COMMUNITY CALL TO ACTION
Nancy’s List is my love letter to the universe, an expression of my profound gratitude for my miraculous recovery from stage 4 ovarian cancer … and my amazing life.
My guiding force, my profound wish, my passion … all the time … is
No one will ever go through cancer alone.
When I was diagnosed in 2004, I was living in Mill Valley in Marin County, right across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. There was an especially high incidence of breast and prostate cancer in the area. Despite the major efforts to determine the cause and laughing over some very strange speculations (The women drink too much white wine), no one knew why. As an obvious consequence of this conundrum, families and friends were deeply affected … and in fear. I did my research and had many meetings with the care organizations in the County to see what was happening and what was needed to support those who were living with cancer.
I was visited by 5 women in my therapy practice. They were all in their early 30s, all yogis, all kale lovers, and all feeling very much that they were doing all the right things to be invulnerable to cancer … until. They came to me, independent of one another, because some of their 30-year-old friends, who ate the same kale and did the same yoga, were diagnosed with breast cancer … and they were scared. It felt a little unreal to me, the timing … and it was serendipity.
I gathered them together for a think tank about what we wanted to do about their concerns. I envisioned a Call-to-Action Community Partnership to meet the epidemic of cancer that we, as a community, were facing.
We knew that we could not rely on the healthcare system to focus on the many emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis AND we also knew that we could rely on OUR humanity.
We could reach out and support the courage, bravery, and resilience of our neighbors … and we could come together, share the passion and the mission to care for our neighbors … holding their hands and their hearts as they moved through the cancer journey.
And, of course, the response was LET’S GIVE A PARTY! and so we did. They invited everyone they knew and they all came. I made my speech. I said,
It is going to take a village …
and I want to build a magnificent one with you.
We pledged to help everyone in our small town who was living with cancer. I placed clipboards around the party room in Sausalito asking for sign-ups. They signed up AND they showed up … to drive people to medical appointments, do their grocery shopping, walk their dogs, prune their roses, play with their children, whatever was needed.
It was really a blessed phenomenon …
Young school children joined men and women living in the senior centers in Marin to make greeting cards for the children hospitalized during the holiday season. I was always amazed how many peace signs were on these wonderful cards … drawn by the kids? or, more likely, the grown-ups?
Teens gave rock concerts and tennis tournaments to raise money for families living with cancer. Students at one high school created a program to prepare wonderful meals for cancer patients and their families using my dear friend Rebecca Katz’ amazing cookbook The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen. They delivered home-cooked meals on Friday evenings and spent a few hours with the families, creating long-standing friendships as well as support. The teens stayed with the same families for a year or more.
We started community forums on nutrition.
We set up exercise programs for cancer patients in many of the health clubs and spas.
We offered free massages, Pilates, yoga, and energy classes.
Rock musicians gave awesome concerts to support the community of families living with cancer.
Local markets feasted the families.
Every Valentine’s Day, the Montessori School in Sausalito gifted the children who were hospitalized at the University of California San Francisco Children’s Hospital with beautiful hand-made valentines, stuffed animals, garlands for their rooms, and much more.
It was amazing.
Through our programs, cancer patients and their loved ones found community, strength, courage, pleasure, and healing relationships. There is healing power when one is connected to the larger community, especially when you are experiencing fear, loneliness, isolation, and uncertainty. It means everything to know your neighbors are looking out for you and to meet kindred souls along the path.
I want every man, woman, teenager, and child who has to ‘walk the walk’ to hold the hand of someone who has been there, someone who understands the cancer mystery, and who will hang in there when times are tough.
I wanted to create a community
of like minded humans
who shared those values …
and we did …
and it was magnificent.
Thank you for sharing your amazing and beautiful story!
Mona Jhaveri
Executive Director, Sound Affects
Thank you for sharing your story. You’re not only helping those inflicted by cancer, but also those of us practitioners working in oncology. Reading such stories incites my passion for helping those with cancer; simply further deepens the love for what I do daily. Thank you!
All the best,
Natalie Ledesma MS, RDN, CSO, CLT
Personalized & Integrative Nutrition
Thank you so much,Nancy! Your story is beautiful and I’m grateful for you and all your important work. What an awesome oncologist you had! Oh how I wish there were more of those around here!
I also appreciate Sari Center being on Nancy’s List and would like to ensure that all our families come to know your website and the book! I want to read this book and learn more about how we could get it into our newly diagnosed folks hands. And I’m thrilled to have your story included in the Radical Remission stories. I have a couple of ovarian patients that are just amazing women I’d like to introduce to your story.
Thank you so much!
Corinne Lemal Danielson
Executive Director at Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care
Very beautiful, Nancy. Even though I knew parts of your story, it was great to see it all in one space. Mazel Tov! Lots of love to you and your cowboy from me and mine (who has never been on a horse)!
Love,
Bobbie Malone
College roommate at UC Berkeley
This is a lovely story, Nancy- thank you for sharing, and thank you for all the good you do in the world.
Blessings,
Karen Simonton
Executive Director
Simonton Cancer Center
I knew you were an extraordinary person, but wow Nancy. After reading this I am even more blown away by your strength, passion, compassion, kindness, and general awesomeness.
It is an honor to know you.
Thank you for all you do.
Angela Wicker-Ramos
Physical Therapist and Owner at Cancer Rehab and Integrative Medicine
Bravo!
Richard Hartgrove
Dear Friend
Hi Love, I’m so excited for you! I hope you are well and enjoying as much of life as you can.
Biggest Hug,
Shariann Tom
Founder at The Cancer Journey Institute
You have an amazing and powerful story to share. Thank you for giving hope to so many!
Be well and richly blessed!
Regards,
Camille Leon
Founder, The Holistic Chamber of Commerce
Hi Nancy,
It was my pleasure meeting with you today on My Best Healer Podcast. As promised, the link for today’s podcast is below. I believe your story is worthy to share with the world. Hopefully, I can have you again in the future on MBH Podcast to talk even more about the cancer treatment modalities.
Here is MBH Podcast link: https://www.mybesthealer.com/podcast/episode/4c61d3de/what-the-luckiest-lady-can-teach-you-about-cancer
Here is MBH Youtube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAh82gxBZhU&ab_channel=MyBestHealer
Again, thank you and I truly appreciate you being on My Best Healer podcast today.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ezzat Moghazy
I-MD, PhD
http://www.MyBestHealer.com
You are amazing! I am in awe of your strength & I have given your info to my oncologist to let them pass it on so more patients get help.
Donna B
Cancer Survivor/Imerman Angel Mentor
Thanks for all the love and hard work you do.
Susan Ryan
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Thank you for your work on behalf of so many. We refer many patients to your list looking for help.
Molly MacDonald
Founder, CEO, The Pink Fund
Thanks for the good work you do for all out there.
Hugh Miller
Managing Director at Gryphon Exploration Co
Luckiest lady! Wonderful.
Daiko
Thank you for what you do from another survivor.
Matt Mauer
Kansas City Are Department Battalion Chief
Thank you 🙏 for all you do. As we remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month it’s important that we share these amazing stories of recovery. 🤗
Gina Ramirez
Certified Health Coach @ Wellness with Gina
Powerful and moving story. “I AM WITH YOU” brought tears to my eyes. This is a mantra that every healthcare professional should not only have in their vocabulary but be able to authentically embody in some form. Those on a healing path can benefit exponentially from this kind of support. As a patient I’ve experienced what it feels like to not have an invested provider which is not therapeutic in any way but as a future healthcare provider, I take all these lessons forward to be part of the change I wish to see in the world. Thank you so much for sharing your story!
Angelina Gal, BSN, RN, INHC, RYT
DNP-FNP Candidate to graduate in December, 2020
Luck is when opportunity meets hard work. Cancer offered you an opportunity and you put in all the blood, sweat and tears, to lead to such a charmed existence! Keep on being lucky and role modeling for us all. Bravo Working Woman!
Donna Sillan
International Public Health Consultant
Nancy, I’m reinspired every time I read your story. Thank you for continuing to share it. I’ve referred dozens of clients to your financial resources list, and will continue to do so. You are a blessing to this hurting world.
With love,
Shani Fox, ND
Naturopathic Physician, Coach, Speaker, Cancer Survivorship Expert
Thanks for sharing so authentically and openly. I’ve been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing so your email gave me a glimpse. Thanks as well for Nancy’s List and all the work you’ve done/do/will do with it and beyond.
Buck Dodson, LCSW
President & Executive Director
Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation
You are an Inspiration!!!!
Janie DeGuerin
You can’t always cure, but you can always care.
Barry
Thank you, Nancy, for sharing. We all have our unique stories through the world of cancer and yours truly touched me.
Thanks again 🙏💗💕
Cindy Papale Hammontree
Hi Nancy,
Just finished listening to your podcast conversation with Dr. Moghazy. Your story is so inspiring, and your warmth makes you a great podcast guest. What a great way to get the word out even further about Nancy’s List and related resources.
It was good to hear your voice again!
Warm regards,
Shani
Hi Nancy.
What an inspiration you are to me.
I recently lost my 60-year-old husband to cardiogenic shock on Valentine’s Day 2018.
I went for my annual and found out that I have stage 4 uterine cancer!!!
I lost all hope in the universe and the divine powers.
I need to learn from you how to stay strong.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story – you are an inspiration. As an Oncology Nurse Navigator for Lung Cancer patients, as well as many other cancer patients, every day I strive to help. Time is the enemy as there are not enough hours in the day. To learn about all you have done, despite the challenges you faced and are facing, gives me hope that myself and my fellow committed Navigators who truly care can continue to help those diagnosed with cancer. I look forward to learning more about your non-profit, to help patients and their families. We are starting one as well, it is so hard though, again not enough time and so few that want to commit and assist…You are a ray of hope in challenging times. I am glad you had such a wonderful Oncologist to get you through a difficult and frightening diagnosis. I work with a Radiation Oncologist who gives his cell phone to all his patients and will go that extra mile for them. It is part of what keeps me and my team going, the knowledge that we are not alone in caring for our patients through what may be the most challenging times in their lives.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with so many people who need it. I have stage four metastatic breast cancer and was diagnosed a year ago at 39. I have two children ages 10 and 12 and it is rough sometimes.
What a beautiful and inspiring story. I just love the Encourage my Courage!!! I wish I had found out about this when my Mom had pancreatic cancer when I was just 38 yrs old, had nobody to go to for support, and called the ACS EVERY day for support. They were fantastic. I remember my Mom, who ran a pharmacy with my Dad for 38 years and brought so much comfort and encouragement to hundreds of people, always saying to me after her diagnosis, “Please just don’t leave me alone”. I will never forget those words. I must admit that I, at 69, think about this and wonder who will be ther for me as my advocate, if the need arises. I am grateful that I could honor and satisfy her wishes. Thank you so much!
Rivka
Thank you for your beautiful story of Mom love. Keep your heart open …
Nancy,
This is the first time I have truly read your own journey! A Radical Remission for sure and Radical Hope for many as Kelly Turner would say!
I love to hear these stories as it brings inspiration, hope and a different possibility to many. Yes, healing is possible and I am so very very happy for yours!! I am so happy to hear that you were able to be mentored by Rachel Naomi Remen MD. She is one of my favorite physicians and I have followed her work for quite a while and love her books-a gifted writer (as you are) and a treasured soul for sure! I worked with another Remarkable Gyn Oncologist, Dr James Nelson. He was one of the smartest, kindest doctors I ever worked with and I felt so Grateful to work and learn from him!
I hope that you have shared your story on Kelly Turner’s website, http://www.RadicalRemission.com to share your wisdom again with those that so desperately need it!
Blessings and Light to you Nancy,
Aurelie