Keith S.

I reached out to CanCare shortly after I heard the words "don't leave the hospital, you have cancer". I had a lot of friends and family that I knew would support me in my cancer treatment, but I really needed someone who truly understood how I felt and could provide something more than a hug and "I'm so sorry".

I was paired with Leonard Donaldson as my volunteer support person, and he immediately made me feel like I could survive this diagnosis. At each juncture of the process, he seemed to know just what to say to give me hope and strength along the way that only a survivor could give.  

At one of my lowest points, I was at a hardware store trying to procure the necessary parts to fix a broken valve under my sink and I just became overwhelmed with life and my treatment. I was sitting outside the store in tears when my phone rang. It was Leonard somehow knowing that I needed him. His calm voice and encouragement were just what I needed at that moment to get up off the concrete and keep putting one foot in front of the other. We did not meet in person until well after my treatments were finished and when that day came, I wept again as I hugged him in gratitude for all his help in surviving the hell that is a cancer diagnosis.  

“I am forever grateful to CanCare for your mission and to Leonard Donaldson for being the voice that brought me through my own cancer journey.”

To anyone thinking about seeking support from CanCare…. A survivor by your side can be invaluable even if you have a great support system to help you through a cancer diagnosis and treatment. A survivor can provide hope, encouragement, and understanding that only someone who has walked the same path can provide.

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