s Rough Waters The Gift of Time Outstanding Story of Care
Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, Teresa Morgan knew she’d need help. What she didn’t know was just how impactful Cancer Navigators would be to her life. Her treatment plan would include surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation, Teresa knew she’d have to take time away from her job for surgery and healing. Armed with a belief that God had chosen her for this journey, she determined she’d walk it one step at a time. Teresa had planned ahead. She had some disability insurance. But, with therapy and healing time she knew she would not be able to return to work while undergoing treatment. That’s when her oncologist, Dr. Matt Mumber, introduced her to Lena Crooker, Floyd Breast Health Navigator, and Cancer Navigators. Through Lena, Teresa met with Angela James, learning that Cancer Navigators offers free counseling, support groups and assistance with gasoline and food. When Teresa told her she had no other source of income other than her job, Jonna immediately knew of a potential resource for her, a special grant designed to keep cancer patients financially sound while undergoing treatment. Grant Gives Her Hope Teresa applied and was granted $12,000: $2,000 per month for six months. She found out that she qualified for the grant the same day her disability income ended. The grant, she said, allowed her to stay current with her bills and focus on healing rather than worrying about money. It gave her hope. Teresa said she can’t imagine what the past few months would have been like if Cancer Navigators had not been there to help. The program has been a blessing, she said. Today, Teresa has recovered from her surgery and has completed her treatment. She returned to work at the beginning of May. She goes for checkups every three months, and is ready to share with others the gift she received from Cancer Navigators. “I feel like this is something I was chosen for,” Teresa said, her belief that Cancer Navigators was a preordained part of her journey. “God wanted to increase my faith. He wanted me to know that He had gone before me and had set everything in order for me that I would be taken care of through the process.”
Jackie Walburn tosses a daisy into the Etowah River on Sunday during the Cast Off Against Cancer fundraiser event for Cancer Navigators.
“You have to go through a test to have a testimony,” she said. “Now, I can be a blessing to someone else.”
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