Tigerlily Foundation and Unity are excited to partner to offer young women diagnosed with breast cancer spiritual outreach and support during and after breast cancer.
Maimah’s Story
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer my life changed forever. I found myself in a shaky place. Everything that I’d based my foundation on seemed to be falling apart. For weeks, I struggled to find answers. I wanted to know what would happen to me. I wanted to be healed from cancer. I did not want to die. One day I had an epiphany. First, it occurred to me that no one gets out of life alive – whether it’s cancer or some other way, we all die at some point. I needed to reclaim the power that I “thought” cancer had taken from me. The second thing that happened was that I needed an anchor – a foundation of something more, a deeper relationship with God. No human or earthly thing could give me the peace I was seeking. I began to pray with more passion, and found my connection with God growing. One day, I woke up and felt overwhelmed by the deep sense of gratitude that I felt. I realized that I wasn’t angry at cancer anymore. I was alive and even more importantly, I was awake in my life. I was grateful that the experience of cancer had helped me to realize that there was a deeper meaning to life than I had been living. So now, whatever the outcome of my physical body, my spirit and soul felt restored. I was healed in a deeper way. I was experiencing a peace, connection and inner healing that I had surpassed anything I felt before. I want my legacy to be that inspire others who are scared, unsure, broken, and in need of healing, to seek and find, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…”(Philippians 4:7)
Jim’s Story
It was my daughter who was diagnosed with the disease. She fought valiantly through a year of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, and at the end of that regimen, she was declared cancer-free … for one year. Then it came back.
She fought for more than three years until she finally made her transition in the spring of 2015 at the age of 25. It was the most horrible experience of my life to witness her continued suffering while free-falling into feelings of powerlessness, pain, and complete helplessness. Sometimes it felt like too much for me to bear, so I dared not imagine what it must have been like for her. I could see the same feelings playing out on the faces of other caregivers, family members, and those afflicted like my daughter, in the waiting rooms and treatment centers we frequented. I felt for them because I was them. When I returned to work at Unity World Headquarters in the fall of 2016, I promised to find a way to better help and serve those who are touched and impacted by this disease. This partnership with the Tigerlily Foundation is a way to do that.
Our two organizations are dedicated to supporting people during one of the most difficult times they will ever face, whether they are fighting the disease or fighting alongside a friend or loved one as a caregiver. We can all use a reminder from time to time that there is support beyond our human capacity, if we can open ourselves to receive it. Such faith can be difficult during a time like this. Our intention is that this partnership and the material it renders will help provide peace, inspiration, and hope at times when people need it most. If only for a few moments a day. Blessed be.
Why This Makes Sense
A cancer diagnosis changes the life of the person diagnosed and those who love them. When struggling with fear, loneliness and to find meaning from our experience, we look deeper within. Having spiritual support is critical at this time. Young women need a bridge to get them to the other side; and an anchor to ground them spiritually. With Tigerlily Foundation’s mission focusing on supporting young women – before during and after breast cancer, we are that bridge of love. We are with young women, in the trenches, from diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Unity is a spiritual community that honors all paths to God and helps people discover and live their spiritual potential and purpose. Unity affirms the power of prayer and helps people experience a stronger connection with God every day, realizing that God is within all of us. Together, Tigerlily Foundation and Unity create a powerful partnership that will deliver powerful spiritual resources to young women diagnosed with breast cancer that will transform their lives, during and after the disease – whatever the outcome.
Mission: The mission of the Tigerlily Foundation & Unity SPIRIT Partnership is to create an outreach initiative, where spirituality and faith intersect with wellness and inner healing, for young breast cancer survivors, their families, children and caregivers. We take a holistic approach to integrate spirituality with health, centered around love, affirmation, inner healing and hope.
Vision: Our vision is to integrate spirituality and prayer into cancer care, empowering young women with tools that offer them healing beyond the physical.
Tigerlily & Unity SPIRIT Programs:
