Honor a Cancer Survivor: Spring 2023

Dear friend,

My name is Teresa. I am 53 years old. I am a mother to four children and a grandmother to six boys – yes, all boys!

You don’t know me, but I know something we probably have in common.

I am a cancer patient and a survivor to triple positive breast cancer. You likely have a special person in your life who has experienced a cancer diagnosis like me. A Grandma. Uncle. Mom. Dad. Husband. Sister. Neighbor. Maybe even yourself.

On June 4, you are invited to join John Stoddard Cancer Center and communities around the world to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day®. A day dedicated to those who have survived, inspiring those recently diagnosed and a day to acknowledge family members, friends and oncology health care providers who have walked alongside patients in their journeys.

This Cancer Survivors Day®, I will not only celebrate the amazing support I received from my family, friends and coworkers throughout my journey but also recognize the care and dedication my doctors and nurse navigator, Jen, provided at Stoddard Cancer Center.

My care team took the time to answer every question my sister and I had and helped us better understand my cancer diagnosis – I will always be thankful for their guidance.

Your support is needed.

You can celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day® by making a gift in honor of a cancer survivor, their loved one or a care provider at Stoddard Cancer Center who is special to you.

With your donation of $25 or more, you can write a message honoring a cancer survivor, loved one, nurse or doctor at Stoddard Cancer Center who made a difference in your life. Cards received by June 4 will be displayed in the Stoddard Cancer Center’s lobby for all to see, providing inspiration for all who pass by throughout the month of June.

100% of your special gift will support free programs and services at Stoddard Cancer Center like our Oncology Navigators, support groups, What’s On Your Mind free counseling services, the Pink Days Free Mammogram Program and our Meals That Matter programs. Your gift today will help cancer survivors live their best possible lives after diagnosis and treatment.

Throughout my treatment, the saying “hope is stronger than fear” reminded me to never lose hope even when it felt impossible. As I write this letter, I am slowly starting to feel like the person I was before my cancer diagnosis. I will always remember how far I have come in my cancer journey thanks to the support and strength I have received from my friends, family, health care providers and fellow survivors.

Thank you,

Teresa Manfull

Cancer Survivor

P.S. We invite all cancer survivors, along with their families, friends and caregivers, to enjoy a day at Smash Park! Join us Sunday, June 4 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Smash Park. RSVP at bit.ly/unitypoint-events-cancer-survivors-day or call 515-241-4141.

Donate online: bit.ly/JSCC-Cancer-Survivors-Day