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Hi, my name is Yoli and I'm a 12-year Stage 3 breast cancer survivor. I'm also the Executive Director and Founder of Cancer Kinship. I'm coming to you today as someone with a unique understanding of cancer patient and survivor needs. Not only did I fight my own cancer battle, but I also experienced cancer in two very personal ways: as a 10-year old child who watched my mother valiantly fight and lose her battle to metastatic breast cancer, and just five years ago when my sister also passed away after fighting metastatic breast cancer. I've also had the privilege of serving as a patient mentor and advocate for the past 10 years which opened my eyes to the many emotional and psychosocial challenges experienced by cancer patients that impact their quality of life and long-term health outcomes. |
After losing my sister to metastatic breast cancer, and processing my own grief, I found my purpose in life and made the decision to develop a nonprofit to address the mental health and emotional challenges experienced by cancer patients. Cancer Kinship has been operating since November 2018, and our programs were well underway when COVID-19 made its arrival. My heart has been in knots knowing just how fearful patients are, based on the calls we've been receiving. It's been especially challenging for the cancer community because they not only have to adjust to their lives as cancer patients, but are also feeling the impact of COVID as well. As we, the global community, adjust and cope with our “new normal” lives since COVID, one thing continues to ring true for us at Cancer Kinship:
Cancer Does Not Care About COVID-19!
Patients are still hearing the words, “You have cancer,” while attending doctor appointments alone due to social distancing requirements. Many patients are experiencing delayed doctor appointments as the medical community is transitioning to Tele-health as fast as they can in order to meet the needs of patients, virtually. Imaging, treatments and surgery appointments are being postponed or cancelled. For those who are able to keep their scheduled treatments and surgeries, many cannot have their loved ones by their side to bring them comfort and provide much-needed care. Furthermore, if patients experience adverse reactions to their treatments, they are fearful of going to the ER where they could be further exposed to the virus that is a threat to their vulnerable bodies. Moreover, COVID-19 has been disproportionately affecting communities that have fewer resources and the inequities of this pandemic are coming to light every single day. These are just snapshots of the impact of COVID-19 thus far on the cancer community. Its impact on long-term health outcomes of cancer patients is yet to be seen. Questions are unanswered, fear is rising and hope seems far away. Cancer patients are scared and need help now more than ever.
Cancer Kinship's Commitment to Serve Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
While the outpour of support has been primarily focused on greatly needed community safety net programs such as local food banks and housing programs, we made a strategic decision to move our mission forward and not only address the emotional impact of cancer, but also address the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients and survivors with resource navigation and support. As with many other local nonprofit and for-profit businesses, we are experiencing the financial impact of COVID-19 as it was necessary to cancel our in-person grassroots fundraising events that were scheduled this Spring and Summer. Additionally, many grant funders have shifted their priorities as they, too, are navigating the pandemic and are re-prioritizing their giving based on pressing community needs.
Understanding the importance of our mission during these critical times, Cancer Kinship’s Executive Council met for an emergency meeting to, not only discuss our organization’s current financial state, but to also activate a contingency plan that involved 100% personal giving that would empower Cancer Kinship to remain fiscally sound during these unpredictable times. These efforts allowed us to continue investing in our staff and operations while making investments in the technology that were needed to adapt our services and move into the virtual space.
We are excited to share that in the past few weeks, we have reached several important milestones that enabled us to move our mission forward. We reached our Council's 100% personal giving milestone and together we have raised $15,000 that will be used as a matching gift as we now shift our fundraising externally. We are excited to announce the we are launching a month-long community giving campaign on "Giving Tuesday Now" Global Giving Day, May 5th, to support Cancer Kinship's general operations that will allow us to continue offering virtual programs and services to help alleviate distress, inspire hope and give courage to the most vulnerable. Our campaign will run until National Cancer Survivor Day on Sunday, June 7th when we will celebrate our fundraising accomplishments with YOU - our community!
Cancer Kinship needs your help moving our mission forward as we continue to break barriers in order to alleviate distress and isolation experienced by cancer patients. We are grateful for your consideration. Since cancer does not care about COVID-19, let’s show cancer patients that we care about them! Together we can transform fear into hope!
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