Leeann M.

Cancer used to be something that was foreign to me, but it has greatly affected my life on a personal level in the past six years. I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer in 2013, and after that a number of other family members were diagnosed with different cancers—including my husband. I found myself doing more research and becoming more involved in the world of oncology as each family member went through their individual experiences.

What sets CancerCare apart from other support resources is that it provides free services to the whole community that is affected by cancer; I love that we offer a variety of programs for patients, caregivers and the bereaved, not just one group. These support programs are important for those affected by cancer because of the thoughts, questions, fears, anxiety and confusion surrounding cancer diagnoses. Our services allow people to express anything they are feeling, even if they’re not quite sure what those feelings are. It’s an outlet for people to unload and unscramble what’s going on in their minds.

My favorite type of work to do at CancerCare is individual counseling because I like to give personal attention to my clients, allowing them to be as vulnerable as they want. I enjoy witnessing their growth from the first session to the last. It’s so rewarding when clients say they feel that I understand them, and I am always proud to see them implement skills we’ve worked on together to make a difference in their lives.