| Celebrate Life Benefits Local Couple Stuggling with Cancer, Job Loss |
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August 2011
The gas vouchers and grocery store coupons might seem like little things to some people but not to Donald and Sharon Lincks. The Bonner’s Ferry couple has their hands full, so the little things they receive from a program called Celebrate Life mean a lot.
Over two years ago, doctors diagnosed Donald with lung cancer, which has since metastasized into his brain. Treatment of Donald’s cancer often means four doctor’s appointments a week, traveling hundreds of miles. One of those appointments is at the Kootenai Cancer Center at Bonner General Hospital. There, Donald and Sharon, have been receiving the vouchers, gift certificates and coupons from Celebrate Life.
“Every little bit helps,” says Sharon, who recently lost her job while caring for Donald.
Celebrate Life, started eight years ago by Julie Walkington and January Tuinstra, provides local cancer patients and their families the means to obtain the little things rarely thought about, like a tank of gas, a meal at a restaurant or multivitamins from the grocery store.
Inspired by watching her sister, Jenny Meyer, battle breast cancer, Julie stresses, “we keep it simple, she encouraged us to remember the impact simple acts make in the midst of a life and death fight.”
Jenny passed away from breast cancer in June 2008, but her vision continues to touch those in her community like Sharon and Donald through Celebrate Life.
“The little things Celebrate Life provides are a blessing,” says Sharon. “It’s nice to receive something simple like a gift certificate to a restaurant. Then, you can do something fun. It’s not always about the cancer. It’s a big boost to know that people are there to support us.” |
