Support for newly diagnosed cancer patients

This is my story.....

On August 29, 2022 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory breast cancer. My first symptom was August 8th - it happened so fast. Three weeks later I was told I had cancer, and that it had already spread to my lymph nodes, over 20 tumors in my liver and 5 on my spine.

I went home with a broken heart and a gift bag with lotion and chapstick.

I needed so much more that day.

I needed to not feel like I had just received a death sentence.

I needed to know how great my doctors would be to me. That I could trust and rely on them to fight for me, to take care of me, because they really do care.

I needed to know about the night terrors – that I wouldn’t be able to sleep for a while, but it would get better as time went on.

I needed to know that I would be in shock, but that my mind would slowly adapt.

I needed to know that it was ok to be scared, and still be strong and fight this disease.

I needed to know that you could get diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer…..

and still have hope.

This is what sparked the beginning of my non profit, Pink Hope Inc. I have partnered with 4 oncology offices in the Richmond area to distribute "First Responder Kits" to patients at the time of diagnosis. These kits will have information on free resources and online support groups, websites to apply for grants, gift cards for gas, free wigs, etc. The kits will also have comfort items for patients to use during chemotherapy.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, my kits will have several letters of encouragement from other cancer patients and survivors who have sat in the same chair, and heard the same 3 words..."You have cancer". Letters that let the patient know that they can walk out of that office and they will not be alone. Letters that give HOPE.

Will you please consider donating? Help me to be there for someone who has just experienced a cancer diagnosis. With the help of your donations, we can begin to change the way this terrible disease is diagnosed.

And if you are wondering how I am doing? My letter will read something like this....

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The chemotherapy treatments were hard, but I fought. Adjusting to my new life was hard, but I fought. I have unwavering faith. I wake up every day and choose life. I see joy in things I never knew existed. And my fight has lead me to where I am today, clear scans and no evidence of disease.

Dear newly diagnosed, there is so much hope.

Pink Hope Inc

8725 Sandy Ridge Rd

N Prince George VA 23860

A 501(c)3 organization, all donations are tax deductible.