Trish Loftis

On Aug. 2, 2007, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Talk about changing my life in an instant! But after six months of treatment, I began to realize that community support for young adult survivors was almost non-existent. I was blessed to find Gilda’s Club but wanted more.

In 2008, I attended the I’m Still Beautiful Concert and Fashion show benefiting young adult survivors where I met the man who would empower me to help others – Matthew Zachary, founder, I’m too young for this. MZ and I talked for almost an hour and I realized that how I wanted to help and who I wanted to help, could be achieved by starting a chapter of i2y in Nashville. While it’s been a slow, challenging road, I’ve been able to reach and help others in ways I never imagined.

As a member of i2y, I’ve been able to work with Vanderbilt, Gilda’s Club, Minnie Pearl and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society getting the word out to young adult survivors, that they are not alone. I2y Nashville participates in Hockey Fights Cancer Night with the Nashville Predators, I’m Still Beautiful Concert and Fashion show, Young adult survivorship programs at Vanderbilt and many other events – with more to come.

Cancer doesn’t define my life, but I’ve been able to use my experience for the greater good. We, as young adult survivors, are not in this fight alone. Working with i2y has shown me that. Last year at Hockey Fights Cancer Night, I was approached by a woman at the end of the game. All she said was “Thank You” and hugged me. She then told me her son had been living with Leukemia for 3 years and this was the first group she had seen specifically for young adult survivors. It was the first time she felt like he wasn’t alone.

One person at a time is all it takes to make a difference.

If you would like to learn more about joining Trish Loftis in her work e-mail us at Giving Back and we’ll connect you with them.