February 2026 News

Dear CanCare Family,

This Valentine’s Day, I want to speak from the heart to our donors, clients, and volunteers—each of you who makes the CanCare mission come alive every day.

At CanCare, we see love in so many forms. We see it in the generosity of our donors, the compassion and dedication of our volunteers, and the courage of our clients who trust us to walk beside them during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Because of you, hope is shared and burdens feel lighter, and meaningful connections are made when they are needed most. Thank you for helping ensure that no one has to face cancer alone. On behalf of the entire CanCare team, thank you for the love you bring to this mission and to one another. We are deeply grateful for you.

Wishing you a beautiful and meaningful Valentine’s Day.

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With heartfelt gratitude,

Darcie Champagne Wells

President and CEO, CanCare Caregiver Volunteer

"Every step forward, no matter how small, was a victory worth celebrating."

In 2016, Lenlee received life-changing news: “malignant.” The moment was surreal and overwhelming, but with the support of her family, medical team, and CanCare volunteer Beth, she found strength and guidance.

Through texts, conversations, and daily encouragement, she learned that she wasn’t alone. Celebrating small victories, leaning on her support system, and finding healthy coping outlets—like meditation, exercise, and research—helped her navigate the challenges, including the stress of health insurance and treatment.

Her journey taught her to live in the moment and embrace hope, and now she gives back as a CanCare volunteer, connecting with other thyroid cancer warriors, sharing stories, and lifting up the community that once lifted her.

This story is a reminder that no one has to face cancer alone, and the power of compassion, connection, and support can make all the difference.

For a closer look at LenLee's journey of resilience and hope, we invite you to read her full story in Hope in the Face of Cancer.

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We are thrilled to share that our 4th annual Hope Uncorked Wine Dinner, chaired by Franelle Rogers, exceeded all expectations, raising over $170,000 to ensure no one faces cancer alone. The evening brought together passionate supporters who understand the transformative power of hope.

A moving highlight came when Board Member and CanCare volunteer Ken Tubman shared his personal story, reminding everyone why our mission matters: having a survivor by your side during the cancer journey changes everything.

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of wine hosts, table sponsors, ticket sponsors, and spirited bidders, we welcomed many new friends to the CanCare family and secured critical resources to expand our reach in 2026. Every dollar raised will directly support our work matching patients and caregivers with trained volunteers—survivors who offer the hope and understanding only lived experience can provide. What a powerful way to begin the new year!

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What an unforgettable day at the Chevron Houston 2026 Marathon! We are incredibly proud of every member of Team CanCare who showed up with heart, determination, and purpose to support Run for Hope. With every mile you ran, you helped move our mission forward and brought hope to those we serve.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteers, supporters, donors, cheer squads, and friends who made this day so special. It truly takes a community—and we are deeply grateful for every hand and every heart that showed up in support of CanCare.

We are also especially thankful to Baileson Brewing Co. for partnering with us and hosting our afterparty. Your generosity gave us the perfect way to celebrate an incredible day together.

These photos capture compassion and hope in motion.

From all of us at CanCare, thank you for making Run for Hope 2026 such a meaningful success. We can’t wait to see what 2027 brings!

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Cancer changes how you see your body, your care, and your life—and it can also reveal what truly matters most.

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Lorraine Frazier, Dean of the Columbia University School of Nursing, shares how her breast cancer diagnosis transformed both her personal life and leadership.

Drawing on her experience as a healthcare leader and survivor, Dr. Frazier reflects on the power of compassion and being truly heard, highlights hopeful advances in cancer care—especially for younger adults—and shares how movement, nutrition, faith, and stress management supported her healing journey.

This episode offers encouragement and hope for anyone impacted by cancer.

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