Hannah Haworth, a new mother and an author of 10 books, was looking forward to her daughter’s first birthday. At age 40 she thought it might also be a good time to have a mammogram.
Her medical insurance plan had been suggesting it for months. Five days after her daughter’s first birthday she went in for her first mammogram. Without any symptoms, and without any family history of cancer, a tumor was diagnosed.
Devastating results. This was not on her agenda. She was a writer. She was doing well with her book series. She has a loving husband. Her daughter, Lynlee, needed her. There was simply no time to “have” cancer.
Reluctant client becomes a thriving client
During Haworth’s treatment and recovery, her husband met representatives from Cancer CAREpoint (CCP) at her hospital. He suggested that she take a look at what they do.
A reluctant Haworth said, “There were flyers at the hospital about this group that was coming to talk about cancer. Great, that is not for me. But there was something in me thinking, ‘OK, I’m gonna try one meeting.’”
The rest, as they say, is history. CCP has become an important part of Haworth’s courageous ongoing cancer recovery journey. She had one surgery, then another surgery, chemo, radiation and was looking at a year in bed. CCP became her source for learning and healing. She joined the CCP community in earnest. Others in similar situations were there as well.
Anxiety to Confidence
Haworth’s anxiety began to give way with personalized support from CCP. This support helped her feel more confident and empowered. CCP’s resources and services helped her navigate how to survive and thrive while living with cancer. Seven years after her original diagnosis, Haworth continues with CCP. She also will be the guest speaker at this year’s annual fundraising Garden Party event. She has published eight books since her diagnosis.
The CCP Annual Fundraising Garden Party will be held at the Nestldown venue in the Santa Cruz Mountains on Aug. 24.
What began as a simple gathering has blossomed into one of Silicon Valley’s premier summer events. This Garden Party now welcomes over 350 guests and raises more than $1 million. These funds help CCP to support the Bay Area’s only community-based nonprofit that offers personalized, one-on-one cancer support services. General tickets are $300.
Personalized, one-on-one support
Pam Klaus, Cancer CAREpoint’s executive director, pointed out that this year marks the 13th year of the CARE program (its initials stand for Counseling, Assistance, Resources and Education). “We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening—honoring the journey, the generosity, and the community that makes healing possible.”
At this year’s annual Garden Party, Haworth will be the keynote speaker at the sponsor reception. This event is being held at Nestldown, a little over six miles away, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. “We are very grateful to Nestldown in offering their venue for our major fundraiser and to Haworth for speaking at it,” Klaus said.
According to the group’s literature, “CCP is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Bay Area residents impacted by cancer by providing compassionate, personalized support services and programs tailored to meet individual cancer survivor needs.
“Over the past 13 years, CCP has offered individual help, comfort, and resources to those who live with cancer and their caregivers.”
Provided for adults, these programs and services are available at no cost to patients and their families. As one example of the myriad services available, the wig vault has more than 500 wigs and headcoverings. Wigs are even taken out to the hospitals.
CCP does not receive any federal or state funding, instead relying on grants and donations to keep serving the community. It is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, located at 2512 Samaritan Court, Suite A, San Jose. For more information, call 408-402-6611, visit CancerCAREpoint.org or email in**@*************nt.com.
