Christmas Without Cancer is a non-profit organization that provides holiday gifts, as well as basic necessities to local families that are stricken with cancer. The organization was started, in 2003, by an oncology nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center, in Oak Lawn, Illinois. She was moved by the struggles of families undergoing cancer treatments and the toll it takes on them emotionally, physically and financially. She began by “adopting” a family in need, asked friends and family for donations to provide Christmas presents and gift cards for gasoline and groceries.
Over the years, Christmas Without Cancer has helped over 40 families during the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, cancer strikes families not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year. Due to our direct contact with cancer patients on a daily basis, we understand that cancer affects the entire family, not just the patient. We have seen parents who cannot work because they are taking care of their cancer-stricken children along with spouses and parents who are unable to work because they are undergoing treatment and often are unable to pay their mortgage. In addition, many people are unable to pay for their cancer medications. These are the families that Christmas Without Cancer would like to be able to help all year, not just during the Holiday Season.
If you would like more information about Christmas Without Cancer, please send us a message on our Contact page.