Oh, how I love a heartwarming story!
Other people do too, as The Hallmark Channel and Lifetime’s viewing schedule would indicate. I’ve been snuggled up with my mom (affectionately known as Mama Jett in the young adult cancer community.) watching a few of the Christmas and Hanukkah selections. Not only are they a wonderful addition to the holiday seasons, but in this year of chaos, they (along with the people of AnCan) remind me this world we call home isn’t so bad after all.
We had our own beautiful story here recently, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
I’m honored to be a moderator for The Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation/AnCan’s Renal Medullary Carcinoma virtual support group. My dear friend Carlos Moran died of RMC, and his wife Charissa (also a moderator) is part of my family for life. Charissa connected me with Ritchie Johnson (founder of The Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation), and she’s put me to work for this incredible community ever since. We’ve been well attended ever since the first meeting, which only proves how valuable peer-to-peer support is.
At our December 8th meeting, our beloved friend Joyce came again. She’s had a difficult few months, and is in Hospice. We do what we do, and how we do it for people like Joyce. She dropped in from her phone, and didn’t have to travel anywhere. We made her laugh (one joke was my own donut story!), encouraged her, and made commitments to keep her lifted in prayer. We record our meetings so people who don’t feel well enough can come that night can watch anytime they are comfortable. I encourage you to watch this particular meeting:
One important thing came to our attention. Joyce has been wanting a burger, and we encouraged her to get one. But unfortunately, the cancer related pain makes it impossible for her to take a trip at the drive-thru. The people around her also didn’t want to bring her one, as they felt like cancer patients aren’t allowed to have them.
That wasn’t good enough for us. Team RMC and Rick sprung into action that night, and we were going to get Ms. Joyce her burger. Through emails, phone calls, friends of friends, and internet searches, a solution emerged. Thanks to DoorDash, WE DID IT, even if we are many miles away! She and her daughter, Nevaeh had delicious bacon cheeseburgers, french fries, and vanilla shakes. Thank you so much, DoorDash and Five Guys!
While this may seem so small, it isn’t. RMC is an under funded, researched, and advocated for cancer due to significant health disparities. Related to Sickle Cell Trait, this community does not get the care they deserve. It was always more than a burger, it was a message that we care, and we stand with you.
Joyce, we love you, support you, and are proud to stand with you. There will be many more DoorDash orders in your future! Thank you Ritchie, The Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation, AnCan, and Team RMC for this amazing happy ending.
No matter what you are celebrating this month, I am reminded by this quote by Rumi;
The lamps are different, but the light is the same.
Decorating a Christmas tree with lights, or lighting the Menorah still produces what we need more of in this world: light.
And in this winter season where the sun sets earlier, we are drawn to the warm illuminating glow that glistens even stronger in the darkness. It’s the same mesmerizing feeling of the sunrise lighting the dark skies, a reminder that each day is a fresh start. I think that’s why AnCan really fulfills our mission of providing support. We understand that cracks are how the light that shines through us. We have all gone through different things, and want to provide “light” to others.
The beauty of light owes it’s existence to the dark – Brené Brown
I encourage you to see the light in the little things, to always look for the stars when it’s dark, and to provide a little light to others wherever you go.
For information on our peer-led video chat RENAL MEDULLARY CARCINOMA VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, click here.
To SIGN UP for the Group or any other of our AnCan Virtual Support groups, visit our Contact Us page.