the Cause

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:01:18 -0600

When Sharon’s Hope began, three years and eight months ago, it was a reaction to my family’s present situation, at the time. The cancer that my mom so bravely fought for five years had finally taken over and ended her life. The loss of her caused us all to reflect on how much she had given us. She also instilled in us the need to reach out to the community. With her encouragement in her final months, we set out to find a way to help those who were going through a similar situation; and thus the first Hope Basket was born. Once she was gone, for me, the thought of someday expanding on our outreach was therapeutic and helped me struggle through my grief.

The past three years have been a journey for me as well as for Sharon’s Hope. A journey of grief, reflection and even, at times, anger. Now I am ready, once again, to set out on our original mission of reaching out to others that are affected by the storm that is cancer.

Yet today I am feeling a touch of the frustration that has often infected my perspective. This month I found out that my Aunt, my mother’s sister, has been revisited by a cancerous tumor in her liver. Despite my enthusiasm to get Sharon’s Hope to help others, it is now, when the storm comes closer to home, that I am once again overwhelmed with a sense of both helplessness and determination. This paradox can be quite frustrating.

I feel helpless because as I think about my own family and the road ahead for my aunt, I am reminded of how many other families are traveling that same bumpy road. I think of how many other families are trying to put on brave faces while the panic and fear festers within. When I close my eyes I can almost hear the countless prayers in my head. Prayers for strength, hope, peace, health, and answers. Prayers that I too have said countless times in my own head in the silent darkness of the night. Yet, it is this sense of helplessness that leads to my determination.

Through Sharon’s Hope I am determined to reach out to the many families affected by cancer. I am not a doctor, nurse, or counselor. Sharon’s Hope is not a large facility that encompasses all the tools to end the storm. Yet Sharon’s Hope can still be there, enduring those all too familiar bumps with the others now facing them. It can be a hand to hold when that fear and panic emerges from within. Sharon’s Hope can be there to listen, and once in while even offer some of the strength, hope, peace, health and answers that those who are affected seek.

With Sharon’s Hope, I vow to do everything I can to bring comfort and care, health and wellness to those currently affected with the disease. I vow to do everything I can to bring services and information forward that can help us not only fight cancer and the affects of its treatment, but also prevent cancer. We may not know for sure all that causes different cancers, but we can try and work with what we do know. That is, a healthy mind, body, and soul have a better chance of making it through whatever storm one is confronted with.

-Jennifer Stehling, Founder

Friendraiser event - Sat. 3/21/09

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:03:05 -0600

You’re invited to the Sharon’s Hope “Friendraiser.” Saturday, March 21, 2009 6PM @ Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe, 730 Alto Street (between St. Frances Dr. and Guadalupe Church)

Join us for an evening to raise funds and friends. We will share the mission of Sharon’s Hope, tell you how you can get involved and eat some good food.

$10 per person (children are welcome for free), RSVP suggested: info@s-hope.org

Please come!