Nothing prepares you for
it. Nothing could.
I was 49 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November
2004. My friends and health care professionals suggested many things
to help me get through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Aside
from products given to me by two dental hygienists, a lot of energy
was spent tracking down various items.
During and in between treatments, I knew I wanted to share my experiences.
I often thought, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything a cancer
patient might need came organized in a kit?" I started Hurdle Jumpers®
to assist others who are about to start or are in the midst of cancer
treatment. Our kits are designed to make a difference because they
are conceived from a patient's perspective. Each kit will help patients
& caregivers be involved and active in their care, help reduce
stress and anxiety, and help gain a sense of control. As a cancer
survivor, I know what it feels like to start the journey to wellness.
The first generation Hurdle Jumpers® kits are "my chemo care
kit" and "my radiation care kit". All Hurdle Jumpers®
kits have a practical focus: to give patients a sense of control
through education and knowledge, along with the items on hand if
and when needed. This will make it easier to get through the medical
experience and manage related side effects. At first
I thought the kits would be for breast cancer patients, like myself,
but I quickly realized other types of cancer patients could
benefit as well.
Both kits contain a sheet of reminders and tips, donated samples
and A Blue Day Book- A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up
by Bradley Trevor Greive. I found these products and comfort items
enormously helpful during months of chemo, before and after surgeries,
and during radiation treatments.
Other planned kits include: "kids chemo care",
"pre- and post- surgery"; there are new ideas everyday;
for now, Hurdle Jumpers® is focused on chemo and radiation. And there
are plans to work with manufacturers to make full-size units of
the products included in each kit available to underserved and minority
communities.
Our goal is to provide these kits free of charge. We want the patient
to focus on getting well, rather than having to re-invent the wheel.
This was an unmet need .until now.
The response from industry has been incredible; virtually all items
in our kits have been donated. These nationally recognized pharmaceutical
and consumer health companies are equally convinced of the Hurdle
Jumpers® valuable and important mission.
We are a non-profit public benefit corporation; exempt under Internal
Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). We look forward to hearing from
you.
- Janet Halbert, Founder & Cancer Survivor |
