Tag: social support

Reel Connection 2024

An older man unhooks a fish from a young man's fishing pole at Reel Connection.

Join us for our annual fishing event: Reel Connection. We will spend the morning fishing out at YMCA Camp Carter. Breakfast items, coffee, and a catered lunch from Carpenter’s Cafe will be included. Cancer Care Services will provide the fishing poles and all fishing supplies. Please bring your favorite outdoor chairs and/or blankets. It’s going to be a fun morning!

To RSVP, contact Megan Clifton, Director of Client Engagement: Megan@CancerCareServices.org

Acompáñenos en nuestro evento anual de pesca: Reel Connection. Pasaremos la mañana pescando en YMCA Camp Carter. Se servirá desayuno, café, y un almuerzo proporcionado por Carpenter’s Cafe. Cancer Care Services proporcionará las cañas de pescar y todo lo que necesita para la pesca. Por favor, traiga sus sillas favoritas al aire libre, y / o mantas. ¡Será una mañana divertida!

Para inscribirse, póngase en contacto con Megan Clifton, Director of Client Engagement: Megan@CancerCareServices.org

 

Interested in volunteering? Find Reel Connection volunteer opportunities on our Volunteer Portal.

Celebrating Love

A couple slow dances at Cancer Care's Valentine's Dinner 2024.

Valentine’s Dinner 2024 Recap

“Will you be our Valentine?” 41 cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones said “yes!”

A couple poses for a Valentine's themed photo booth at a Cancer Care Services Connect Night.

Cancer Care shared the love at our annual Valentine’s Dinner (generously hosted by AHUMC) with intentional couples/family bonding sessions and a freshly prepared gourmet dinner with live piano accompaniment. The night concluded with a dance party featuring a command performance by our very own VP of Programs, Tracey, as the DJ!

A group of women dance at the annual Valentine's DInner.

Newly engaged couples and long-time partners were present, in addition to singles and friends. Couples answered guided questions to strengthen their relationship while our singles gathered to discuss topics based on conversation hearts!
A couple laughs at Cancer Care Services' Valentine's Dinner 2024.
One of our clients, Therese, was “…bound and determined to make it out tonight. I have not been out of the house since my surgery, but really wanted to come tonight to share this experience with my husband, son, and grandson. I am so glad I came. We made wonderful memories.”

The dinner and dancing were a welcome break from the challenges of cancer, and parents were able to enjoy this rare one-on-one time thanks to free childcare. Everyone experienced moments of joy and connection with their loved ones – reminding them that they don’t have to cope with cancer alone.

A couple dances at Cancer Care's Valentine's Dinner.

Wondering how to support cancer patients and their families all year long?

Valentine’s Day may be over, but you can spread the love all year long. Join our monthly giving club so that cancer patients like Therese can continue to make special memories with her family. Every amount makes a difference, even just $10 a month (the cost of a nice box of chocolates!):

Reel Connection 2023

Three kids sit on a dock fishing at Reel Connection.

Family Fishing Day: Reel Connection 2023

Reel Connection is a one-day fishing event at YMCA Camp Carter. Clients and their loved ones are invited to enjoy a morning of fishing, light breakfast items, and nature! Fishing poles and all supplies will be provided. A box-style lunch will also be served. Bring your chairs, blankets, sunscreen, and smiles!

To RSVP, contact:
Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager
Megan@CancerCareServices.org
817-482-5996

Register Here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210046374588156

To volunteer: Contact Megan Clifton or sign up.

Día de pesca de la familia: Reel Connection 2023

Reel Connection es un evento de un día en Camp Carter de YMCA. ¡Clientes y sus seres queridos son invitados para disfrutar una mañana de pesca, aperitivos de desayuno y la naturaleza! Cañas de pescar y todo el equipo será proveído. Un lonche será servido. ¡Traigan sus sillas, cobijas, protector solar y sus sonrisas!

Para mas informacion contacten con,
Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager
Megan@CancerCareServices.org
817-482-5996

 

Reel Connection 2023 flyer in EnglishReel Connection 2023 flyer in Spanish

TCC Trinity River Counseling Awareness Day

Mom comforting teenage son displaying a typical grief reactions in children of his age.

On Counseling Awareness Day, join Trinity River Campus counseling and student support services, as well as community partners, to discover helpful support on-campus and in the community. Learn how to tap into the help you need for yourself and your loved ones. Be proactive about the care you and others need!

Cancer Care’s counseling team will be in attendance to share more about our emotional and social services for those impacted by cancer!

January Connect Night: Cooking with Cuisine for Healing

A family and volunteer participate in a cooking class at a Cancer Care Services Connect Night.

January Connect Night

Join us for our first Connect Night of the year: Cooking With Cuisine for Healing! Cuisine for Healing will lead us in a healthy, delicious Cooking Class in which you and your loved ones can participate. We will make the recipe together, then eat what we made! You don’t want to miss it!

To RSVP, contact:
Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager
Megan@CancerCareServices.org
817-482-5996

Register Here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/210046374588156

To volunteer: Contact Megan Clifton or sign up.

Noche de conexión de enero

Acompañenos para nuestra primera Noche de Conexión del año: ¡Cocinando con Cuisine for Healing! Cuisine for Healing nos guiará en una clase de cocina saludable y deliciosa en la que usted y sus seres queridos pueden participar. ¡Haremos juntos la receta y luego comeremos lo que hicimos! ¡No te lo querrás perder!

Para mas informacion contacten con,
Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager
Megan@CancerCareServices.org
817-482-5996

January Connect Night FlyerJanuary Connect Night Flyer

 

Camp Connect 2022

Three girls at Camp Connect.

Fall Retreat: Camp Connect 2022

Cancer Care Services will be hosting a fall, overnight retreat at YMCA Camp Carter. Family and friends will be able to enjoy a day of archery, hiking, canoeing, high ropes course, a campfire with s’mores, and more! You don’t want to miss it!

To RSVP, contact Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager:

Megan@CancerCareServices.org

817-921-0653

To Volunteer: Contact Megan Clifton or sign up here.

Retiro de otoño: Camp Connect 2022

Cancer Care Services celebrará un retiro de otoño, durante la noche en YMCA Camp Carter. ¡La familia y los amigos podrán disfrutar de un día de tiro con arco, senderismo, piragüismo, curso de cuerdas altas, una fogata con s’mores, y mucho más! ¡No querrás perdértelo!

Para confirmar tu asistencia, contacta con nosotros Megan Clifton, Client Connection Manager

Megan@CancerCareServices.org

817-921-0653

Camp Connect 2022 Spanish Flyer Camp Connect 2022 EnglishFlyer

Encanto Under the Stars

Clients wait for Encanto to start at the March 2022 Connect Night.

March 2022 Connect Night

“I love it!” One of our youngest clients of the night had a blast at the Encanto-themed selfie station! Thank you, Selfie Factor FW, for setting up the adorable selfie station so our clients could capture special memories. Our staff, volunteers, and clients smiled wide for their pictures as the magical Encanto characters surrounded them. Look at those sweet smiles! 

A family takes a photo with the selfie station at the March 2022 Connect Night.
A family takes a photo with the selfie station.

Cancer Care’s counseling intern led the therapeutic component and brought an abundance of laughter and energy. Each person drew their own door, like the special doors in Encanto, that represented their strengths and interests. Then, they drew another door that showed their true selves – fears and all!  

Megan and Sabrina at the March 2022 Connect Night.
Cancer Care’s counseling intern and Client Connection Manager lead the therapeutic component of the night.

Our volunteers enchanted the night with welcoming smiles, tasty popcorn, and hot chocolate. A perfect treat on a chilly night! The families snuggled up in their blankets and snacked on their treats as the opening song began the movie. 

“We Don’t Talk About Bruno” proved to be the fan favorite since everyone couldn’t help but sing along. Miss Megan even danced around the parking lot and sang to each of the kids! Just like how Mirabel unites her family, our March 2022 Connect Night brought the Cancer Care community together. Stay tuned for the next Connect Night!

AYA Cancer Patients Create Connections and Friendships!

Four Camp Gold 2021 participants stand together in a group.

Camp Gold 2021 Recap

On April 24th, 2021 Cancer Care Services hosted our annual AYA Retreat: Camp Gold 2021, at Camp El Tesoro in Granbury, Texas. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the day was, what I like to call simply MAGICAL!

We had 20 participants in attendance, and that included their guests. We had two campers, plus their guests, who had to pull out last minute due to not feeling well because of chemo they had that week. Plus 9 volunteers from Cancer Care Services and Rutledge Cancer Foundation.

Staff members who joined us were Tori, Tamika, and Kayla, who did an EXCELLENT job leading our group discussion. Everyone enjoyed hiking, canoeing, kayaking, archery, the ropes course, group time, and meditation.

All day, every participant kept thanking us for making this event happen. Throughout the day, participants would express how glad they were to finally connect with fellow AYA’s (Adolescent and Young Adults) because like several of our clients, they spent most of 2020 in isolation and didn’t have the opportunity to meet others going through the same thing.

Several participants this year had either just wrapped up treatment, or are still on treatment, currently. They all connected with each other INSTANTLY and absolutely made friendships that will go on past this weekend (at dinner they were passing around a pen and paper to get everyone’s name and number like they were 10 at summer camp! So cute!).

If I could describe this weekend in one word, it would be THANKFUL! Thankful for the opportunities that 2021 is bringing us, and for being able to have in-person events again.

It was beyond evident that they are needed for our clients to feel a connection with others, now more than ever. Specifically, our AYA’s who crave connection with their peers. This is already a population that gets overlooked, and they definitely felt known, seen, heard, and loved this weekend!

For future Camps and Connect Events, please check out our events calendar!

August brings more friendships & fun!

August 2021 Connect Night

August 2021 Connect Night

Imagine the challenge of facing cancer, adjusting to new dietary restrictions, and finding the time and energy to cook for a family. Cancer Care’s August 2021 Connect Night featured Becca with Tarrant Area Food Bank, who taught our clients healthy and easy-to-make meals that the whole family can help cook!

Brianna, our child therapist, talked about how different types of foods can boost moods and calm anxiety. Then, the kids got to carefully slice cucumbers and strawberries to make a delicious cucumber and strawberry vinaigrette salad. Together, the families crafted their southwest pinwheels stuffed with chicken, spinach, and a mouth-watering cream cheese mixture. Yum!

Connect Night events build social connections by enjoying FUN activities together while teaching COPING skills. Each event has a therapeutic component combined with an engaging theme. Through the dedication of Cancer Care’s staff and volunteers, we have also made our Connect Nights more inviting and accessible for our Spanish-speaking families by offering Spanish translation.

In addition to making events more accessible, we have safely hosted every Connect Night in person this year, except for January! Clients were thankful for the commitment our staff, donors, and volunteers made toward creating a safe environment for people of all ages to form bonds within their own families and with others who are also dealing with cancer.

Supporters like you ensure that those impacted by cancer in our community have FREE social, emotional, and educational programming to help them cope with cancer while expanding their support system. Connect Nights are just one of the many ways your donation brings hope and healing.

Donate early or on North Texas Giving Day, and you can become part of a regional campaign that uplifts the mission of Cancer Care Services. Spread the word by posting about your donation and using the hashtag #NTxGivingDay on social media!

Thank you for making sure that no one has to cope with cancer alone. 

View our Events Calendar for upcoming Connect Events!

Inspiring Hope, Love, and Care

The client connection manager hugs one of the CampCARE campers.

CampCARE 2021

An incredibly brave and kind group of campers blessed us at CampCARE this year! Many campers experienced their first time catching a fish, riding a horse, and conquering the challenge course. Every child approached these experiences with enthusiasm and wonder, often surprising themselves with what they were capable of achieving.

New friends danced together, cheered each other on, and formed lasting bonds! And just as valuable as the friendships made were the skills learned during play therapy sessions held by Brianna, our child therapist. Brianna taught the campers ways to cope and share their emotions surrounding the cancer diagnosis of their loved one.

The children, volunteers, and staff brought the spirit of CampCARE to life through endless jokes, laughter, and SUPPORT. The last day of camp was full of bittersweet goodbyes… but there was also JOY because they will see their new friends again at Cancer Care!

Kaleigh and Aiden, two siblings whose mother is going through cancer treatment, made special connections with the other campers- and they learned healthy ways to process and express feelings with their mom. So CampCARE didn’t just change Kaleigh and Aiden’s lives, but their mother’s too. The family forged a new bond of HOPE and LOVE through learning how to cope TOGETHER.

Thank you to YMCA Camp Carter for providing a safe and fun environment for our clients, staff, and volunteers!

AND thank you to our amazing sponsors…

Blair Kay eats a cupcake at CampCare 2021.
CampCARE 2021