4 minute read
Doug's Cancer Journey: Year End 2023
Dear friend,
What do you wish for this holiday season?
I can tell you for patients at John Stoddard Cancer Center, it’s not wrapped under the tree.
They don’t want a flatscreen TV, a new sweater or a travel coffee mug.
This holiday season, they wish for…
The latest treatment.
A cure.
Comfort. Hope. And appreciation for the little things in life.
Your support makes holiday wishes like this come true for patients going through their cancer journey. Just ask Doug.
Doug had always been active through running, riding his bike and playing golf. He first noticed something was wrong after going for routine runs and over time not being able to make it around the block. After experiencing flu-like symptoms every few months, Doug finally went to the doctor.
After he received countless blood tests, CT scans and finally a colonoscopy, Doug received his diagnosis – stage four colon cancer.
No one can prepare you for that moment. Doug was devastated. At first, all he could do was hold his wife and cry.
After the initial shock, Doug quickly met with his care team at Stoddard Cancer Center and immediately knew he was in good hands. “My mind was going a million different directions. Suddenly it hit me. ‘I’ve got this!’ I made up my mind right then and there that I would get through this,” says Doug.
For days, weeks, months he fought the disease with everything he had. Thanks to donors, Doug was never alone.
His care team never wavered in delivering specialized care and the optimism he needed. Everyone took the time to celebrate the good days and provided extra love and care on the hard ones.
For Doug, part of that care team was his Oncology Navigator, Jenny. The two built a connection and navigated through Doug’s treatment journey together.
“From the very beginning, Jenny put me and my wife’s mind at ease,” says Doug. “I had to work full-time throughout my cancer journey. With Jenny’s help, I could just focus on my treatment. Having peace of mind like that was priceless.”
This is where your support is truly felt. With your commitment, you extend a helping hand to the teams who make it their mission to help cancer patients feel safe and cared for.
You can give one of the greatest gifts this holiday season. Every time you give to Stoddard Cancer Center, every dollar – 100% of it – goes directly to helping patients.
This holiday season, will you bring the gift of comfort and healing to cancer patients like Doug?
The programs and services supported by donors are invaluable. Your donation takes away stress and worry and makes a patient’s care journey feel easier to handle.
Today Doug celebrates four years of being cancer free, but your support is still needed, now more than ever. Please take a moment and send a special year-end gift and give strength to more patients throughout their toughest times.
“It’s hard to quantify in dollars how valuable these programs and services are,” says Doug. “Just know your gift makes this awful disease seem a little easier to handle. You can help take some of the stress away from an extremely stressful experience. Thank you.”
This important work can’t be done without you. I hope patients like Doug can count on your support this season.
Peace and blessings,
Andrew Nish, M.D.
Medical Director, John Stoddard Cancer Center
P.S. Outstanding cancer care depends on strong donor support. Your support − 100% of it − is dedicated to advancing the compassionate care provided at Stoddard Cancer Center this holiday season. Please use the link below to make your year-end tax-deductible gift by December 31. Thank you!
MAKE A GIFT ONLINE: https://bit.ly/JSCCHOLIDAYWISHES
VIEW PHOTOS OF DOUG'S JOURNEY:
