Courage to Grow

I was first diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2003 and Sarah Humphrey, the Founding Executive Director of the Erie Cancer Wellness Center, was one of the first people I met.  She understood, even then, that dealing with a cancer diagnosis took not only a medical approach that could include diagnostics, surgeries, medications, chemotherapy and radiation; but also a non-medical approach that would nurture the BODY, MIND and SPIRIT using programs in nutrition, exercise, education, journaling, self care, art, music and support groups.  Thankfully, treatment for my initial cancer diagnosis only lasted 8 months, but when I was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer with Bone Metastasis in 2010, Sarah was there again as a liaison to not only the medical, but the non-medical support she so strongly believed in.  That enduring belief played a major role in the creation of the Erie Cancer Wellness Center in 2022 as we know it today where ALL those non-medical services are available every day FREE OF CHARGE, thanks to the amazing support of our Erie community through events such as Erie Gives Day!