Hearing I had cancer felt like a ton of bricks... the disease is like your worst flu combined with your worst hangover.

If you have cancer you don't want to get out of bed because you know something bad is going to happen. But Fighting Chance is out of bed, making calls and describing options to you... by going there I felt better and I recovered better and felt part of a cancer community.

John - Survivor - Cancer of the Tonsils
Montauk

After diagnosis... I was just out there... hardly any idea where to turn or who to talk to. Just nothing. You could say I was "at sea" and Fighting Chance came along and was my lifeboat.

After I got cancer people would say, "I'm so sorry, I know how you feel," but they didn't know how I felt. It was so great talking to people in the Fighting Chance support groups who did have cancer because they really did know what I mean.

Anne - Survivor - Lung and Brain Cancer
Sagaponack

After I was told I had cancer I went back to my car and cried. It was like being kicked in the stomach. If you're diagnosed, get a hold of Fighting Chance. They're someone with experience, and it's an incredible place. Don't do it alone. I can't stress that enough... doing it alone will kill you.

Lonnie - Survivor - Lung Cancer
Southampton

Fighting Chance gave us so many things. They went to the hospital, told me about massage, hypnosis, worked with me on stress relief, arranged accupuncture, which I still do for my neuropathy... the list goes on.

Lorna - Survivor - Colon Cancer
East Hampton

When you have an organization like Fighting Chance, if I was thinking about stopping my treatment or just having a bad day, I could pick up the phone and call Karrie or Heather... or I could go to the office and talk to them one-on-one.

Suzi - Survivor - Breast Cancer
East Hampton

They didn't say it was pancreatic cancer, they just said "have this taken care of quickly." There was a sense of bewilderment... am I going to die?

Fighting Chance has been a terrific part of my journey. Karrie Robinson (the oncology Social Worker) was like the rudder of a ship. She really helped me navigate the river.

Bob - Survivor - Pancreatic Cancer
Amagansett

Doctors are not trained in one of the arts of healing, which is you kind of need someone to hold your hand, you need to have a chat. That is where I think our medical system is underdeveloped, and that is where Fighting Chance comes in.

Richard - Survivor - Rectal Cancer
Sag Harbor

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Praise for Fighting Chance workshops:

February 7, 2009 Cancer Survivors program at Southampton Hospital.

I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful program on Saturday. I found it very helpful, encouraging and uplifting to be among fellow survivors and people who do attended. The breakfast was wonderful and the company was great. Thank you also for all the literature, calendar book, Book of Hope and flyers on upcoming events. I will be attending the genetic seminar in March and look forward to other programs.

Thank you for all you do to help us and to make this Cancer experience easier to cope with.

With gratitude,
Susan
Rocky Point, NY

September 26, 2009 Day of Hope

Hope is having grass roots organizations like Fighting Chance to educate you. Hold your hand. Give you a shoulder to cry on and give you the laughter and joy one needs to travel this journey.

Anonymous Day of Hope attendee