volume 10 | fall 2015

the newsletter of the cancer support community east tennessee

communityconnections

About one woman in eight will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life, by American Cancer Society estimates. And yet, when you’re that woman hearing that diagnosis, it’s easy to feel alone, Wendy West said. After her surgery, waiting to talk to a radiologist, she saw some information on the Cancer Support Community.

“I literally walked in the door and said, ‘Help me,’” West said, and was invited to a weekly support group. “There was my first group of friends and support and people I could cry to and be with, who understood exactly what I was feeling.”

Five years later, she’s still coming, not as much for “support,” but for friendship, for classes – and to reach back and offer guidance to people now headed where she has already gone.

“When you’re going through a life transition, you want to be with like people,” said Charlie Brown, who met West in that support group; they’ve

remained close friends. “You don’t want to put the burden on your family, because they’re

just as afraid as you are. I wanted to come someplace where I could cry, and it was comfortable, and it was safe.”

Brown and Donna Mara Hardy, whom she met in yoga class, have become “ambassadors,” taking information especially into the black community, where, Brown said, women are sometimes less likely to seek out screening or support.

“What I found was when I allowed other people to gift me with their love and whatever they had to offer, I was also gifting them – we’re offering a blessing by allowing other people to be in that space,” said Pam Bradshaw, who teaches a yoga class Hardy and Brown attend and has had two cancer diagnoses – one in 1996 and another in 2000.” … I accepted rides to radiation treatments,

Continued on page 7.

Forgingfriendships

Cancer brought women into a caring communityBy Kristi L. Nelson

Breast cancer survivors Sarah MacKenzie, left, Charlie Brown and Wendy West – all friends who met in the Cancer Support Community group – share a laugh while chatting at Cherokee Mills on Sept. 16.

Officers of the BoardRobert N. Page, MD – PresidentKaren L. McKinney – Vice PresidentRobert Noell – SecretaryDoug Arnold – Treasurer

Board of DirectorsSteve ArnettChristi Branscom Paige ChristenberryMeghann ErhartKathy GethersRanee Taylor Guard, PhD Jennifer HolderSue McKenzie HumbleMalinda LittleSusan Martin, PhDLeslie Parent Jim Parris David RaubachDeborah StevensDoug Webster

Hospital RepresentativesKaren L. McKinney Tennova Healthcare

Ann Henderlight Covenant Health/Thompson Cancer Survival Center

Steve Ross, DPh UT Medical Center

Founding MembersLindsay Young (1913-2006)Rachael YoungRobert Young (1913-2009)

Professional Advisory BoardJohn Anderson, MDJohn L. Bell, MDRobert Bertoli, MDRaymond Brig, MDKenneth Cofer, MDRussell DeVore, MDTracy Dobbs, MDPaul Dudrick, MDAllan Grossman, MDWahid Hanna, MDDon Heiser, MDDaniel Ibach, MDKamilia Kozlowski, MDRonald Lands, MDRichard Lee, MDDavid Martin, MDThomas McDonald, MDTom Morgan, MDWilliam Muse, MDTim Panella, MDPeggy Pierce, PhDAlan Solomon, MDClifton R. Tennison, Jr., MDMargo Uri, MD

Honorary LIfetimeGail Grossman

STAFF LIST

Beth Hamil, Executive DirectorDebra Sullivan, PhD, Program DirectorKathleen Williams, LCSW, Program AssociateLisa Fisher, Director of Finance & Statistics

Justin Hutchison, MPH, Community Education ManagerAshley Siferd, Office & Database Manager

communitynotes

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CLINICAL ASSOCIATESKathy Ehrnschwender, PhD Phillip Johnson, PhD

In 2015 Cancer Support Community reached a milestone as we celebrated 25 years of service in East Tennessee. 25 years of providing, at no charge, professional services of support and education to people facing cancer and their loved ones, including children.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2015 INCLUDE:

• New programs on topics such as Navigating the Insurance Maze, Immunotherapy 101, Cancer Survivorship and the 4-day, Kid Support Camp

• Breast Cancer Support group located in West Knoxville

• Member visits up 5%

• Mobile ready and user-friendly, new website

But we still have work to do.

Cancer Support Community has joined with the Beck Cultural Exchange Center to explore ways to eliminate cancer and health disparities in our community. We have held two community forums to learn more about the issues and look forward to a community-wide partnership aimed at reducing the health inequities that currently exist.

As we extend our reach into the community, we will never lose sight of why our services matter. When feeling vulnerable, as one does when facing cancer, the support of others who have been there and understand, can provide much needed comfort. We pledge to never lose sight of our vision that no one faces cancer alone.

2230 Sutherland AvenueKnoxville, TN 37919P: (865) 546.4661F: (865) 522.0938info@CancerSupportET.org

Administrative HoursMonday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.www.CancerSupportET.org

Robert N. Page, MD Board President

Beth Hamil Executive Director

from the Board President

and Executive Director

community programs

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CSC held a Family Fun Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31. Children and parents had fun decorating pumpkins to reflect their personal strengths. Party goers also learned

to make and then enjoyed eating healthy, Halloween-themed snacks.

Being Diagnosed with Cancer or Having a Loved one Diagnosed with Cancer is Stressful! When feeling stress or anxiety, we tend to subtly and not so subtly constrict our muscles, breath and thoughts. Our

shoulders, back, neck or stomach may tighten. Our breath becomes shorter and rapid, and we breathe from the chest

versus deep belly breaths. Our thoughts tend to constrict to worrisome, negative thinking with fewer options for

positive thoughts and experiences to enter our minds and lives.

Cancer Support Community provides several weekly programs that address all three of these areas of constriction

and help promote relaxation of body, mind and spirit. Tai Chi, Meditative Yoga and Restorative Yoga focus on relaxing

tightened muscles, calming the mind and easing our breathing. Tension builds over time and the key to more comfort

and ease is consistently engaging in these practices that focus on letting go of tension. Come to a class to see how the

practices of Tai Chi and yoga can provide you with more easeful living during stressful times.

A special thanks to program volunteers

Lynn Anderson, RN, MSN, RMT, CQTPLinda Barnett, M.M.Beth Booker, MS, MPH, RDDonna DoyleKristina Gordon, PhDShelley HechtDaniel Ibach, MDTiffany Jones Sipe, FNP-BC, MSN, BSNKathy Kearse, PT, CLT-LANAMissy KennedyViren LalkaLisa Oglesby, PhDHaley Pace, MS, LCGCBrian SaleskyRussell SaulsRachel Schlafer-PartonAnne SprouseJ. Francis Turner Jr., MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCMTamara Vern-Gross, DO, FAAPRev. Caroline VogelAnice Watson, MS, LCGCJill Weberding, BSN, MPH, OCN

Michelle BakerLeslie BauguesPam BradshawCharlie BrownMylissa ButtramSherry ChobanianJohn ClarkBarbara CrotzerBob CrouchFrances DoLucy EmbryMegan FisherMarianne GansleyBill GoldmanTanner HamilDonna HardyMary HarrisBarbara Hill

Heather McKinneyVictoria MedagliaLinda MilanErin MorrisCarrie MyersBonnie PartonMonica PetreeCheri PollackJennifer SatterstromChuck SchuchartMatheson TaylorLibba WallWendy WestJim WordenLinda WordenZeta Tau Alpha Sorority

Thanks to these professionals who have donated CSC programs

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Celebrating the

of SurvivorshipArt

2015

Board of Directors

Luncheon Committee

Steve ArnettJ. Douglas ArnoldChristi W. BranscomPaige ChristenberryMeghann ErhartKathy Gethers

Ranee Taylor Guard, PhDAnn HenderlightJennifer HolderSue McKenzie HumbleMalinda LittleSusan Martin, PhD

Karen L. McKinneyRobert NoellRobert N. Page, MD, PresidentLeslie ParentJim Parris

David RaubachSteve R. Ross, DPhThe Hon. Deborah StevensRachael Young, FounderDoug Webster

Courtnay BakerJenny BrockIleen CheekSherry Chobanian

Andrea DuncanMarty HancockSue McKenzie Humble Jennifer Holder

Connie HutchinsChris KahnMalinda Little, ChairJane Martin

Leslie ParentJoAnn ParkerLinda Tisdale

communityevents

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORSPRESENTINGProvision CARES Foundation

PLATINUMAnn & Steve BaileyMarty & Jim BegallaUniversity of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute

DIAMONDCrowne Plaza Knoxville

GOLDFirst Tennessee FoundationGenentechHanna Cancer AssociatesHome Federal BankDr. & Mrs. Robert N. PagePathology Partners Network/Dermatopathology PartnersTeamHealthThompson Cancer Survival Center

SILVERAbercrombie RadiologyClayton Bank & TrustKnoxville Comprehensive Breast CenterLeConte Wealth Management, LLCSusan Martin, PhDMartin & CompanySageView Advisory GroupSummit Medical Group – Diagnostic ImagingWoolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, PLLC

Cancer Support Community hosted its annual Fall Luncheon, Celebrating the Art of Survivorship, on October 8, 2015.

Guests were singing along with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman as she opened with “This Kiss,” the mega-hit that earned her Songwriter of the Year in 1999! She wowed the crowd with the groundbreaking “Sand & Water,” released following the death of her husband from cancer in 1994, and later performed by Elton John. Beth credits both music and the support she received at Gilda’s Club, Cancer Support Community’s Nashville affiliate, with shaping her healing process following her

own diagnosis and treatment from breast cancer. She now teaches creativity workshops to help others use art and music to cope with life’s challenges.

Heartfelt thanks goes to emcee Tearsa Smith, news anchor at WATE Channel 6, and the hardworking and talented committee members who made this luncheon a huge success: Chair Malinda Little, Courtnay Baker, Jenny Brock, Ileen Cheek, Sherry Chobanian, Andrea Duncan, Marty Hancock, Jennifer Holder, Connie Hutchins, Chris Kahn, Leslie Parent, Jo Ann Parker, Kim Robinette and Linda Tisdale.

We very much appreciate our sponsors, table hosts and auction donors whose generosity enabled CSC to raise more than $92,000.

communityevents

Hosted by Dee Lockwood-Hicks of Sweet Pea, the 5th annual Paint

Your Pumpkin was a huge success! Wivick the Frog from WIVK radio

stopped by to paint a pumpkin and mingle with guests. Members of

the Junior League of Knoxville’s “Done-in-a-Day” committee provided

volunteer support. Michelle Baker hosted the 2nd annual Toddler

Paint involving younger children in the pumpkin painting fun!

5th annual Paint Your Pumpkin

After Hours Shopping Event

Join us for wine & refreshments and a private shopping experience!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 FROM 5:00-8:00 p.m.

145 South Forest Park Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37919 (next to the Grill at Highlands Row)

Join us for the Blackhorse Pub Holiday Fundraiser

Proceeds benefit Cancer Support Community

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 6:00-9:00 p.m.

At Blackhorse Pub & Brewery, 4429 Kingston Pike in Western Plaza

Don’t be a cotton headed ninny muggins!

One $10 ticket includes one pint of any Blackhorse Brew and appetizers. Guests are encouraged to come in their tackiest holiday sweater!

To purchase tickets call (865) 546-4661 or visit our Special Events page at www.CancerSupportET.org

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Carleo Entertainment held the 1st annual I Hate Cancer Pub Crawl, in loving

memory of Jeffery Martin Chaffin, at the following Old City

Night Clubs: The Bowery, Carleo’s, Hanna’s, NV Nightclub,

and Southbound. The Spinal Tappin Docs, along with other

local talent, entertained guests and helped raise awareness

and funds for Cancer Support Community.

Thank you to Three Rivers Market and all of their customers

who “rounded up” for CSC in

September. Three Rivers Market

is located at 1100 N. Central St. and features fresh, organic

produce, a fabulous hot bar and many local products.

Coming soon!

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

SAVE THE DATE!

Swofford Financial and Case Antiques hosted an Antique & Art Appraisal Fair at the Tellico Village Yacht Club on October 9.

Proceeds from the event benefited Cancer Support Community.

community contributorsWe are truly thankful for the generosity of our donors, both monetary and in-kind. Your gifts make it possible for Cancer Support Community to provide services at no charge for families facing cancer. Donations listed were received through October 31, 2015. Donations posted after that date will be recognized in our next newsletter.

Special thanks to TOMATO HEAD and MELLOW MUSHROOM for regularly donating lunches for our programs. No gift is too small and 99% of all funds raised stay right here in East Tennessee. In addition to cash or in-kind donations, CSC is able to accept gifts of personal property and stock. If you would like to discuss how you can make a difference, please contact Beth Hamil today. (865) 546-4661 or BHamil@CancerSupportET.org

Contributions were made IN MEMORY ofRobert AboudBob AlleyAnn Rees BrightJeffery Martin ChaffinJeanne DavisRobert "Bob" GormanMark "Jake" JacobsMary Lue JollyJanet LundyGerard NardoneSarah PresleyJoyce ReevesThomas "Tom" RinehartSarah Elaine TinderShelley WilliamsLindsay YoungRobert Young

Contributions were made IN HONOR ofHanna Blair Paige ChristenberryVicki ClickPaul Dudrick Jennifer HolderSue & Randy HumbleDaniel Ibach Mark Kelley Becky LittleStephen LoganJen ManneschmidtJulie McCallieKaren McKinneyPam MichelsonGene Overholt Leslie ParentKendale Ritchey Julie & Cowan RodgersChris Sawyer Beatrice & Gisele ScottLibba & Jim WallJill WeberdingNancy WhiteJames "Bimbo" Wright DONORSAbercrombie RadiologySusan AdkissonCherie AlleyBonnie & Richard AndersBonnie & David AndersonDenise AndersonAnonymousBarbara & Steve Apking

Doug ArnoldRosa ArroyoArt Fund of East Tennessee FoundationArts & Culture Alliance of Greater KnoxvilleThe Aslan FoundationLauren AuslanderLinda BaileyMichelle & Myles BakerSusan BalesMarty & Jim BegallaLinda BehrendBarbara & Bernie BernsteinLisa BlakleyAnita BlatnikBlue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Community TrustVery Rev. David BoettnerPam BradshawMary Ellen & Steve BrewingtonShelly & Hugh BrightJenny BrockJan BroomeMary Beth & Joe BrowderPatty BrunsWendy BuchheitKathy & John BuckinghamLynn BuffingtonLana BurlAileen BurnsideErica ButlerMargaret ButlerBetty & Carl CampbellJuanita & Ron CampbellCarleo EntertainmentLynn Champion & Joseph MazzolaIleen & Jimmy CheekMelissa & Walt ChilesPaige ChristenberrySigurd ChristensenClayton Bank & TrustClayton Family FoundationKay ClaytonDiana CondonEmily CoxChristopher CraigJane & Kenneth CreedBetsey CreekmoreCallie CullomBarbara & Bill CunliffeElizabeth CurryRandal DabbsMary Daniel-ByronJoan & John DawsonCindi DeBusk

Alix DempsterJanie & Bill DempsterDonna & John DempsterDermatopathology Partners PCJim DicksonSusan DoddDr. Troxell's Anti-Aging CentreJeannie DulaneyEast Tennessee Children's HospitalJohnna EasterPatti EdwardsValerie EilerMarcia ElamLynne FainPam FanslerSusan & Kent FarrisMelissa FeinbaumAlice Feldman & Albert GoodEdna FeulnerFirst Tennessee FoundationToby FleischmanCindy FloresAnna & Tom FordDawn FordRick Fox & Ralph CianelliJenny FreemanFSG BankLynne FugateSusan FuhrAnn & Ralph GageRosemary GartnerGail GeijerGenentechElise GiannasiCatherine GilreathAnn & Dick GoldstineVernell & Erskin GraySandra GreearGail & Allan GrossmanRanee & Mark GuardBeth & Mike HamilRandy & Richard HamilKathy HamiltonPam & Steve HamptonMarty & Al HancockElizabeth HanesHanna Cancer AssociatesMichelle HardinJanet & Tom HarperMelissa HarrisonLorraine HartLinda & John HaynesHealing with HarmonyKatie & Neil HeatherlyAnn Henderlight

Helen HewittHG&A AssociatesBarbara & David HillBarbara & Ed HilliardJenny HinesMaggie & Richard HintonMarie HoferHome Federal BankJulia HoppeRenee HoyosAnn & Joe HuieSue & Randy HumbleJulie HuneycuttConnie & Ron HutchinsIGAWAGA, Inc.Jacki ImbreyInfo-GraphicsDenise JacksonBenjamin JenningsLisa Jensen-LongNancy JohnsBarbara & Howard JohnstonBill JollyDeborah JonesRebecca JudyChris & Robert KahnJoan KearneyBrenda KellyKaren KendrickEstate of John M. KennerlySaundra KirilukLaurie KnoxKnoxville Comprehensive Breast CenterNadia KogelerNan & Alan KrichinskyKroger FoundationMarsha KughlerKatie LanePatricia LarcombLBMCKim LauthLeConte Wealth ManagementJudy & David LeeKaren & Robert LevyMalinda & Powell LindsayJennifer & John LittleMalinda & Ford LittleBecky LittleNancy & Michael LofaroMichael LucasCarole LundinLucille LutonDeb LutzGay LyonsRandy MacDonaldKay & Bill MannJen Manneschmidt

Kyle MarshallMartin & CompanyFenton MartinJane & Larry MartinSusan MartinNan & Art MatternTammy & Frank MatternAnne & Bill MayBrenda "Bee" McCalliePam McClainTravis McFallsKaren McKinney & John TaylorPat & Mark MedleyAlice MercerMeridian Trust & Investment CompanyCarol MerrillLinda MilanDiane & Randy MillerSusan MillerSharon MooreTerry MorganMount Rest Fund of East Tennessee FoundationMary MuirLeAnn MynattMarie NelsonAmy NolanOak Ridge Firefighters AssociationBetsy & John O'ConnorOnyx Pharmaceuticals Inc.Jane PalmerLori PalmerBarry ParasramLeslie ParentJo Ann ParkerJames ParrisPilot Flying JPinnacle Financial PartnersPirate Girl PRPremier Surgical Associates, PLLCNancy & Don PrestonProcess Systems and Services, Inc.Provision CARES FoundationPublix Super Markets CharitiesJoni PunchBernadette RedanoRegal FoundationRegions Private Wealth ManagementJanice & Conrad ReinhardtMary Frances RestrepoMay RhodesAmy & Cammack Ricks

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community contributors Hannelore & Paul RinehartKatherine Collins Roddy & J.P. Roddy, Sr. FundKate RosenAndreas RuggieSageView Advisory GroupDiana SarkarTrey SartenFran ScheidtNancy SchowalterWendy SchuetzSpain & Richard SecristSherry ShepherdEmily ShermanDouglas ShoverPriscilla & Thomas SilerMargo Uri SimmonsKathleen & John SinclairAnn SkadbergLynn SmithNancy SnyderRuth Louise StaufferAndralynn SterchiCarol StrattonJonathan StreepDebra SullivanMargaret & Tom SullivanMary SullivanSummit Medical Group, PLLCPeggy & Steve SwindlehurstSummer Tannhauser

TeamHealthTennessee Arts CommissionTennessee Cancer SpecialistsTennessee Opportunity Programs, Inc.Tennova HealthcareThompson Cancer Survival CenterThree Rivers MarketJanice ThrelkeldKaren TindalJanet & Steve TinderLinda TisdaleBeth & Neil TremaineThomas UngsUT Campus ChestUT Medical Center Cancer InstituteMegan VenableLibba WallSusan & Martin WhitakerAndrea WhiteAnne WhiteJacqui Whittemore & Andrew MacDonaldWhole Foods MarketAmy WilbanksDenise WilliamsKathleen M. WilliamsPamela & Alfred WohlpartWoolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, PLLCNancy Wright

Theresa WrightJenni WylieMona WylieCathy & William YoumansJo Zarger

IN KIND DONORSBonnie AndersArrowmont School of Arts & CraftsAshe's Wine & SpiritsMarge BakerMarty BegallaBennett GalleriesBiltmore EstateMary BogertBoyd's Jig & ReelChristi BranscomBrater CeramicsBreezeway YogaJenny BrockPat BrownCachepotCedar Bluff CyclesCherokee Country ClubChic Additions - EtceteraChick-fil-APaige ChristenberryCitico's Restaurant & ClubClancy's TavernClarence Brown TheaterColorful Clay

Crowne Plaza KnoxvilleCru Bistro & Wine BarDiana Warner StudioDollywood ParksDowntown Grill & BreweryEssential CareEst8teFig & CompanyJessie FriedmanFriend of CSCFunctional FunkG & G InteriorsGallaher Spa MDMarianne GansleyJudi GastonGlass BazaarGROW SalonHairpeaceRandy HamilConnie & Ron HutchinsJudith Bright NashvilleSheila KellerKentucky Horse ParkKitty Siegel DesignKnoxville Food ToursKnoxville OperaKnoxville ZooLaws Interiors & DesignLilly Pulitzer-Palm VillageM.S. McClellanMackley Jewelers & Gemologists

MarkmansMichael Peters HomeTracy MorganNorthshore BrasserieNot Watson's Kitchen & Bar Oak Ridge Country ClubRegions BankRuth's ChrisSapphireJohn SheridanSkin Fusion KnoxvilleSole in the CitySuttrie's High Gravity TavernThe Buckhorn InnThe Lodge at Buckberry CreekThe Oliver HotelThe OrangeryThe Shrimp DockTheater Knoxville DowntownJanice ThrelkeldTim Weberding WoodworkingBill TubervilleUT AthleticsUT Chancellors OfficeDebra Van MeterWallace Paper CompanyDoug WebsterHerb Williams

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Continued from Page 1

and food, and invitations for people to come with me to doctor’s appointments.”

For Sarah MacKenzie, diagnosed 10 years ago, the center has become a place she can come to talk about cancer – or not. “I don’t consider myself in remission; I consider myself cured,” she said. “There are now whole days that go by, and I don’t even think about it. … Then, it was my whole life. Now, it’s probably 10 percent. But it’s still there.”

The support groups offered something else: a glimpse of what life looks like if treatment doesn’t work. Each of the women made, then lost, friends who didn’t survive cancer.

“However, they survived the stages they were in with so much dignity,” Brown said. “They were not afraid. It almost made you feel OK with even that, because they had found happiness at a point in their life where they were OK.”

They learned something from each of those friends.

“There were people succeeding and doing great and living for years and years, and there were people who weren’t,” West said. “And they were both role models in different ways.”

Copyright 2015, The Knoxville News Sentinel Used by permission. To view the entire article please visit: http://bit.ly/1MWsaRT

By registering and designating "Cancer Support Community East Tennessee," you will be supporting CSC with each Kroger purchase. Register at www.krogercommunityrewards.com or contact CSC for more information. Cards must be registered annually each August.

Kroger Supports CSC! Register your Kroger Plus Card today!

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

KNOXVILLE, TNPERMIT #195

2230 Sutherland AvenueKnoxville, TN 37919

The mission of the Cancer Support Community is to

ensure that all people impacted by cancer

are empowered by knowledge,

strengthened by action and sustained by

community.

Return Service Requested

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Forging

Support us when you shop this holidaySupport CSC by registering at smile.amazon.com and selecting Cancer Support Community East Tennessee as your preferred charity.

Inspired Creations Celebrating Courage and Survivorship is back!

Join us for hors d’oeuvres and a fabulous auction of upcycled and unique creations for the home

and garden by your favorite artists.

If you are interested in participating as an event sponsor, please contact Beth Hamil today

at BHamil@CancerSupportET.org or (865) 546-4661.

Save The DateFriday, April 15, 2016 • 6 p.m. The Atrium at Cherokee Mills

Honor your friends and family this holiday season and support those in our community facing cancer.

You can make a contribution in honor of or in memory of a special person or loved one, and Cancer SupportCommunity will send a holiday card acknowledging the gift to your designee.

Feel free to contact me to make the most of your donation.

All the best, Beth Hamil

A Meaningful Holiday Gift