Hearing the phrase, “You have cancer,” is both devastating and scary. Fortunately, the American Cancer Society is there to help. Focused on providing the resources that patients and their families need, the organization can be a source of comfort for many while on this stressful and sometimes complicated journey.
“There is a wealth of information on the website and it’s the most up-to-date cancer related information available,” says Stephanie Weiter, the associate director of development in Topeka. “It’s credible and helps people when they’re trying to wrap their heads around what they’ve been told.”
Its website and 800 number can be accessed 24/7. “People can find information relating to their specific cancer diagnosis and what they can expect with their treatment,” she says. “For caregivers, there is a wealth of information about what they can do to support their cancer patient and also what they need to do to look out for themselves as well, because being a caregiver is a hard job.”
While the American Cancer Society is a beacon of hope and support, it also needs the support of others. People can go online and make a monetary donation, or sign up to be a volunteer. They can also attend one or more of their amazing events throughout the year. One of these events, Corks & Forks, is being held on January 29 at the Topeka Country Club.
It’s a five-course meal with different wines paired with each course and a silent and live auction as well. This year’s theme is “Prom Through The Decades.”
“Every year we change the theme for the events, and this year we’re encouraging people to dress up in their prom attire from the decade they graduated. It’s normally a cocktail/black tie event, so this is going to be a lot of fun.”
Honorary chairs this year are Patrick and Eileen Doran from Topeka, who are also dear friends of hers. Pat was diagnosed in 2019 at age 58 with a very aggressive form of stage 4 prostate cancer. “It was very scary,” says Pat. “I sought counsel from Stephanie about a second opinion and treatment options. Stephanie was there throughout helping me make decisions. When you get a diagnosis like mine, you freak out and you need information to help put it into perspective and figure out what to do.”
From the very beginning, his wife, Eileen, also relied on Stephanie and the American Cancer Society. “It was a huge relief to me to be able to contact Stephanie right after Pat was diagnosed,” she says. “She knew a lot about the local medical community and had some opinions about what the course of treatment should be for Pat, given his age.”
When Stephanie asked the couple to be co-chairs of Corks & Forks, they were happy to do so. “My primary responsibility will be getting up at the event and sharing my story in hopes it will motivate people to be supportive of the auction that evening and to encourage people to purchase tables or seats at these events so we can assist in raising money for the American Cancer Society.”
For Eileen, it’s also about helping spread the message and encouraging people to support the event. “Stephanie does such an incredible job with all the events, and I think this event is special because there are several couples on the committee whose lives have also been touched by cancer, so it’s very near and dear to their hearts. They have a passion for the cause and really work hard to make this event not just fun, but very successful.
“We embrace this event because there are several speakers who tell their stories and throughout the evening you see just some of the benefits that the American Cancer Society provides to patients in the local community, as well as nationally.”
Tickets are on sale now at https://CorksandForks22.givesmart.com/. “We purposely keep this event smaller and more intimate, so we sell about 184 tickets,” says Stephanie. To date, the event (formally called A Night of Wine and Roses) has raised over $800,000.
These funds, she explains, are used to support the American Cancer Society pillars that include research, patient support services such as the Hope Lodge in Kansas City - a program that provides free lodging and more for cancer patients and their caregivers - and its Road to Recovery program, which provides transportation to and from treatments. Proceeds also go towards advocacy and efforts to educate the community about what they need to do to reduce their risks of getting cancer.
If people cannot attend this event, they can still support the American Cancer Society by donating money on its website or donating items for its auctions. Here they can also find information about becoming a volunteer, which they always need.
While Pat is planning on wearing a baby blue tuxedo with a ruffled shirt to the “Prom”, Eileen is searching for a long frilly dress with puffed sleeves. “I’m expecting there will be a disco ball and big paper flowers,” she says, laughing.
“There are so many exciting research opportunities coming down the pike and the American Cancer Society is really making a significant difference,” says Stephanie. “So many people have been impacted by this disease, and my hope is that my grandson will never have to hear the words, ‘You have cancer.’ And if he does, the treatment for that type of cancer will be far better than what is currently available.”
Today, thanks to these advances in research and treatments, Pat is doing very well. “Because of the severity of my cancer, I’m still technically in the final stages of my treatment,” he says. “It’s a journey and you never know if you’re at the end, but I feel very fortunate that all of the markers for my treatment look great.”
Adds Eileen, “His last PSA [prostate-specific antigen] was the lowest possible you can have.”
For more information about the American Cancer Society, go to https://www.cancer.org