About Sponsoring Survivorship
Our Personal Victories in a Life Worth Living
Each year our efforts have proven that we can all contribute to the battle against breast cancer.
With the help of donations and our community we have assisted local women and men with some of the costs associated with their struggle against breast cancer.
The cancer journey is sometimes lonely and frustrating. It can also be an opportunity for friendship, support, personal growth, humor, and fulfillment.
The quality of our lives and our struggles can be defined by those who we see as our friends and for whom we offer our friendship and our support.
In a day of celebration you too can help us make a difference. Join us in a run that will make us all winners in the battle against breast cancer!
Our Story
Never Give Up. Your Story Isn’t Over
30 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 6 years old.
The only thing I really remember from that time was being told, “The next time you see your mom may be the last time. She’s not coming home from the hospital.” She was being treated by some of the best doctors at Stanford and was still given only a 5% chance of survival.
This photo was taken on what I believed would be the last time I would ever see my mom.
But it wasn’t.
She came home. The doctors called her a miracle.
Thirty years later, she continues to thrive in remission. My love and admiration for my mom have only grown stronger over the years, and her faith, courage, and determination continue to inspire our family and everyone who knows her.
My mom is the heart behind Sponsoring Survivorship and the reason this organization exists. Her story is a reminder that even when the odds seem impossible, hope remains. Every person facing breast cancer deserves encouragement, compassion, and the knowledge that they are not alone.
One of my favorite things about this new photo is what it represents. It isn’t just a picture of a mother and daughter—it is a picture of thirty more years of birthdays, holidays, laughter, milestones, and memories we were blessed to share together.
Her words to me have always stayed with me:
“I made the decision to live, and that was it. I told God I would let Him walk with me through this journey.”
My hope is that our family’s story reminds every person facing breast cancer that hope is real, miracles still happen, and your story isn’t over yet.
Never give up. Your story isn’t over.
Sponsoring Survivorship, Established 1996
Support With the Struggle Against Breast Cancer
Established in 1996, Sponsoring Survivorship began its supporting efforts when founder Julie Kelley was facing the challenge of her mother Darla Petranek having been given the grave diagnosis of breast cancer with a mere 5% chance of survival.
As a marathon runner, Julie would run virtually for miles. Often on her daily runs she would see longtime family friend Shirley Crawford (cofounder). They would talk about Darla's amazing recovery but also the emotional and physical challenges of cancer and what they could do to help others so that anyone facing breast cancer would never feel alone.
Shirley set Sponsoring Survivorship in motion by suggesting a walk in honor of Julie's mother. What began as a small caring group of 17 friends in 1996 has grown to hundreds of supporters. To date Sponsoring Survivorship has helped over 200 men and women in Lake County financially and emotionally with the dream to help hundreds more.
Survivors of Cancer make a huge family, a family in which many of the members have never met, but have formed a common bond of experience and life trial. We understand the challenges and the hardships of surviving. We are bound by our mutual support, our humor, our fears, and our courage. At times we may need support in meeting our treatment and medical costs. We are here to help.
Sponsoring Survivorship was established to help local women and men cover costs associated with their struggle against breast cancer.
Application For Assistance
We're Here to Help
Financial assistance is available to women and men through Sponsoring Survivorship who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in Lake County CA.
Sponsoring Survivorship is a nonprofit organization based in this community dedicated to assisting women and men in their battle against breast cancer.
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If you are in need of special assistance associated with cancer treatment or other costs directly associated with your cancer treatment please fill out our form.
If you would like to Volunteer with Sponsoring Survivorship, please contact us with the form below.
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If you would like to be on our email list to keep up with Sponsoring Survivorship
Contact Us
Please send us a message and we will get back to you!
sponsoringsurvivorshiplc@gmail.com
P.O. Box 1924
Lakeport, California
95453
Call
Brandi Meier at 432-614-7707 or
Julie Kelley at 707-972-0286