Faces of The Giving Gig 2020

Meet our Faces of The Giving Gig 2020, men and women who have benefited from Community cancer care and the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, as they share their stories of courage, strength and perseverance.

Faces of The Giving Gig 2020 is presented by...

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Najala and her mother, Meeulonda.

Najala W.

They said they would take the best care of me, and I truly felt like they had my back.

The call came February 25 confirming what 29 year-old Najala feared, she had breast cancer. She knew a long road lay ahead, but she didn’t expect the support that rallied around her.

“In the beginning, I was scared and confused,” she said. “I had a lot of anxiety, and I was very nervous.”

With her parents and boyfriend Jordan accompanying her, Najala met with Robert Goulet, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician specializing in breast surgery, and her nurse navigator Natalie at Community Cancer Center East. They explained her different options for surgery and treatments and made her and her family feel more at ease.

Najala's Story

Scott and his wife, Mary

Scott H.

Like so many people, we live paycheck to paycheck. We weren't prepared. I've never been one to ask anyone for anything, but we were worn out thinking, "How are we going to do this?"

Scott’s colon cancer diagnosis in 2015 came as a surprise to him and his wife Mary. A trip to the emergency department called for an emergency colonoscopy, lots of tests and the eventual diagnosis. As an energetic husband, father and grandfather, Scott was unsure what the future would hold but was eager to get to work targeting the disease.

Scott, a resident of Madison County, turned to Community Cancer Center Anderson for care. His team included Jennifer Fisher, MD, and an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician specializing in radiation oncology, Shiroo Parshad, MD, and an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician practicing medical oncology and Shekar Narayanan, MD, and an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician focusing on colon and rectal surgery.

Scott's Story

Kelly and his wife, Kelly.

Kelly S.

You kind of pray for a miracle. You have faith that God is putting someone there to take care of you, and that's what happened. 

When Kelly was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in October of 2018, he turned to prayer before deciding to pursue care at Community Health Network.

He first met with Michael Christopher Large, MD, who specializes in urological oncology on Community Hospital North’s campus. At that time, Dr. Large explained Kelly was not a candidate for surgery but recommended chemotherapy.

With that, Kelly began treatment under the care of Annette Moore, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician practicing medical oncology at Community Howard Regional Health, close to his home in Bunker Hill, Indiana.

“That was pretty tough,” he said. “I felt pretty bad, and I was ready to be done.”

Kelly's Story

Erica P.Erica and her daughter

I don’t think my story is out of the ordinary. I’m a single mother who was dealt a life-changing diagnosis, but I knew I needed to keep working and living my daily life to keep things ‘normal’ for me and my daughter.

When Erica was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was understandably fearful of what was to come.

“I was so scared, but everyone I came in contact with was so kind and reassuring,” she said. “The nurses and doctors were very thorough to answer any questions my family or I had.”

Erica’s team of clinical experts included Anuj Agarwala, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician focused on medical oncology; Chandrika Patel, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network certified physician specializing in radiation oncology; along with Danielle, her nurse navigator, and Linda, her nurse during chemotherapy.

“The kindness and attention I received was one of a kind,” she said. “I think, overall, that everyone I’ve spoken with or seen has been so kind and sympathetic.”

Erica's Story

Hope G.Hope and her family

I am the president and CEO of my home. I felt terribly guilty that I was letting my family down, and, on top of that, the cost of treatment was astronomical.

“Cancer knocks the rose-colored glasses off your face.”

That’s how busy mother of three young boys Hope describes being diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2018.

She was scared and anxious, but she was immediately put at ease through her first call with the receptionist in the office of Christina Kim, MD, an MD Anderson Cancer Network® certified physician specializing in breast surgery.

In a matter of days, Hope and her husband Tom were meeting with Dr. Kim and members of her team, including Betsy, a nurse who would be Hope’s nurse navigator. That experience only made her feel better about her choice to seek care through Community Health Network.

“We’re sitting around a conference room table talking about the horrible thing I’m going to go through, and we’re laughing,” she said. “It was incredible.”

Hope's Story