Woman reaches out to moms with breast cancer

The telephone calls for help come in at a steady pace. Lauren Daniels, 40, of Scottsdale, understands the callers’ pain.

“Our goal is to never turn away a mom in need,” said Daniels, a breast cancer survivor, who made it her mission to help fellow mothers battling cancer.

Daniels, a mother of three — whose youngest was 1 year old at the time of her diagnosis — said facing cancer when she was 35 forever changed her life.

Grateful that she had the support of her husband, Sean, her family and friends, Daniels said she started thinking about other mothers out there trying to deal with their own fight against cancer. Especially the ones who were worried about being able to raise their families while sick and pay their bills on time.

Within a year of her diagnosis — which was followed by three surgeries — Daniels created the Happily Ever After League (HEAL), a Scottsdale-based

nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to mothers with cancer.

Now, nearly four years later, she says the calls from mothers asking for assistance from HEAL continues to increase at a fast clip.

Since starting the organization, Daniels said well over 200 mothers in the Valley , who have at least one dependent child living with them, have been given one-time HEAL monetary grants toward medical expenses, utility bills and rent.

But within the past six months, Daniels said the number of mothers referred to HEAL has doubled.

While the organization typically has enough funds to help an average of five mothers a month, dollars are now stretched to help an average of ten mothers a month.

The challenge, she says, is making sure enough funds are coming in to issue the grants and maintain the Healing House — a center in Scottsdale, which debuted last October — that hosts events and outings for mothers with or recovering from cancer and their families.

Daniels said HEAL is always on the outlook for donations (www.happilyeverafterleague.org). The organization’s April Fairy Tale Tea and Fashion Show recently sold out. Its next event will be a Market Day, where gently used clothing and household goods will be distributed to mothers in need on April 26.

Cancer survivor Shelly Adams, 42, of central Phoenix, said she has been coming to the Healing House for breast cancer support meetings and events since its opening.

“I wish I knew about them when I was diagnosed,” said Adams, who described the center as “warm and homey.”

Adams, a divorced mother of a 5-year-old son, said she was appreciative of the HEAL grant she received. “You don’t realize the cost of medicine and co-payments each time you go for treatment,” said Adams, who took a leave of absence from her advertising job while in treatment. She said she had to sell her car to raise the $3,000 in medical costs her insurance plan didn’t cover.

More than anything, Adams said the camaraderie from the women at HEAL who were dealing with similar life issues has helped her with her recovery.

“They are my second family.”

HOW TO HELP

WHAT: HEAL Market Day. Gently used clothing and household items are currently being collected for mothers in need.
WHEN: Items should be donated (by appointment) prior to Saturday, April 26. Ongoing collection for monetary donations.
WHERE: Healing House, 5810 E. Waltann, Scottsdale.
Information: www.happilyeverafterleague.org; (480) 275-0613