Start a Cancer Education Foundation
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Please help Christine and Joel fulfill their dream of starting a non-profit foundation to educate people on the various ways to manage cancer and provide funding for cancer patients who cannot afford the integrative treatments they choose to pursue.
My name is Joel Bennett. One year ago, my wife, Christine Coleates, was diagnosed with the deadliest form of brain cancer on the planet - a Glioblastoma Multiforme. This is a stage IV primary brain tumor that grows very aggresively and, left untreated, has a life expectancy of only about two years. This news came out of the blue as her only presenting symptoms had been headaches and some tingling in her right arm as if it had gone to sleep, but after blacking out for a moment and almost falling at work, we took Christine to the ER where they discovered the tumor.
We have since been through two surgeries and two forms of treatment: the traditional chemo and radiation, and an integrative immunothaerapy treatment that we had to travel to Tijuana, Mexico to get since it is not approved by the FDA for doctors to use in the US. We had to raise money for this second treatment because none of it was covered by insurance. Due to all of this Christine is now considered permanently disabled and is no longer working. Since she requires 24/7 care I had to leave work as well to be her fulltime caretaker as we can not afford to pay someone for this.
In addition to all that we have been through, this disease has affected many others close to us. Christine's sister was diagnosed with rectal cancer three years ago and has been fighting it with everything she has since then. Breast cancer runs in her family. So much so that she has four cousins (all sisters) who have tested positive for the BRCA mutation and have taken steps to prevent the development of cancer. A few years ago, my aunt passed away from ovarian cancer and I lost an uncle to cancer when I was just a boy. Almost everyone I know has had someone they have lost to cancer or know someone who is currently facing it. But we believe that this does not have to be a death sentance!
While we were in Mexico in 2014, Christine and I realized and accepted that our lives were going to be forever changed. We began to pray and plan for a very different future than the one we thought we would be living. We had learned so much in such a short period of time about different ways of managing cancer, from detoxification through dietary changes, to the use of alternative medicine, to the power of essential oils, and more. These were all things that no traditional doctor in the United States would share with us. We researched and studied and tried new things.
Eventually we came to the decision that this was going to be our lives - we need to dedicate ourselves to helping cancer patients get the treatments they desire and deserve, and also educate the general public to the integrative, alternative, or immuno therapies out there that really do work.
Our dream is to start a nonprofit foundation expressly for this purpose. To that end, I am asking everyone to give and to give generously. We need to raise the startup money to get this foundation off the ground. A business plan is already being written as well as all of the other behind the scenes things that need to happen for this sort of company to work. Right now we are preparing for a cross country trip to raise more funding and spread the word about our soon to be foundation, but we need your help!
Our Vision
The vision of Chrissy’s Fund is to help every terminally ill patient to be able to afford the treatment of their choice for their disease without having to sacrifice their quality of life. We want to provide all the necessary resources Clinics and doctor’s need to give these patients a clean, modern, comfortable, and affordable experience during their therapy. Our aim is to inform every person in the United States of their options for medical treatment so that they can make an informed choice as to how they manage their illness.
Our Mission
Chrissy’s Fund brings HOPE to the terminally ill by providing options for integrative or alternative medical treatments, natural HEALING solutions, and new disease maintenance techniques in order to HELP them maintain the best possible quality of life.
Our Values
Attitude – Studies have shown that a person’s attitude towards life has a lot to do with how their bodies react to illness. By helping people to develop a positive attitude toward their life and their disease we will be helping them to overcome that disease and start down the path to healing themselves.
Communication – We believe that there is a severe lack of communication between health professionals and patients. We will inform people of all the facts regarding their diseases as well as all of the treatments available to them that exist outside the standard of care in the US.
Community – It is our desire to bring together people with the same illnesses so that they may learn from each other, share treatments that are working, and support each other on their journey toward healing. A sense of community provides hope, improves attitudes, and helps people not to feel alone in their struggle.
Empowerment – Doctors in America rarely communicate all of the information patients need regarding their conditions. Nor do they give them options outside of the accepted standard of care. Our foundation will provide people with all the information they need, both good and bad, so that they may be empowered to make their own decisions about their health.
Healing – Our goal is to connect all terminally ill patients to treatments that work for them so that they may experience true physical healing whenever possible. We also desire that they experience mental and emotional healing through community, hope, and positive attitudes.
Helpfulness – Our intentions are to help the terminally ill in all aspects of their life including finances, health care choices, information about their disease, emotional support, transportation arrangements, and anything else outside of the scope of their abilities.
Honesty – Honesty is important to our foundation because if there is a way to manage a disease outside of traditional care, people need to know so informed decisions can be made. The truth must be communicated.
Hope – Hope is perhaps the greatest value our foundation wishes to promote. Without the hope of a way to treat their sickness, people who are diagnosed as terminal will give up on a life that could be fulfilling and enjoyable.
Individuality – Everyone who comes to our foundation will be treated as an individual and their needs will be personally considered and addressed so that the best options can be considered to heal their entire person.
Please give what you can and help us give back to all of those in need who are suffering with cancer!
My name is Joel Bennett. One year ago, my wife, Christine Coleates, was diagnosed with the deadliest form of brain cancer on the planet - a Glioblastoma Multiforme. This is a stage IV primary brain tumor that grows very aggresively and, left untreated, has a life expectancy of only about two years. This news came out of the blue as her only presenting symptoms had been headaches and some tingling in her right arm as if it had gone to sleep, but after blacking out for a moment and almost falling at work, we took Christine to the ER where they discovered the tumor.
We have since been through two surgeries and two forms of treatment: the traditional chemo and radiation, and an integrative immunothaerapy treatment that we had to travel to Tijuana, Mexico to get since it is not approved by the FDA for doctors to use in the US. We had to raise money for this second treatment because none of it was covered by insurance. Due to all of this Christine is now considered permanently disabled and is no longer working. Since she requires 24/7 care I had to leave work as well to be her fulltime caretaker as we can not afford to pay someone for this.
In addition to all that we have been through, this disease has affected many others close to us. Christine's sister was diagnosed with rectal cancer three years ago and has been fighting it with everything she has since then. Breast cancer runs in her family. So much so that she has four cousins (all sisters) who have tested positive for the BRCA mutation and have taken steps to prevent the development of cancer. A few years ago, my aunt passed away from ovarian cancer and I lost an uncle to cancer when I was just a boy. Almost everyone I know has had someone they have lost to cancer or know someone who is currently facing it. But we believe that this does not have to be a death sentance!
While we were in Mexico in 2014, Christine and I realized and accepted that our lives were going to be forever changed. We began to pray and plan for a very different future than the one we thought we would be living. We had learned so much in such a short period of time about different ways of managing cancer, from detoxification through dietary changes, to the use of alternative medicine, to the power of essential oils, and more. These were all things that no traditional doctor in the United States would share with us. We researched and studied and tried new things.
Eventually we came to the decision that this was going to be our lives - we need to dedicate ourselves to helping cancer patients get the treatments they desire and deserve, and also educate the general public to the integrative, alternative, or immuno therapies out there that really do work.
Our dream is to start a nonprofit foundation expressly for this purpose. To that end, I am asking everyone to give and to give generously. We need to raise the startup money to get this foundation off the ground. A business plan is already being written as well as all of the other behind the scenes things that need to happen for this sort of company to work. Right now we are preparing for a cross country trip to raise more funding and spread the word about our soon to be foundation, but we need your help!
Our Vision
The vision of Chrissy’s Fund is to help every terminally ill patient to be able to afford the treatment of their choice for their disease without having to sacrifice their quality of life. We want to provide all the necessary resources Clinics and doctor’s need to give these patients a clean, modern, comfortable, and affordable experience during their therapy. Our aim is to inform every person in the United States of their options for medical treatment so that they can make an informed choice as to how they manage their illness.
Our Mission
Chrissy’s Fund brings HOPE to the terminally ill by providing options for integrative or alternative medical treatments, natural HEALING solutions, and new disease maintenance techniques in order to HELP them maintain the best possible quality of life.
Our Values
Attitude – Studies have shown that a person’s attitude towards life has a lot to do with how their bodies react to illness. By helping people to develop a positive attitude toward their life and their disease we will be helping them to overcome that disease and start down the path to healing themselves.
Communication – We believe that there is a severe lack of communication between health professionals and patients. We will inform people of all the facts regarding their diseases as well as all of the treatments available to them that exist outside the standard of care in the US.
Community – It is our desire to bring together people with the same illnesses so that they may learn from each other, share treatments that are working, and support each other on their journey toward healing. A sense of community provides hope, improves attitudes, and helps people not to feel alone in their struggle.
Empowerment – Doctors in America rarely communicate all of the information patients need regarding their conditions. Nor do they give them options outside of the accepted standard of care. Our foundation will provide people with all the information they need, both good and bad, so that they may be empowered to make their own decisions about their health.
Healing – Our goal is to connect all terminally ill patients to treatments that work for them so that they may experience true physical healing whenever possible. We also desire that they experience mental and emotional healing through community, hope, and positive attitudes.
Helpfulness – Our intentions are to help the terminally ill in all aspects of their life including finances, health care choices, information about their disease, emotional support, transportation arrangements, and anything else outside of the scope of their abilities.
Honesty – Honesty is important to our foundation because if there is a way to manage a disease outside of traditional care, people need to know so informed decisions can be made. The truth must be communicated.
Hope – Hope is perhaps the greatest value our foundation wishes to promote. Without the hope of a way to treat their sickness, people who are diagnosed as terminal will give up on a life that could be fulfilling and enjoyable.
Individuality – Everyone who comes to our foundation will be treated as an individual and their needs will be personally considered and addressed so that the best options can be considered to heal their entire person.
Please give what you can and help us give back to all of those in need who are suffering with cancer!
Organizer
Joel Bennett
Organizer
Camillus, NY
