I got a call from Washington, DC, today. It’s taken about a month, but the Lung Cancer Alliance found me a phone buddy. One of the services that they provide as a patient advocacy non-profit organisation is a peer-to-peer network for those living with cancer, either as patients or caregivers.
When I was drafting David’s memorial program back around Christmastime, I consulted with his oncologist with regards to groups/foundations/etc. that I could suggest to memorial attendees who wished to make a donation towards lung cancer research in memoriam. The oncologist put together some materials for me, and one of the organisations he recommended was the Lung Cancer Alliance.
Memorial Program – David L. Fielding (236 KB, PDF)
I had contacted the Lung Cancer Alliance a while ago, and after I told them my story they asked me if I was interested in speaking to someone in a similar situation to my own. I said yes, and today they called and said they’d found someone and forwarded her my phone number. She lost her husband six or seven years ago and thought I might benefit in talking to her. I wasn’t surprised it would take a while to find someone, since David died young and I’m five years younger.
So in case you’re wondering what happens to the money you’ve donated to the Lung Cancer Alliance, I can tell you it benefits not only patients, but caregivers, too.
If you’d like to purchase a silicone “Clear Skies” bracelet designed in David’s memory to support the Lung Cancer Alliance, please let me know. Thank you.
Shortly after, she sent a return SMS:
