Phil’s Friends Newsletter – January 2009
Phil’s Corner
It wasn’t too long ago that we celebrated our “new start” in 2009. By now, if you set new year’s resolutions, chances are likely that you have failed a few times along the way. No matter how many times we fail it is great to know that we have a God who lovingly waits for us with open arms. He accepts us no matter what we have done and He welcomes the opportunity to help with our every need. Christ’s blood shed for us on the cross is the “free gift” that will never fail. Remember to thank God for His “new start” with you each day.
God’s blessings as you walk with him,
Phil
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!
Mark your calendars for our 2009 WalkFest which will be held on April 25, 2009. Note the new location which is St. Peter’s Church in Schaumburg. The walkathon will be from 12:00-5:00 with a Christian concert following at 5:30. More information will be forthcoming.
Phil’s Friends Volunteer
Dear Phil’s Friends,
I want to thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your ministry family. Cancer is no stranger to our family. My grandmother, my aunt, and my sister- in- law all were diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank God; all 3 of them are survivors!
We lost someone very dear to us this past March, my daughter Tanya. Although it was not cancer that took her, it was a lifelong illness that weakened her defenses, and finally it was pneumonia that took her home to our Lord.
She was 24 yrs young, and had struggled her whole life with surgeries, transplants, and countless visits to the hospital. Through it all, she kept her head high, and remained strong in her faith. She showed us that no matter what God has in store for us, we couldn’t let it get us down. Her motto was, “If it doesn’t kill me, it can’t hurt me”!
Tanya blessed the lives of many people, more than we even knew. At her wake, I had so many people come up to me and tell me stories of how Tanya gave them hope, and strength to beat whatever they were going through. It was then that it really hit me. When we are down, and struggling, what a better way to keep our heads high, but to help others around us.
“There is always someone out there who has it worse than me”, was something that Tanya would tell me over and over again, as she lay in her hospital bed hooked up to endless machines, facing yet another surgery. It amazed me how she could keep such a positive attitude through it all. Had it not been for our faith, family, and the support of our friends and church family, we would have been lost!
I have always been very passionate about working with, and helping people. Everything that life has dealt us has made me even more passionate about it. Had it not been for the love, support, and the word of God that we received in our darkest times, I don’t know how we would have made it through it.
I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with an organization that does just that! Phil’s Friends is all about compassion, support, and sharing God’s love with people as they face what could possibly be the toughest journey they will ever travel. Visiting with them, helping them with things that we all take for granted, praying with them and their families…. it is truly an amazing experience!!
God’s Blessings,
Jill Sandoval
Phil’s Friends Television Programs
Feel free to tune into the following programs which feature our organization:
Everlasting Love Program
Saturday, February 7th at 10pm Channel 36 CAN-TV (Cable) and again on
Sunday, February 8th at 11pm Channel 36 CAN-TV (Cable)
Everlasting Love Program
Saturday, February 14th at 10pm Channel 36 CAN-TV (Cable) and again on
Sunday, February 15th at 11pm Channel 36 CAN-TV (Cable)
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 525 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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