January 2025 News

Dear CanCare Family,  

Happy New Year! As we welcome the start of another year, we  want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you—our donors, clients, and volunteers—for your unwavering support, compassion, and dedication throughout the past year.

Looking back, 2024 was a year of growth, resilience, and impactful connections within our community. Thanks to your generosity and commitment, we were able to:

 
• Expand our reach, providing hope and support to more individuals and families navigating the challenges of cancer.
 
• Introduce new programs and services designed to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
 
• Strengthen our volunteer network, empowering more individuals to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
 

Your  contributions, whether through financial support, volunteer hours, or simply spreading the word about our mission, have made an incredible impact. Together, we have fostered a community of care and encouragement that continues to inspire us every day.

As we step into 2025, we are filled with hope and determination to build on this momentum. We look forward to continuing our mission of providing emotional support and practical resources to those  affected by cancer as we celebrate our 35th  anniversary of serving our cancer community! With your ongoing partnership, we know we can achieve even greater things.

From all of us at CanCare, thank you for being an essential part of our journey. We wish you and your loved ones a year filled with health, happiness, and meaningful moments.

Warm regards,

Darcie Champagne Wells

President and CEO, CanCare Caregiver Volunteer

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Meet Marlene Bocanegra, our incredible 2024 Volunteer of the Year! Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Marlene has dedicated 22 years to serving the community as a  nurse for the county. She and her husband recently discovered their love for pickleball, and it’s quickly become one of their favorite activities.   

In August 2022, Marlene’s life took a turn when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. During one of her infusion sessions, she asked about support groups, hoping to connect with someone who truly understood her journey. 

That’s when she found CanCare, and she describes it as “a blessing  to be able to talk and share our journeys with each other.”     

Now, Marlene has taken her experience and turned it into a mission of love and support. As a first-year CanCare volunteer, she has gone above and beyond, taking on many other volunteers and making a meaningful impact. Her kindness, faith, and personal story have made her a highly sought-after mentor, especially as one of our very few Spanish-speaking volunteers and a colon cancer survivor. She’s passionate about being there for others, sharing stories, and reminding everyone: “We are NOT alone.”

Marlene’s commitment to spreading the love of the Lord and supporting other cancer survivors has inspired us all. Thank you, Marlene, for your compassion, strength,    and dedication. You are truly one of a kind!

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To everyone who participated in our Hope for the Holidays campaign—thank you! Because of your kindness, funds were raised to start the new year ready to provide hope and support to over 2,300 people facing cancer and their caregivers. Your generosity allows us to grow our mission each year and ensures that no one has to face  cancer alone. We are deeply grateful for your support!  

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Dr. Ishwaria Subbiah’s passion for oncology started early, inspired by her family’s legacy in medicine. Today, she leads advancements in palliative care, focusing on  improving life at every stage of illness.

Her advice for patients? Advocate for yourself, share your story, and explore every option. Your voice has power!  

Tune in to  hear her story on Hope in the Face of Cancer. Listen via: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts!