A local woman turns her heartbreak into help for others impacted by cancer
A local woman has turned her pain into purpose. She’s created a cancer resource guide for others going through the same struggles she and her family have faced. Jenna Ellis, a local woman, has turned her grief into a purpose after her husband, Bryan Ellis, died of cancer. She has created a cancer resource guide for others who are dealing with the same struggles she and her family have faced. The Victory Center, which provides free programs and support services to cancer patients, survivors and their families, was one of the places that inspired Jenna Ellis to reach out and help others. The guide includes resources such as art therapy, grief support, and summer camps for children impacted by cancer. Despite the hard times, Jenna Ellis maintains a close relationship with her husband and children.
Publicados : 4 semanas atrás por Lissa Guyton no
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A local woman has turned her pain into purpose. She’s created a cancer resource guide for others going through the same struggles she and her family have faced.
The Victory Center provides free programs and support services to cancer patients, survivors and their families. It’s one of the places that inspired Jenna Ellis to reach out and help others after her husband died of cancer.
“Bryan was truly a remarkable person, always giving back and giving of himself. He was one of the best people ever,” Jenna Ellis said.
Bryan Ellis was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2022. He died in August of last year.
“Even as hard as this journey has been, I would choose him over and over and over again,” Jenna Ellis said.
Jenna Ellis said she and her two children, Annabelle and Landon, have found comfort in a number of places including The Victory Center.
“It can be such an isolating feeling‚ not knowing what to do and where to turn,” Jenna Ellis said.
We were at The Victory Center Thursday as Jenna shared her story for a video the organization does every year called Faces of Victory.
“We love The Victory Center. It helped us feel not so isolated in a group no one wants to be part of,” Jenna Ellis said.
Jenna Ellis’ children have done art therapy at The Victory Center. She says they’ve also been part of programs at Good Grief, local non-profit organization that supports children coping with the loss of someone significant in their lives. And they attended The University of Toledo chapter of Camp Kesem, a college student-driven organization that offers free summer camps for children who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer.
Those are some of the resources she included in her guide.
“Everybody means well when they give your resource help, but when you feel like you are sinking and someone hands you 10 brochures, you don’t have time to think about all of it. You are just in survival mode,” Jenna Ellis said.
Jenna Ellis hopes her guide will help people put all the pieces together.
“We pivot all the time and do the best we can, hoping through this we can help others,” Jenna Ellis said.
Through all the good and bad days, an important reminder of her husband is never out of Jenna’s sight -- a tattoo on her arm.
“This is a cross that says faith and then this is Bryan’s handwriting saying I am always with you and a heart he made. When I am fearful and I forget how strong I am, I definitely look to this for comfort,” Jenna Ellis said.