This month, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on a remarkable woman for our Community Member of the Month. Lynn embodies the essence of fostering community within the realm of childhood cancer. She stands as a fierce advocate for childhood cancer awareness and a steadfast source of support for parents of young warriors across the nation. To know Lynn is to experience love, encouragement, and resilience firsthand. We are immensely thankful for her invaluable presence within the NNCCF family. Dive deeper into Lynn’s inspiring journey with NNCCF below:
How did you first get connected with NNCCF?
My daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer, when she was 17 years old. She has been fighting for 5 years, having relapsed 3 times. It has been the hardest thing watching your child fight for her life. It’s a daily physical and emotional challenge to live with childhood cancer. Having NNCCF in our corner has lightened that burden.
What is your NNCCF “why”? What makes you want to continue supporting NNCCF?
Of course, my daughter, Katie, is my number one “why” for supporting NNCCF. Sadly, there are so many kids like Katie; kids fighting cancer. I wish every community had an organization like NNCCF. I’ve met too many families throughout the country who, because of childhood cancer, are struggling not only physically and emotionally but also financially. Because of NNCCF, families fighting childhood cancer in Northern Nevada can focus on their child’s health and happiness without the constant worry and stress of medical bills. We constantly say that NNCCF is “The biggest little Nonprofit in the biggest little city.” There is no red tape or layers of bureaucracy at NNCCF, only family.
What is one thing you’ve done for NNCCF that you’re proud of?
Beads of Courage is a national organization that helps children visually display their cancer journey. The child receives a different colored bead for each and every appointment, poke, procedure, etc. A red bead is given for blood transfusions, a white bead for chemotherapy, a black bead for a shot or port access. I have been stringing Katie’s beads for over 5 years now. I have been bringing Katie’s long strands of Beads to different NNCCF functions. I think it gives people a glimpse into the length and depth of not only Katie’s battle but to the battle of the kids fighting cancer.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Breast cancer, sadly, is a very common secondary cancer with which kids with cancer are diagnosed. But, I’d like to see awareness of childhood cancer and GOLD be as prevalent and known as PINK is for breast cancer.