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Chemotherapy Buddy Program

As part of my cancer treatment, I underwent four months of chemotherapy, before doing radiation. Four months might seem like a blip on the screen of life to some people, but to the one diagnosed and the people who love them, every day is grueling.

Chemotherapy is physically, emotionally and mentally draining. I was fortunate enough to have very attentive, compassionate oncology nurses to take care of me. Although the reason I was there was not pleasant, they made my time there comfortable and warm. I felt very cared for. I was also blessed to connect with other oncology patients who were undergoing chemotherapy as well. What struck me was that many of them went alone to chemotherapy and drove themselves home. Some of them had no help once they got home.

As someone who was undergoing chemotherapy, it hurt my heart to know that there were people who had little or no support. I was fortunate enough to have a chemo “team”, who took care of me during that time. My Aunt and my friend Teresa were my major chemo buddies. One of them was with me every time. My brothers and other friends and family joined them at times. One brother took me for my shots the day after chemo and the other took me to doctor appointments, ran my errands, got the mail and dropped my bills in the mail. The other brother made sure I had an endless supply of popsicles. Other friends brought food, cards, books, journals, and tapes. My mother always made sure I had a fresh supply of sushi when I got home. She also slept in bed with me, holding my hand at night when I was scared or rocking me when I cried. My daughter gave me lots of kisses and made sure to always check my temperature. Co-workers brought gifts, cards and an endless supply of laughs.

Having this much support, it was unimaginable to me that some people were alone at such a time. After one day of chemo, I lay in bed, and the Chemotherapy Buddy Program was born.

The program provides oncology patients with a volunteer who will take them to chemo, stay with them all day and drive them home after treatment. Based on the patient’s need, the volunteer will also provide a meal and spend time with the patient, run errands, etc. The goal is to make sure that the patient has companionship, support, and know that they are cared for.

To get a ChemoBuddy, please contact us. Provide your location, chemotherapy date, time and schedule. Also, let us know if there are additional needs you have. Someone from our organization will contact you within 48 hours.

Buddy Bags

We love to send newly diagnosed women buddy bags with all sorts of gifts to pamper, soothe, educate, empower and manage stress. Please email info@tigerlilyfoundation.org with your name and address, and we will send you a buddy bag.

Funds for Families

Often, families don’t anticipate plan for crises such as breast cancer. Even in instances where families have insurance, there are often a multitude of related costs that leave them in a financial bind. There are also instances where a patient has such low income that she has to make a choice between seeking medical attention that could save her life, paying for medication that would make the treatment more bearable or paying bills. When facing a life threatening challenge such as breast cancer, finances should be the least of one’s problems. The Funds for Families program gives financial assistance to families based on their need.

Fax us the completed Funds for Families Form, along with copies of the bills that you need help with." The limit for funding is $500 per individual within a six month period. The waiting period for funds is between 30 - 90 days.

Download Tigerlily Foundation's Funds for Families Form

At Home

Working with Let’s Dish, a retail meal preparation service, Tigerlily Foundation and friends prepare and deliver meals to women going through breast cancer treatment.  Women can call us to request meals.  For those who would like to assist in preparing a meal, we can help you organize the event.  Just call us to schedule the event, get some friends together or make it a corporate team building event, we’ll sign you up through Let’s Dish to make the meals and have them delivered.  Enter the Code F9-Tigerlily at checkout and Let’s Dish will also donate 10% to Tigerlily Foundation.