Phil’s Corner
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
Life is full of preparations. We prepare for visitors at our house, family gatherings, work and an evening meal. Sometimes we prepare for others and sometimes others make preparations for us.
At Phil’s Friends we are currently preparing for a youth event where we will distribute around 250 care packages in one day, Walkfest 09 with Big Daddy Weave, our WMBI weekly radio clip debut and much more.
Lately, volunteers of our ministry have helped prepare meals for patients and their families, prepare tax returns, write out cards, fill care packages, and connect new patients with survivors to help prepare them for their cancer journey.
God’s word prepares us with the knowledge we need for living. Jesus prepared us with a perfect life example. The Holy Spirit prepares and equips us with everything we need for a life of service to Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I am ecstatic that Jesus has a place in heaven prepared for each of us who believe in Him.
What are you preparing for today? Who can you help today prepare for what matters tomorrow?
Serving Him,
Phil Zielke
2009 Chicago Marathon
Calling all runners….if you are interested in running the 2009 Chicago marathon on behalf of Phil’s Friends, please contact us at info@philsfriends.org. We are an official charity for the marathon and would love to have you join our team!
Save the date….2009 WalkFest with Big Daddy Weave!
Save the date! This year, Phil’s Friends will be hosting our 4th annual WalkFest on Saturday, April 25. The walkathon will occur from 12:00-5:00pm, with a Christian concert following at 5:30pm featuring Big Daddy Weave. Please note the new location, which is St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, IL. We hope you will be able to join us for this inspiring day filled with live music, live radio broadcasts, testimonies from cancer patients, great food, games for all ages, raffles, care package assembly, booths, prizes, and walking which will raise money for hundreds of cancer patients. There will be a variety of activities for adults as well as kids of all ages.
To register for this event, click here.
If you would like to donate for this event, please click here.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact us at info@philsfriends.org.
Phil’s Friends Volunteer Testimony
Cancer touched my family when I was 15 years old. My grandmother that I was very close to was diagnosed with Melanoma and she passed away a year after her diagnosis. At the time and for a long time I was very angry with God. After so many years I have understood that she was better off going to be with the Father. I have always had a heart to help others, being a Christian for so many years, and it never occurred to me that I could help and make a difference giving support to so many that are grieving and also the families that are left behind dealing with the pain. When I first heard of Phi’ls Friends on the radio about the walkathon that was going to take place in Melrose Park, it really spoke to me. It woke up inside of me a lot of emotions that I remember having when my grandma passed away. I knew it was time for me to step up and do something to share with others the love, courage & strength that God has given me through the rough times. I feel very blessed that you have given me the opportunity to join this ministry.
Thanks,
Shakyra
Phil’s Friends Patient Testimonial
Phil’s Friends are a truly amazing group of caring people who are reaching out to people with cancer, their family & friends. I stumbled on their website in 2007 after recovering from surgery. I was not searching for anything in specific and somehow ended up here. I look back now and know that God led me to Phil’s Friends and they were even located within miles of where I live! Since the end of 2007, through the whole year of 2008, and into this year, they have been there for me. They never forgot about me. The care package I received was filled with meaningful things that helped ease the pain that I was feeling. The neatest thing of all is, it seems that every time I am going through more tests and frightened about the results, I either get an email or card in the mail saying they are praying for me or how in specific can they pray for me. To know that people I never have met are praying for me is the most wonderful feeling imaginable.
A little background on me…
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, Stage 1, and in 2006 I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastasis breast cancer. I was totally taken off guard. From 2006 until September of 2007 I was doing alternative things. In the fall of 2007 I ended up in the hospital with a brain tumor. While undergoing many different types of tests they found cancer in other areas also. I continue to go for chemo weekly and am still fighting the fight. By the grace of God I am still able to work part-time and for the most part feel pretty good.
My favorite scripture verse is: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold. (I Peter 1:6-7).
In closing, if anyone reading this newsletter is dealing with cancer or has a family member or even a friend with cancer, please sign them up to receive a “Care Package”. It will make their day!
Thank you Phil & Friends for sharing the word of God and being there for people in need.
Bev
Phil’s Friends on YouTube
See our programs on YouTube here.
Youth Encounter
Phil’s Friends is looking forward to working with youth from the Chicago area who will be attending the Youth Encounter event in April. The youth groups will assemble care packages, make cards, and distribute them to patients. We are looking forwarding to fulfilling our mission with these ambitious young people!
Phil’s Friends Ministry Needs
If you would like to donate specific items to Phil’s Friends to help us continue to fulfill our mission, please contact us at info@philsfriends.org. Thank you!
Current specific needs:
- Copy machine
- Computer
- Color printer/scanner
- Specific care package items
- Office supplies (contact us at info@philsfriends.org for a list of the current and specific needs, such as address labels, business cards, etc.)
Phil’s Friends Chicagoland Chapter
Would you like to be a part of our Phil’s Friends Chicagoland chapter? We generally meet on the last Thursday of each month in Elmhurst; please see the calendar on our website for specific dates. We discuss and implement various ways of fulfilling our mission of offering hope and support to cancer patients. Attendees are cancer patients, cancer survivors, volunteers, caregivers, those who are indirectly affected by cancer, and those who want to help in making a difference. All are welcome! For more information, please contact us at info@philsfriends.org or call us at 630-577-7695.
Phil’s Friends Support Groups
Immediately following our Chicagoland chapter meetings (see above) in Elmhurst, IL, a support group meeting is held. Again, all are welcome to attend this support group. It is led by a cancer patient/ survivor and Phil’s Friends volunteer, and it’s a time to discuss how cancer has affected us directly or indirectly, how to deal with it, helps for care giving, and how we can turn to Scripture for comfort, peace, joy and guidance. Please email us at info@philsfriends.org for details and for any questions you may have. We would love to have you join our Chicagoland Chapter and Support Group!
For information about another current Christian support group in Libertyville, IL, please contact Farrel at ffort@sbcglobal.net or 847-362-8155. Also, if you are interested in the possibility of having a support group established closer to your home, please contact Farrel.
Would you like to send a care package to a cancer patient?
If you know of someone who has cancer, feel free to request a care package to be sent to them. Our care packages contain numerous comforting items as well as spiritual material inlcuding the Gospel message. We have care packages for women, men, teenagers and children. We can mail them directly to their home, we can mail them to you if you would like to deliver them personally, or we can deliver them to the patient if they are in the Chicago area. There is no cost to have these assembled and delivered. If you would like to request one, please click here.
To date, Phil’s Friends has sent out over 552 care packages, and we are following up with over 60 patients who have requested our ongoing support.
Prayer
We believe in the amazing power of prayer, and we have volunteers who pray regularly.
If you would like to add a cancer patient's name to our prayer list (with their permission) please click here.
Do you have specific prayer requests for a cancer patient? Feel free to email them to info@philsfriends.org at any time. These requests are updated continually, and our volunteers are ready to pray for your specific requests!
Adopt-a-Cancer Patient
Would you like to walk alongside a cancer patient? If you would like to be in communication with someone who is dealing with cancer to offer support and encouragement, please click here. For any questions, contcat us at info@philsfriends.org .
School/Church/Organization Representative
Would you like to be a Phil’s Friends representative at your school/church/organization? Basically, it entails simply sending us names of people to whom we can send care packages (at no cost.) These names can be people at your institution, or people there who know of others elsewhere who are dealing with cancer. We can mail packages anywhere in the US or overseas.
Phil’s Friends Merchandise
Want to sport some Phil's Friends Merchandise? Click here to view and purchase our merchandise.
Donating
Click here to make a donation for a cancer patient. Every $50 we receive allows us to assemble and deliver a care package.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
Phil's Friends is an official 501(c)3 public charity. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Phil's Friends
405 S. Rush Street
Roselle, IL 60172
630-577-7695
www.philsfriends.org
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