January 31, 2024

Dear Friends,

As we pause to reflect on 2023, we are incredibly grateful for your unwavering support. Your commitment to Faith & Gratitude has made it possible for us to continue providing assistance to cancer patients regardless of their circumstances. With heavy hearts, we share in the sadness that comes with this awful disease. Our mission of helping cancer patients strengthen their minds, bodies, and spirits during treatment and beyond couldn’t be more crucial.

Our success this past year was rooted in fostering strong relationships with community groups, likeminded nonprofit organizations, physicians, business alliances, and individuals—all dedicated to promoting our cause. Together, we were able to reach and serve more patients locally and across our country. Behind the scenes, our committed board and volunteers continued to give of their time and talents to define our annual scope and conduct our outreach programs.

Let’s look at our 2023 progress by the numbers.

  • Cancer Resource Guides. The cornerstone of our organization, our guide is embraced by patients and caregivers alike for its organizational tools and educational content. We receive requests for guides through word of mouth, on our website, and from alliance partners, including UPMC, Allegheny Health Network, Independence Health System, Our Caring Hearts, Mrs. Claus Club, and Hair Peace Charities. We distributed 304 guides last year, which is an increase of 50% from the year prior.
  • Wellness Events. Two in-person events in June and July provided interactive sessions that fostered companionship and sharing. Our first event was an amazing outdoor healing sound meditation, and our second event was an interactive workshop to raise emotional and spiritual vibrations for better healing. We had 45 people in attendance.
  • Free Wig Event. In addition to our wellness events, we were able to host a free wig event in partnership with the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. A selection of beautiful wigs were graciously donated to Faith & Gratitude. Those in treatment registered to select a wig and enjoy a moment of pure pampering. Our wig fitting consultant guided each of the 20 attendees through the process, and all left feeling gorgeous.
  • Celebration Circle. Our online support group is growing through personal connections, meaningful discussion, compassion, and love. The group meets twice a month, enabling people to gather, share, encourage, and learn in a welcoming setting. An average of 12 people participate in the group sessions.
  • One on One Support. Direct outreach, private conversations, and providing a listening ear will always e pillars of our organization. We have invested in several cancer resource books and provide them to patients based on their individual circumstances. We are honored to have worked directly with 69 cancer patients last year. What a blessing!
  • Website. Often the starting point for patients, our website is truly Faith & Gratitude’s resource center. Patients and caregivers can find information on a host of topics from complementary therapies to nutritional recipes to upcoming events. In 2023, the site had 1,800 unique visitors, a 30% increase from the previous year.
  • Speaker Series. This online series is our newest core program element. The goal is to provide firsthand insights from practitioners and specialists with an integrative, holistic approach to treating cancer. We produced two segments in 2023: Dr. Colin Champ, researcher and practicing physician in the field of radiation oncology, aired in November, and Nathan Crane, natural health researcher, author, and filmmaker, will air in March. To date, we have had 398 registrants for the series.

At the start of 2023, Faith & Gratitude’s funding was approximately $80,000 to provide these programs to cancer patients. Our total expenses of $63,000 were distributed as follows:

  • Patient Programs 84%
  • Marketing 5.4%
  • Administrative 8.4%
  • Insurance 2.2%

Throughout the year, several community fundraising events were held on our behalf that will help greatly with funding our programs. In the fall we continued with our “Gracious Giving” campaign to both businesses and individuals. Together, we were able to raise $44,000. In addition, our significant grants included $5,000 from Old Joe Charities, $2,500 from the FirstEnergy Foundation, $2,000 from the Wish Book | Pittsburgh Foundation, and $1,000 from the J Scott & Ruth Apter Charitable Foundation.

Along with the expansion of our programs, we welcomed one new board member and several committee members. We are so fortunate to work with so many talented individuals.

As we begin 2024 and continue to build on Faith & Gratitude’s platform, we are immensely grateful for your support. Because of you, we can reach and help even more individuals as they fight against cancer. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being on this journey with us and making all of this possible.

 

With much gratitude,


Lori Ball
Founder