Dawn and Phil: Moving Beyond Cancer in 2024

Hi, I’m Lindsey Warren and I’m fundraising for my dear friends Dawn Hancy and Phil Yacovella who were hit with a double whammy this summer! They have given so much to their community for years and now I’m calling on you to help them through this very difficult time. Please read their story, chip in as you are able and share with your networks so together we can help them get back to health, back to work and helping others.

Dire Diagnoses

Dawn is recovering from a recent hysterectomy to remove cervical cancer so she’s restricted in her movement and energy. Phil is suffering from two slipped discs in his neck/upper back, in constant pain, and unable to use his left (dominant) hand, causing his angina to flare, and aggravating his chronic lower back condition.

Phil has been unable to work since early July due to numbness and intense pain in his hand, arm, neck and back. He has been to three hospitals for a heart attack as well as his neck and back, including a heart catheter, CT and MRI scans, steroid pills and injection. He normally keeps intricate industrial machinery running at a busy manufacturing facility so it’s uncertain when or whether he’ll be able to fully return to that position.

While Dawn is recovering from surgery, she's also caring for Phil and the household, driving him to multiple weekly appointments, continuing her self-care and receiving support to heal and prevent spread or recurrence of any remaining cancerous cells. This currently makes it impossible for her to resume her usual work teaching Reiki healing arts and designing websites.

Gratitude & How to Help

It has been a rough year, starting with both of them recovering from COVID! And it hasn’t gotten any easier, but they’re doing all they reasonably can for themselves while welcoming generous help from family, friends and community. This kindness has been invaluable in providing occasional help with meals, cleaning, errands, heavy lifting, Reiki healing, companionship, horse chores, yard work, books, prayers, advocacy and notetaking at doctors’ appointments, driving, hospital visits and even a kitten!

While they are deeply grateful for these contributions, now they are in need of financial help since they are unable to work to cover household expenses and much needed healing support. Any contribution is deeply appreciated and they look forward to celebrating together with you once they’re feeling strong enough, perhaps in the upcoming holiday season.

Can you chip in and help support Dawn and Phil in this time of need? Thank you so much!!