Dear Friend,
I would like to tell you a little bit about a person that is very important to me.
My husband Gene, with whom I spent almost 40 Christmases, was our chief tree decorator and dessert maker; his Christmas spirit was an irreplaceable gift to us.
In 2013 he was diagnosed with follicular Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The odds were against us when it transformed into an aggressive form of lymphoma. We tried chemotherapy and attempted a stem cell transplant. Neither worked.
We had one last option offered to us, a clinical trial in immunotherapy.
Unfortunately, Gene died before he could complete the trial. He was 61. It was a shattering loss for our family.
Throughout my husband’s cancer journey, Lymphoma Canada was a huge source of support. In fact, I’m not even sure if I knew that lymphoma was a form of cancer before my husband was diagnosed, but that’s where Lymphoma Canada stepped in.
Now I’m chair of the board of Lymphoma Canada because I want to pay forward the help that we received; the help that donors made possible.
Your gift will fund incredibly promising research and provide resources and support to patients and families in need. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that your gift supports a vital lymphoma community of medical professionals, volunteers, patients and families.
This holiday season you can make a difference with a gift that will have a lasting impact. Impact on individuals like me, and Gene.
With Gratitude,
Sharlene Smith
Chair of the Board of Directors,
Lymphoma Canada
Victoria, BC
P.S. All too often lymphoma is misunderstood- a disease that goes under the radar and catches people off guard with symptoms that aren’t always obvious. Bring attention to lymphoma; help us find the best treatments possible with your gift today.
