~Kathy Fry

As of October 15 2014 it has been ten years for me as a survivor. HEERS TO HOPE! My kids were amazing thru (my diagnosis and treatment). Later, they developed PTSD and had to cope. I've lived long enough to see my kids grow and see 5 grandchildren . I am blessed. I've also got latent long term side effects. A pituitary tumor on watch and wait. I am paralyzed from contracting Guillian Barre cause my immune system is shot. I did not fully recover. I still have seizure disorder and brain deficits.

All of this might have been avoided if I had had the fortitude to get it taken care of right away. A place like this lodge would have been a godsend for me and my two kids. Won't you help us help others ? Please give what you can, lives depend on you and me acting. Thanks for reading.

~Sara

"Anxiety is so normal. After my SCT, I felt lost. People just assume you're "fine," and expect you to move on with your life and forget about the fact that you HAD cancer - they are sure it won't come back. Those without cancer want to see success stories -partly, I assume, because they're so afraid of getting it themselves.My friends and family only liked seeing me totally positive. It's been almost 2 years for me and I still feel that cancer is a huge part of me. I do NOT mean that I think it's coming back or feel frightened (much) anymore. But anxiety is normal - and we all have it in such different ways."

~EL

"We're forever changed on the inside. I recall when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 81 (I was 55) and I didn't really understand how cancer operates. I certainly didn't comprehend how insidious it is, how treatments are only part of the process, and how remission can leave one vulnerable to anxiety."

~Mindy

Cancer Organizations

"Cancer can have a huge effect on your emotions, as well as on the practical aspects of your life. You may experience shock, fear, anger, sadness, loneliness or depression. These feelings may occur at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, or when you're recovering and adjusting to life after treatment."

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/

"If you are fighting cancer, it is not uncommom to experience psychological distress. Whether you are coping with the diagnosis, the challenges of treatment, or the continued worry about a recurrence, emotions brought on by the cancer experience can be difficult to handle. Addressing your psychological well-being can help you feel more relaxed and in control, cope better during treatment, overcome anxiety and depression, and enjoy life."

http://www.cancercenter.com/

"When you began your cancer treatment, you couldn't wait for the day you'd finish. But now that you've completed your treatment, you aren't sure if you're ready for life after treatment as a cancer survivor. Everything you're feeling right now is normal for cancer survivors. Recovering from cancer isn't just about your body - it's also about healing your mind. So take time to acknowledge the fear, grief and loneliness you're feeling right now. Then take steps to understand why you feel these emotions and what you can do about them."

http://mayoclinic.org/

"Dealing with an illness as serious as cancer is no small thing. A cancer diagnosis is often accompanied with swift and aggressive treatment, and it's all but expected that a person will be overwhelmed, worried, fearful and anxious while doctors focus on their medical well-being. It's true that anxiety and depression are two very real and very commom consequences of a cancer diagnosis. But just because they're expected doesn't mean they can or should be ignored. Addressing the mental health needs of cancer patients at all stages is essential, and counseling for cancer patients is valuable for its own sake. But it does go a step further: failing to address these concerns may actually decrease the patient's odds of recovery."

http://goodtherapy.org

Cancer does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Neither do we.

Renwed Hope/Esperanza Renovada welcomes EVERYONE. Our lodge will be a welcoming place for all. Whether you are vacationing in Puerto Rico, you have experienced the devastating effects of being diagnosed with cancer, or you care for someone who has...regardless of where you come from or what your belief system might be, we welcome you.

Renewd Hope/Esperanza Renovada is truly a project of, for, and about all of us.

"Please help provide renewed hope to cancer survivors by making a donation"