February 2024 News

Dear CanCare Family,

As we celebrate this season of love  and affection, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community of  supporters that surrounds us at CanCare. Valentine's Day is a time to reflect  on the power of love to heal, uplift, and inspire, and here at CanCare, we  are privileged to witness that power in action every day.  

To each and every one of you who supports  our CanCare mission—whether through your time, your talents, or your  generosity—we want to express our deepest thanks. Your love and support make  it possible for us to provide hope, comfort, and companionship to those  affected by cancer, and for that, we are truly grateful.

As we look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that the  new year may bring, let us carry forward the spirit of love and gratitude  that defines the CanCare community. Thank you for your unwavering support and  for your dedication to our mission.

Warmest  wishes,

Darcie  Champagne Wells

President and  CEO, CanCare Caregiver Volunteer

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By: Kris Kerlin, Director of Mission Impact

In the midst of the  cancer journey, where information inundates you from all  directions – be it from your doctors, family, or friends – CanCare volunteers  extend the invaluable gift of listening.

Listening enables individuals facing cancer to navigate  not only the external barrage of information but also the internal questions,  concerns, and emotions.

The ability to hear oneself, be heard by  another, and then have one's words reflected back in a compassionate manner  can signify the distinction between dwelling in fear and progressing with  hope.

The  art of listening is something that is central to the training that we provide  to our CanCare volunteers because we know that there is  healing power in presence and attentive listening. As we listen, we come to  know more about the person speaking and their experience of their life. 

Though we share the experience of cancer,  each unique journey is a sacred path to be heard, honored and  embraced. Thank you CanCare volunteers  for showing your love through listening! Please download our handout Prove  You Heard for more ways to listen. 

Click HERE for more tips on listening. 

Click HERE to access a poem about listening.

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By: Daniella  Martinez, 
Client & Volunteer  Relations Specialist

We are honored to feature CanCare Volunteer Lauren Liggett! 

Lauren provides support for CanCare clients as well as calls  recent volunteers that have been matched to see how the connection is going.  She is very active in our CanCare community and shows every day how much she  loves helping others. 

Lauren shared with us her story of how she came to CanCare…

"I first heard about CanCare from a nurse in the hospital  where I had surgery to have a port installed. She gave me a brochure which I  tucked away in case I should need it in the future. At the time that I went  through my treatments I had a good base of friends and church family that  were a big help to me. It wasn't until a few years after my treatment that I  contacted CanCare to see if I could become a volunteer.

I wish that people could know how friendly and helpful the  CanCare organization is. The staff and volunteers are genuinely interested in  helping others. It is a blessing to offer encouragement to cancer patients  and survivors. It is so satisfying to talk with a CanCare client and hear  them say, 'You are such an encouragement to me.'

Going through cancer really strengthened my faith in God. So  many people were praying for me, and I felt so loved and cared for. People  brought my family many meals as I went through my treatments. I really could  feel God's love for me as He used people to be His hands and feet in my life.  I spent a lot of time in God's word and came to understand how the joy of the  Lord was my strength. I loved to read the book of Psalms. King David battled  his enemies that he wrote of in Psalms. His words encouraged me in my battle  against cancer."

Thank you, Lauren, for going above and beyond in everything  you do!

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According to  the American Cancer Society, African Americans have a higher cancer burden  and face greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and  survival.

Throughout #BlackHistoryMonth and beyond, CanCare remains committed to supporting  the Black community with emotional support by providing a survivor by the  side of anyone facing cancer.

Join us in spreading  hope, promoting early detection, and fostering a culture of support and  understanding. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of cancer care for all!

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We are  thrilled to announce Phoebe  and Bobby Tudor as Chairs for our 30th Annual HOPE Survivorship Luncheon on May 23, 2024.

High school  sweethearts from Louisiana, the Tudors are dedicated advocates for the arts,  education, social services, and public parks in Houston, TX.

Parents of  three children, they recently welcomed their first grandchild, Gigi. Their  passion and leadership will greatly benefit our cancer community through this  milestone event.

For more  details on the 30th  Annual HOPE Survivorship Luncheon, click HERE!

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