Women's Cancer Action: A Year in Review!

In the first part of 2010, we thoughtfully created our new home: womenscanceraction.org. Our dedicated Board of Directors worked to build a website where women could find comfort and support, ask questions, find answers and take the next step in their cancer journey. In the spirit of the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Women’s Cancer Action aimed to share our combined knowledge of cancer resources with those in need of assistance. As a result, our website now houses a comprehensive list of both local and national cancer resources as well as information about alternative and complimentary care modalities.

By mid-summer, we reinvigorated our Caring Hands Touch program and, once again, began serving women in the Twin Cities, arranging free massage, acupuncture and energy work sessions for women with cancer. Healing touch can be very powerful for women undergoing treatment or living with cancer – we are thrilled to be providing this service again.

Currently, our Caring Hands Touch program requests are keeping pace with the number of volunteer practitioners working with us. But, as our outreach efforts continue in the healthcare community and among community organizations, we may need to start a waiting list for women requesting services. We need help finding more qualified bodywork professionals, particularly those who have previous experience working with cancer patients. Please contact us if you, or someone you know, would like to become a volunteer practitioner.

Also this year, Women’s Cancer Action joined the Healthy Legacy Coalition, a collaborative of over 30 health and environmental groups committed to chemical policy reform for Minnesota and the nation as a whole. In 2011, one focus for WCA will be raising awareness of the connection between chemicals and cancer through our social media channels and website.

In order to grow and keep our programs and advocacy efforts going, we will need to do some significant fundraising for 2011. We got off to a good start in November by participating in Give to the Max Day. By taking part in GiveMN.org’s online event, we raised $3,600 which included a generous matching gift from an anonymous (and fabulous!) donor. But that’s just the beginning. We’ll be hard at work planning a fundraising event and other activities in the coming year.

So, as we reflect on the accomplishments of 2010 and look forward to our work in 2011, I want to thank you – our supporters old and new – for giving to Women’s Cancer Action and giving to all women who experience cancer in their lives, families and communities.

Jen Cash
Co-Chair
Women's Cancer Action