West Fight On: Breaking Barriers to Cancer Care!
Registration is officially open for the 12th annual West Fight On, sponsored by Sedgwick and First Horizon Foundation. Our premier fundraising event features three different cycling routes, a 5k and a one-mile tribute walk to raise money to support the life-saving services West Cancer Foundation provides.
Whether you cycle, run, walk or simply donate and cheer us on, you are making a difference in the fight against cancer!
Join us Saturday, September 7, at Shelby Farms Park and help us break barriers to cancer care.
For details and to register, please visit WestFightOn.org
After Helping Others with Cancer and Other Illnesses, Jacquelyn Found Herself in Need of Assistance
Jacquelyn’s cancer journey began in June of 2022 when she was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. The following March, she had a lumpectomy and during the surgery, doctors found cancer in her left breast. She then found herself needing assistance acquiring a lymphedema sleeve – something her insurance did not cover. Fortunately, after referring someone to West Cancer Foundation a few months prior, Jacquelyn knew exactly where to turn. “I reached out to West Cancer Foundation and found out that they were there for me, ready to provide this critical item. It really made a difference.”
Generosity Begets More Generosity
We’re thrilled to announce two important milestone gifts to the recently launched Lee S. Schwartzberg Endowed Research Program. Florida-based Total Health, the largest provider of free oncology medical education in the country, has committed $150,000. In addition to support from Total Health, the Schwartzberg family has generously pledged to invest $50,000 in the fund. These gifts, along with other donations that have been received, are a profound endorsement of this initiative and its impact through future discoveries and advancements in cancer care.
“We are deeply honored to contribute to the vital work being done by West Cancer Foundation in Memphis,” said Sarah Loudin, Founder and Executive Director of Total Health. “This gift is not just a financial contribution, but a symbol of hope and support for every individual and family affected by cancer. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those fighting this disease, and we are committed to supporting the advancements in research and care that the foundation champions.”
Learn more about the Lee S. Schwartzberg Endowed Research Program.
New Improvements in Lung Cancer Detection Have Increased National Survival Rates
Lung cancer remains the most lethal form of cancer, killing about 135,000 Americans a year – more than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined – which is why many people still think of a diagnosis as non-curable. But with new treatments and technology, the survival rates from lung cancer are dramatically improving, allowing some patients with relatively late-stage cancers to live for years longer. New improvements in lung cancer detection and treatment have helped increase national survival rates by 22% in just five years – a rapid improvement over a relatively short time.
To learn more about new detection methods and treatment, click here.
Welcome to the West Cancer Foundation Team: Stephanie Douglas
Please welcome to the West Cancer Foundation team our new Vice President of Development, Stephanie Douglas! Stephanie has been in Sales and Development for nearly 20 years. She joins the West Cancer Foundation team with a wealth of knowledge and experience in various types of fundraising platforms. She spent the last five and a half years of her career at the United Way of the Mid-South where she worked with some of the largest corporations in Memphis. Stephanie has experience in employee giving campaigns, sponsorships, corporate gifts, special events, digital giving, community engagement and more. She approaches fundraising with an adaptive mindset, sustaining revenue under challenging conditions, such as COVID-19, and effectively managing priority partner workplace campaigns exceeding $3 million annually. Her ability to build and nurture relationships will be a HUGE asset to our organization and we are thrilled to have her on the team!
In addition to West Fight On, Stephanie’s primary duties at WCF include developing a full and diverse suite of giving opportunities to include employee giving, monthly giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, and text-to-give, as well as implementing creative ways to expand our donor base.
A Huntsville, AL, native, Stephanie moved to Memphis to attend the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys spending time with her two adult children, being outside anytime she can, being active and traveling.
You can connect with Stephanie by emailing her at sdouglas@westcancerfoundation.
Our Mission
West Cancer Foundation’s mission is to break through barriers to cancer care and improve patient outcomes by providing accessible patient resources, early detection and education, and community-based research.
