The Last Post of 2012 from Tigerlily's Latina!

My fourth year as a Volunteer with the Tigerlily Foundation is fast approaching in less than a month.  I am so blessed to have discovered Tigerlily when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  I am now a 4 year survivor.  Maimah and I immediately made a connection, and I have been supporting the mission of Tigerlily ever since. 

The Funds for Families Program provides financial assistance to young women who are actively in chemotherapy treatment. Often, families don’t anticipate or plan for crises such as breast cancer. Being able to help provide a service for other young women who apply for this program is so rewarding.  A phone call or an email that says "Yes, we can help" truly lifts their spirits and takes away some of the stress for them and their families.

I also assist The Chemotherapy Buddy Program, which provides a breast cancer patient with a “buddy” throughout treatment.  The Program is spreading nationally. It’s amazing for me to be able to connect young women with breast cancer to each other.  A young woman from Texas recently connected with another survivor from South Carolina.  They were experiencing the same bilateral mastectomy surgery, and they were able to share their experiences with one another and feel comforted while going this difficult and scary procedure. I was able to listen to her needs and make that match. They have been in contact now for over 5 months!

In 2013, my new years resolution is to be an even bigger cheerleader for the Tigerlily Foundation.

Have a Happy New Year!

Latina Starling

ChemoBuddy Program Manager and Funds For Families Coordinator

Inspiration: A Post from Ania, Tigerlily's Executive Assistant

 (Ania is on the right!)

Tigerlily volunteers, staff, sponsors, donors, supporters… why do we do what we do? Each Tigerlily family member has their own reasons for giving to Tigerlily, to make sure that our programs run smoothly, that our applicants receive our aid which will make their journey a bit easier...

Some of our Tigerlily family members are breast cancer survivors themselves, others may have lost their mother, sister or friend to breast cancer, yet some of us, like myself, have been lucky enough not to have faced breast cancer directly. So what inspires us to be part of Tigerlily? Well, it is inspiration which I receive every day. Sometimes it comes though reading a note from a patient who received a buddy bag or financial assistance from us and it really touched her… sometimes it comes as a reminder that we work for an organization founded by a woman who overcame her own struggle thought breast cancer, by starting Tigerlily and becoming fearless… sometimes it comes through a realization that no matter what your life has handed you, you are part of a sisterhood of women, simply because you are a woman. No matter if you have dealt with the same problems as your sisters or other ones, you can make a difference. Just the knowledge that you can, is a powerful inspiration.

Being part of the Tigerlily family is something that is deeply rooted in one's heart. We are proud to be a part of this team, this community, making a difference in young women's lives. We are a force in pink, standing proudly for womanhood, for healthier lives, finding happiness by supporting others, and together learning to be fearless. If you are a part of Tigerlily, you are making a significant difference in someone’s life. If you have not yet joined us and have become inspired to, check out ways in which you can get involved: http://tigerlilyfoundation.org/join-the-movement/.

Proudly, a Tiger Team Member,

Ania Basséne

An Update from Tali, Tigerlily's Talented Team Member

An update from our lovely Tali, Tigerlily's Operations Coordinator and PETALS Program Manager!

"Community. It's a nine letter word. I hear this word spoken in everyday conversation. In the days since December 14, 2012,  I find myself thinking about the concept of community frequently. Who do I want to be a part of my community? To whom would I turn in my community should I need assistance? To whom would I turn after being a part of tragic event?

Tigerlily Foundation is part of my community. The volunteers, the supporters, the sponsors, the staff, the survivors, the women and families we assist through our programs. All of these people listed are part of my chosen community. 

As Tigerlily Foundation closes 2012 and opens 2013, my chosen community continues to grow. I have had the pleasure of adding additional staff to the Tigerlily Foundation Team. I have had the pleasure of becoming part of our own internal online social network. I have had the pleasure of people and companies reaching out to Tigerlily Foundation because they feel a connection and want to volunteer for us. Today I had two high schoolers ask me how they could become involved with Tigerlily Foundation. I began to list options and opportunities at Tigerlily Foundaiton for these two high school students and realized that they want to be part of the Tigerlily community, a community I have chosen to partake. 

May Tigerlily Foundation continue to grow our community and be a Foundation in which people are comfortable calling the Foundation their community! I hope 2013 brings happiness, peace, joy, compassion, gratitude, and health to all!"