Dear Friends:
With most of 2020 thankfully in the rearview mirror, and in anticipation of the new year, all of us here at Lazarex wish you a most blessed and happy New Year. The hard lessons of 2020 have changed us all, and with so much growth and transformation occurring we've had to adapt in ways we didn't know we could. But we made it through with the tremendous outpouring of support from our donors, sponsors, grantors and volunteers. I'd like to thank our BOD, Council and Committee members who have provided crucial guidance to help us navigate these turbulent times. And I thank you, however you have supported Lazarex, our mission and the patients we serve.
Something you can be proud of is that despite the challenges we've faced, Lazarex has helped more patients than ever before! We have surpassed 1,000 patients assisted in 2020, up 33% from 2019. That is love in action.
The rest of my message is in the video below. Also please take a few moments to read the inspiring article from our Founder and CEO Dana Dornsife. Both are messages about silver linings and transformation among the challenges of 2020.
Our wish for you and your loved ones is that you remain safe and well, that you enter 2021 facing forward with courage, resolve and grace, and that together we find relief and an end to this pandemic.
With love,
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What I'm Grateful For In 2020
By Lazarex Founder and CEO Dana Dornsife
It has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people because of the pandemic and the many challenges that have come with it. But even in the hardest of times, we all have a choice whether or not we want to be consumed by the negative or seek out, acknowledge, and appreciate the silver linings.
This is a life lesson I am reminded of everyday thanks to the incredible and inspiring cancer patients we are blessed to work with at Lazarex Cancer Foundation. Even when they are facing daunting and life-threatening diagnoses, incredible economic challenges and their lives have been upended, I am consistently awed by the ability of these men, women and children to be filled with hope, and grateful for the good in their lives — no matter how hard life has become.
In the spirit of their resilience, optimism and positivity, here are 4 things I am grateful for in 2020:
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An Update from Gail Stover,
a Former Lazarex Very Important Patient (VIP)
Gail was assisted by Lazarex for ~2 years with his clinical trial travel expenses until his out of state trial in Oklahoma would not accept his home state insurance after the trial drug he was on was FDA approved. In late 2017 Gail started to receive treatments from his oncologist close to home. He is being treated for Merkel cell cancer, very rare and difficult to treat. This is his latest update:
December 2020
"Well, I got a Christmas present today from the oncologist. The new studies show that patients on Keytruda for 2 years without any tumors have a 50% chance of the Merkel cell not coming back. Those on Keytruda for 3 or more years have a 75% chances of a clean bill of health. I have been on Opdivo & Keytruda for almost 6 years WHICH THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE ON THE STUDY, SO I AM FREE OF INFUSIONS FOR 6 MONTHS, then scans and if still clean, I get another 6 months infusion free! I will still take a special blood test from Washington state (the only Merkel cell blood test in the country).
These 9 years have been hard on my body, mind, and bank account. But I am still here and ready to start a new shot at retirement. And guess what? I owe it all to Lazarex for helping me do the clinical trial. So here goes the next chapter in my wife's and my life!"
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Marya L. Shegog, PhD, MPH, CHES: Lazarex Health Equity and Diversity Coordinator |
Please welcome Marya Shegog to the Lazarex team in her new role as our Health Equity and Diversity Coordinator. Marya wraps up her service as a valued BOD member and Secretary with the close of 2020. She begins her new full time position with Lazarex in January 2021.
Marya's skills and wealth of experience will focus on our Community Impact program and help us work to, in her own words, "continue to aggressively integrate and diversify the story of Cancer."
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You Can Make a Difference - 2020 Year End Appeal |
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There is still time to contribute to our Year End fundraiser and help us reach our $90,000 goal to continue helping patients to participate in cancer clinical trials as we head into the new year.
Another Reason To Give: CARES Act 2020 tax benefits for cash charitable
gifts to Lazarex Cancer Foundation
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act can boost your charitable giving. Under the new law, for those of you who do not itemize your deductions, you can now deduct $300 per individual or $600 for married filing jointly, for an annual charity contribution. It is an “above the line” adjustment to income that will reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI), and thereby reduce taxable income. It applies to cash gifts made by check or credit card to qualified charities like Lazarex Cancer Foundation.
This provision has been extended through 2021!
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Major Victory for Thousands of Massachusetts Cancer Patients |
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Boston, MA December 23, 2020 – Lawmakers in the House and Senate on Wednesday approved a compromise healthcare bill known as “an Act promoting a resilient health care system that puts patients first.” A portion of the bill calls for reimbursing cancer patients for the out-of-pocket expenses associated with clinical trial participation and creating across the board reimbursement programs in the state.
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Thank You To Our Supporters |
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About Lazarex Cancer Foundation
We improve the outcome of cancer care, giving hope, dignity and life to advanced stage cancer patients and the medically underserved by providing assistance with costs for FDA clinical trial participation, navigation through clinical trial options, community outreach and education. We believe that together we can build a bridge to hope. To learn more, please contact us at 925.820.4517, toll-free at 877.866.9523, or visit us at www.lazarex.org.
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