April 2025 News from CanCare
Dear CanCare Family,
CanCare is celebrating 35 years of providing hope and support to those facing cancer! Since 1990, our mission has remained the same—to ensure no one faces cancer alone.
In our 35 years we have trained 2,450 volunteers, provided one-on-one support to more than 42,000 individuals, and have made more than 230,000 hospitals visits. These milestones have been made possible because of you—our donors, clients, and volunteers.
To our donors, your generosity fuels our mission, empowering survivors and caregivers to provide encouragement. To our volunteers, your compassion transforms lives every day. To our clients, your resilience inspires us all—we are honored to support you.
Through your support over the past 35 years more than 1 million lives have been touched by CanCare's mission through one-on-one support, hospital visitation, community education and support.
As we celebrate this journey, we look forward to continuing our impact together. Thank you for being part of our CanCare family!
With gratitude,
Darcie Champagne Wells
President and CEO, CanCare Caregiver Volunteer
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Volunteer Spotlight: Anne Turnage, CanCare Founder
Anne Turnage’s journey began with a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis in 1973 at the age of 46. Instead of succumbing to despair, she maintained a survivor mentality, inspired by her doctor’s encouragement and her unwavering faith.
As she underwent treatment, Anne recognized that while cancer patients had medical care and family support, many still lacked a crucial element—hope. Witnessing the impact of this absence firsthand, she became determined to find a way to offer meaningful emotional support to those facing cancer.
When Anne and her husband moved to Houston in 1989, she found an opportunity to turn her vision into reality. With the backing of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and generous donors, Anne founded CanCare in 1990.
What began with 21 supporters and 17 trained volunteers quickly grew into a structured program providing emotional support to cancer patients and caregivers. With expertise from educators and counselors, CanCare developed a robust volunteer training system and secured a dedicated office space in 1991.
Anne dedicated seven years to establishing and expanding CanCare before retiring in 1997. Though she stepped away from daily operations, her legacy endures in the thousands of volunteers trained and the countless lives touched by CanCare’s mission. Her vision of ensuring no one faces cancer alone continues to thrive, proving that one person’s resilience can inspire hope for many.
For a deeper look into Anne Turnage’s incredible journey and the founding of CanCare, check out Hope in the Face of Cancer.
CanCare's 35th Anniversary Celebration
Join us as we celebrate 35 years of hope, healing, and support at CanCare! Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, client, or have been touched by the ministry of CanCare, we invite you to be part of this special milestone—either in person or online.
Together, we’ll honor the impact of our incredible community, reflect on the journeys we’ve shared, and look ahead to the future of CanCare. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration filled with gratitude, connection, and joy. Below you can find more information on both the online and in-person event details—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Click HERE to RSVP to the in person celebration at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church!
Unable to join us in person? We would love to have you join us for our virtual celebration. Click HERE to RSVP!
HOPE in the Face of Cancer
In a world where cancer diagnoses are rising and the healthcare system can feel overwhelming, the need for human connection has never been more urgent. With nearly 2 million new cases expected in the U.S. this year, those facing cancer aren’t just searching for medical answers—they’re searching for hope. Hope in the Face of Cancer arrives at this critical moment, offering more than just stories; it offers proof that survivorship is possible.
Celebrating 35 years of service, CanCare is excited to release this powerful collection of 55 firsthand accounts from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals—ensuring that no one has to walk this path alone.
Written with deep empathy by Darcie Wells, a cancer caregiver and CEO of CanCare, alongside entrepreneur and ABC's Secret Millionaire James Malinchak, this book is a lifeline for those navigating the fear and uncertainty of cancer. These stories don’t just speak of survival—they shine with resilience, courage, and the undeniable power of love and support. Contributors like Rosie Carrabba, John L. Nau III, Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, Donna Lewis, and Rod Larson share their deeply personal journeys, reminding us that even in life’s darkest moments, hope can be found.
As part of our 35th anniversary celebration, CanCare is committed to placing this book in the hands of 35,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families—giving them comfort when they need it most. This effort, made possible through the generosity of individuals, companies, and foundations, is more than a campaign; it’s a movement to ensure that no one, no matter where they are on their cancer journey, ever feels alone.
Hope in the Face of Cancer is available in paperback and e-book format from Amazon. All proceeds will support CanCare's mission of providing a survivor by the side of anyone facing cancer. Over the past 35 years, CanCare has impacted the lives of more than 1 million cancer patients and their families.
