CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Cancer can be especially difficult if a patient doesn’t have a large family or circle of close friends to help. That’s when ChemoGuardians steps in with care and support, with a theme of “no one fights alone.”
ChemoGuardians is a nonprofit founded locally by Chris Erlendsson to help those who feel alone dealing with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
ChemoGuardians provides free transportation to and from cancer appointments, staying with the patient during the entire treatment and providing a meal afterward. They also pray for the patient throughout the process, from diagnosis to remission, and until they hear the words that they are “cancer free.”
Jennifer Lathrop is a board member for ChemoGuardians and was a patient before becoming a volunteer. Twelve years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer. She had just gone through a divorce, her children were preschool age, and she had to maneuver through the cancer treatment alone.
“Going through the treatments alone was very difficult. It’s hard to stay positive with the depression and the fighting, it is a battle, but I made it through,” Lathrop said.
Cancer struck Lathrop again a few years later, and a friend told her about ChemoGuardians. Lathrop contacted Erlendsson, and the organization gave her tremendous support.
“They made sure I got to my appointments, they stayed with me, they kept me laughing when I was not feeling the best from the chemotherapy. My guardian would look at me and just know that I needed someone there,” she said.
She said ChemoGuardians made such a difference in her life, she wanted to give back and become a volunteer.
Erlendsson said they are looking for two types of volunteers: drivers to provide transportation, and guardians who stay with patients at treatment and make sure they have everything they need.
Dnations are always needed. Erlendesson says it costs them about $80 a day to run two vehicles transporting patients.
To learn more about the work of ChemoGuardians, to make a donation or to volunteer, visit chemoguardians.org, email info@chemoguardians.org, or call or text 931-622-4825.