CIRCLE OF HOPE PROVIDES A MULTITUDE OF resources for breast cancer patients

Peggy Anderson of Duluth is a 16-year breast cancer survivor. Now in remission, this retired teacher counts her blessings.

“I consider myself very lucky,” she said.

Years ago, Anderson and two of her friends, Peggy Rydberg and Tammy Graves Miller, battled the illness together. They learned, first-hand, of the many struggles breast cancer can present, including making ends meet financially while juggling medical bills.

The women wanted to do something to help others. In 2010, they formed Circle of Hope, now a well-known 501©(3) nonprofit organization. The group provides outreach, emotional support, supplies and even financial support for individuals fighting breast cancer in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Today, Anderson serves as the group’s coordinator, and they are governed by a five-member board of directors. Sadly, Rydberg succumbed to her illness in 2012, but the group soldiers on – both to honor her memory, but also to

Marion

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Then I began thinking of how all my life I’ve had bad hair days, and now I’d have no hair days. The oncologist added that maybe we could do a recurrence test. He said that if the score was low enough I wouldn’t need chemotherapy. That seemed like a no-brainer to me. He said he’d call the lab and they would use tissue from my support the many, many other women (and even a few men) who are diagnosed with breast cancer every day.

Outreach

While Circle of Hope doesn’t have formal support groups, Anderson often meets one-on-one with breast cancer patients to discuss their diagnosis.

“We’ve found that helping patients soon after their diagnosis is important,” she said.

Receiving emotional support from someone who has “been there” can do wonders for helping someone feel understood.

“Sometimes they just want to talk to someone,” Anderson added.

Supplies

Circle of Hope also supports breast cancer patients by sending out feel-good and educational boxes, containing chemo caps, slippers, and educational and disease-specific resources. Special surgery. With tears in my eyes, I just nodded.

October 31, on Halloween, I received the call. The results were in. My score was 27 and I wouldn’t need chemotherapy. I quickly thanked God. Then I was told I would need 33 radiation treatments. They would begin November 6.

Every day, Monday through Friday, I went to the oncology department at the hospital for quilts are provided to advanced breast cancer patients. Prayer shawls are also provided.

Many of these special items are hand-crafted by some of Circle of Hope’s 125 dedicated volunteers.

“This organization wouldn’t be able to help others without our volunteers,” Anderson said.

“We’ve given out over 6,000 chemo caps, and one of our volunteers alone has knit 782 of them.”

Circle of Hope also offers a free bag of goodies for breast and ovarian cancer patients. They are given out once per year at Heide’s Mastectomy Shop.

Financial support

Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. Some patients are homeless and have no health insurance. Others have insurance but struggle to pay the co-pays associated with their illness. Some patients even have to quit work to receive treatment.

For these patients, Circle of Hope can help pay their medical bills. Additionally, Circle of my treatments. The staff was super friendly. I do remember one particular day. After my treatment, I was having difficulty sitting up. One of the therapists said, “Take my arm. We’ve been taught to work with the elderly.” I didn’t say anything. I just bit my lip.

My mid-December my left breast looked like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s nose. December 24 was my last

Hope helps with house or rent payments, utility bills, and even donates gas and grocery cards –items which are especially helpful if a patient needs to travel to receive treatment.

Funding

Circle of Hope raises money through a variety of fundraising efforts, including the Rally for Circle of Hope, held annually at Ridgeview Country Club; the Pink Run, held in Gordon, Wis.; and by forming a team of runners to participate as a charity partner for Grandma’s Marathon. The group has participated in Superior’s Dragon Boat races, and has had golfing, bowling, ATV, and many other activity-based fundraisers. Additionally, many individual and business donors contribute to the cause.

Since its inception, Circle of Hope has paid forward $417,095 to local breast cancer patients. Anderson hopes to reach the milestone of a half-million by next year.

CIRCLE OF HOPE: Page 15 treatment. I came home with a certificate signed by all the staff and a Christmas afghan knit by a volunteer.

On December 25 Tom and I headed to Florida. Hopefully, my cancer is history. The only reminder is the 1 mg. Anastrozle pill I’ll be taking for the rest of my life. I jokingly tell people that after 33 radiation treatments, I light up in the dark so I no longer need a nightlight in the bathroom.