Cancer Lifeline Financial Assistance for Cancer Patients

Linda, a cancer survivor of 30 years, attended her first retreat with mixed feelings but left transformed. During a support group, she resonated with another participant’s metaphor comparing cancer to a mushroom and medications to a protective fence around her garden. This insight helped her refr...

Harmony Retreats, a program by Cancer Lifeline, offers a unique three-day cancer retreat designed to support individuals living with cancer through community, mindfulness, gentle movement, and expressive arts. Rather than a typical spa experience, these retreats focus on deep healing and reconnec...

Tonia Bartz was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2021, which drastically changed her life. After being admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy, her treatment journey included additional procedures like radiation and a stem cell transplant. As she nears three years of remission, Tonia re...

The holiday season can evoke a range of emotions, including joy and loneliness, particularly for those affected by cancer. Cancer Lifeline emphasizes the importance of community support during this time, as traditions and daily rhythms may shift for patients and caregivers. Their mission is to en...

On a cool September morning, Pacific Northwest canoe families gathered for the ninth annual Paddle for the Battle event along Hood Canal, honoring cancer survivors and raising prayers for the health of the Salish Sea community. Eleven canoes launched, each carrying cancer champions—survivors and ...

Dr. Bonnie McGregor founded the Orion Center for Integrative Medicine in 2015, driven by the belief that cancer care must encompass the whole person, integrating psychological support into standard treatment. Her research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center showed that psychological interve...

Sonja Blomdahl, a glass artist from Seattle, faced an unexpected cancer diagnosis in June 2022 after years of routine mammograms. Diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, which often evades detection, she struggled with the emotional and physical challenges of treatment at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer...

At 48, Abby approached her first mammogram as just another item on her to-do list, not anticipating the life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Following a lumpectomy and radiation treatment in 2023, she began taking hormone-blocking medication while remaining active through tennis. Almost a ye...

July is National Minority Mental Health Month, highlighting the unique mental health challenges faced by communities of color, particularly regarding serious illnesses like cancer. For many patients of color, the cancer experience is not solely a medical issue but also a mental health crisis infl...

Members of the Cancer Lifeline team recently participated in the Cancer Survivorship Celebration organized by the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA). This two-day event celebrated Indigenous cancer survivors, emphasizing joy, remembrance, and community resilience. It highlighted the ...

Douglas Clark was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, an experience that left him feeling as if the ground had disappeared beneath him. He grappled with the weight of the diagnosis and the uncertainties of treatment options, along with the emotional toll of fearing recurrence. In 2024, he fou...

In the realm of cancer support, each individual’s journey is distinct, often beginning with the courageous decision to join a Cancer Lifeline support group amid fear and uncertainty. Participants arrive with heavy questions, seeking connection and understanding. Within the safe environment of sha...