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Emily Eyres

eeyres@lungcanceralliance.org

202-463-2080

Lung Cancer Alliance and Compassionate Communications

Announce Partnership

August 14, 2008 Washington, DC -- Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) announced today its partnership with Compassionate Communications, a nationwide program that is transforming the experience of charitable giving. Compassionate Communications is an Internet-based patient outreach program that allows individuals to send personalized greeting cards and messages of support and encouragement to cancer patients, while at the same time raising awareness and funds for LCA’s unique patient support and empowerment programs. 

“Here at LCA there is one question that I consistently hear, ‘What can I do to help?’” says Emily Eyres, Director of Development for LCA. “Through this partnership we have an innovative and powerful tool that allows concerned individuals to provide hope, compassion and support for others touched by this disease, while meeting their own charitable goals”. 

You can participate in the program by visiting the Compassionate Communications website at www.compassionatecommunications.com.

By participating in the program you support the patients through your notes of encouragement, compassion and inspiration while simultaneously raising awareness and funds for LCA. With each purchase of $25, supporters receive (5) five high quality Hallmark cards. These specially designed cards are pre-addressed and postage paid, with return postcards included so that the patients can acknowledge the card senders. The Compassionate Communications technology also allows you to upload your picture to the cards that are individually printed for each order, allowing the patients to see your picture while reading your notes of inspiration.

Patient’s biographies are written by the participants themselves allowing the card senders the opportunity to learn more about each patient helping to make that important personal one-to-one connection.  Twenty-five percent (25%) of every card purchase is returned to LCA to assist with the fulfillment of its unique mission.

Compassionate Communications was founded by Greg Voisen and inspired by his personal family experience with cancer. “When our son Sean was diagnosed with leukemia, it changed our lives forever. Everyday families and patients navigate the maze, and learn how to cope with their diagnosis. Many are totally dependent upon their immediate family and friends for emotional support. I wanted to help individuals emotionally and spiritually by building communities of support beyond their immediate families and friends. I was seeking to create an intentional act of compassion, through unexpected notes of encouragement and inspiration from individuals previously not connected to these patients. I knew there were enough people who would care enough to reach out and support them, while at the same time supporting the charity of their choice.”

Now in remission Sean, a very talented computer programmer, has worked with his father to devise and build the technology behind Compassionate Communications and works to bring patients and those supporting them together. By collaborating with Hallmark Business Expressions a division of Hallmark Cards, Greg and Sean were able to expand their idea by bringing quality cards, and the exceptional service that Hallmark is known for while servicing this underserved community of cancer patients. 

LCA invites anyone to participate in the Compassionate Communications program, allowing friends and family members to send cards with personal, handwritten messages to those living with lung cancer. Each time cards are sent, LCA receives another donation to continue helping others. Please visit www.compassionatecommunications.com today.

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