Bringing Comfort When It's Needed Most
By Amber Ward

Julian resident Laura Armstrong shines a little light on the days of those suffering with cancer through her organization,

ChemoAngels.

Organized online through Armstrong's home office, ChemoAngels encourages volunteers to send weekly cards, letters and small gifts to cancer victims. Laura matches her "angel" volunteers with cancer patients. Through the years, Laura has been able to recruit several thousand angels to serve the thousands of patients eligible for the program.

Laura, a stay-at-home mom with three sons, moved to Julian six years ago with her husband, Stephan Leuthi. Shortly after moving to the mountains, she started ChemoAngels. The program is in memory of her father, who died from pancreatic cancer in 1989.

Several years ago, when Laura was pregnant with her third son, Charlie, she joined an online support group for expectant mothers. Through the support group, she met "Lynn," who had recently developed breast cancer and was receiving chemotherapy treatments.

Original Angel Laura Armstrong with her 7-year old son, Charlie. Photo by Coral Von Zumwaltson

Remembering how cards had lifted her father's spirit during his illness, Laura sent Lynn encouraging cards and small gifts weekly. Lynn wrote to Laura, thanking her for her thoughtfulness, and called her "my ChemoAngel." This inspired Laura to create an organization that would help other cancer patients through difficult times.

Participants in the ChemoAngels program are from all over the world, and operate anonymously. One patient generally has two angels, one to send cards and letters, and another that will send gifts.

Laura has set up varying levels of commitment for those interested in the ChemoAngels program. There are full-time ChemoAngels who send cards, small gifts and encouraging notes throughout a patient's treatment. CardAngels send cards to patients who have already been assigned a full-time angel. SupportAngels support the program financially. Angels must make a minimum commitment to contact their patient at least once a week. Every angel pays for postage and gifts out of their own pocket.

ChemoAngel patients are able to sit back and enjoy the mail. The program's goal is to make patients happy. Patients need not ever respond to their angel, although they (or someone acting for them) are required to report back to administration monthly.

The idea is to simply send love and encouragement. The ChemoAngels group also picks up "special assignments" where the entire group will funnel support and gifts to a "special" patient.

Illinois resident Laura Valentine, 13, a victim of kidney cancer, was one of ChemoAngels' "special assignments."

Laura's mother, Sandy, signed her up for a ChemoAngel. After several thousand cards and gifts arrived at Laura's door for Valentine's Day 2001, Laura's mother felt that the program had "Laura excited about life again, just to see what would come in the mail."

Laura Armstrong and Laura Valentine's story was featured in People Magazine. ChemoAngels is an organization that has been recognized on national and global levels, through television broadcasts and newspaper articles.

Prospective patients and volunteers can sign up at the ChemoAngels Web site by filling out questionnaires. Laura tries to match compatible people, geography is not important.

Laura has also developed a sister program, SeniorAngels, which pairs volunteers with the elderly, who are either confined to nursing homes or convalescent hospitals. A SeniorAngel sends cards, cheerful notes and small gifts weekly.

If you are interested in becoming an angel, or know someone in need of an angel, or would like more information visit www.ChemoAngels.com.