Caregiver Profile

Meet Jennifer Leventhal

Caregiver to her daughter Danielle

“Being a primary caregiver for a young adult child was challenging, complicated, and heartbreaking, but it was also an honor and I consider it to be the most important and loving role a person can embrace.”

Danielle and Jennifer

In reflecting on my initial connection with SOUL RYEDERS, I have to say I am pretty sure it was serendipity. When our family moved from Chappaqua to Rye in 2018, my then 24 year old daughter Danielle was in remission from a rare form of cancer. I was looking for ways to become part of the community and heard about SOUL RYEDERS, so I reached out to volunteer. Just a few months later, Danielle’s cancer returned and the prognosis was dire. I realized that she (as a patient) and I (as a caregiver) needed support. Being a primary caregiver for a young adult child was challenging, complicated, and heartbreaking, but it was also an honor and I consider it to be the most important and loving role a person can embrace.

SOUL RYEDERS provided support to me in so many ways — from trained volunteers who listened and provided resources and ideas, to the care packages of homemade soups and craft projects that made the days a little bit easier, to programs with other caregivers to make sure we didn’t feel isolated.

I participated in a cooking class with other caregivers where we connected while learning to prepare delicious and nutritious new recipes. I joined the Grant Committee to take an active

role in helping SOUL RYEDERS support other cancer organiza tions who provide additional resources for the SOUL RYEDERS community. During the pandemic, my daughter and I participat ed in an online, personalized Facing Advanced Care Together (F.A.C.T.) program. Working with Stacy, the SOUL RYEDERS social worker, my daughter and I were able to focus on the most meaningful ways to face end-of-life fears. This had a significant impact on me and enabled me to have confidence that nothing was left unsaid and that my daughter’s wishes were honored.

If I could share any advice with another caregiver, it would be to realize that when you are providing care to a loved one with cancer, it is not the time to try to do everything yourself. Don’t be too proud to ask for help and be specific about what you need. Most people genuinely want to support you but they worry about being intrusive, so they will follow your lead and wait for you to ask. 

Jennifer and her family

A Note About My Daughter Danielle:

Two charitable organizations added joy and meaning to the last years of Danielle’s life. First Descents provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (ages 18 – 39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Danielle felt empowered to push herself beyond her diagnosis by “out living it” through outdoor adventures like ice climbing. SOUL RYEDERS taught her to accept the kindness and resources offered by incredible volunteers who support community members with cancer. In 2019, she introduced these two groups to one another, and they have collaborated since on programs to change the lives of other young adults battling cancer. Dreams played a major role in Danielle’s life and it was her dream to sprinkle joy through art and adventure to young adults dealing with cancer. This special connection is an integral part of Danielle’s Dreams and will continue to resonate with those she touched for many years to come.