Retiring LivingWell leader offers a look back and look ahead with gratitude

As LivingWell Cancer Resource Center approaches its 13th anniversary, it gives me an opportunity to reflect back on the many blessings that have been part of this amazing journey. It also gives me an opportunity to give thanks for all those who have made it so very special.

Together with my teammates, colleagues, and physicians we have made great strides in advancing psychosocial support care and have accomplished a great deal.

LivingWell has earn national recognition from five cancer program accreditation bodies and became a national best practice program model.

We built a beautiful purpose-built facility that manages an average of 720 patient encounters each week. We have created long term sustainability for LivingWell by building and growing our mission and by careful stewardship of donor dollars.

What started out as a handful of program offerings is now more than one hundred evidenced-based and medically-mainstream programs. Our research project now provides the evidence that proves the significant and positive impact our staff and programs have on cancer patients/survivors and their families.

As a result of those efforts and along with incredibly positive feedback from thousands of program participants, we successfully expanded our footprint to ensure DuPage residents also will have access to our nationally recognized psychosocial support programs that will encourage, empower, support and provide hope to thousands of cancer patients and their families for many years to come.

My hope is that expansion continues so that no cancer patient or loved one has to face cancer alone.

After prayerful consideration and with the full support of my family, I have decided to retire.

Having spent my career in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years, I appreciate the fact that life really is short and I look forward to spending more time pursuing new hobbies, traveling, browsing antique shops and cheering on my grandchildren as they participate in a variety of educational and recreational endeavors.

I know that LivingWell Cancer Resource Center is in good hands and will continue to be a tremendous community asset and a critical component to comprehensive cancer care services. Thank you to the thousands of individuals, civic organizations, community foundations and local businesses for investing in our mission over these many years. Because of your tremendous support, thousands of cancer patients and their families have learned that they can count on LivingWell to make their journey with cancer a little bit easier.

With Gratitude,

Nancy S Vance

Director

Northwestern Medicine, LivingWell Cancer Resource Center

(630) 315-6803