25 years of service to the community through Cancer Lifeline.
Our Sponsors Make It Possible
Cancer Lifeline is grateful for the leadership and support of the following sponsors:
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 ongoing support of our programs.
We are grateful for the support of members of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research 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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.


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.
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.



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.

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.
 

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.
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. We welcome them back for 2022.
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 steadfast support of Lilly as a sponsor of our fundraising events over the years. Our thanks to Advisory Board Member Nate Miles.
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.
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.
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 2022 sponsor.
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.


Thanks to the leadership of Board Director
Ben Hicks, Cancer Lifeline welcomes back Soundmark Wealth Management as a sponsor in 2022.
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.


This year's Fundraising with Friends event was sponsored by HomeLight, an innovative online real estate company dedicated to providing equitable solutions for all people interested in buying or selling a home.
Inquiries regarding opportunities to sponsor events and new online programs can be directed to Executive Director Joseph Yurgevich.