The OLMC Cancer Ministry are parishioners who are cancer survivors, have a loved one with or who passed from this disease or are currently battling cancer.  For those of us in this ministry, July 22, 2021, October 4, 2018, July 7, 2017, and July 12, 2004, are dates we will never forget.  Ask any cancer patient when their doctor called requesting them to come to the office to discuss a biopsy or their surgery date; likely, they will recall the date.  This doctor's call stops one in one’s tracks imprinting the date to memory not only for the recipient but for the spouse and family members when they hear the news.  We pray, cry, Google, worry, and then Google more.  Once we start Googling, we find an infinite amount of information.  We then pray, cry, Google, worry, and then Google even more.  Simultaneously our loved ones are doing the same thing.  It becomes overwhelming.

We all know about the pink ribbon for breast cancer.  It gets people walking and talking about their cancer.  Our group cannot say enough about the pink ribbon and the money raised for breast cancer research, as it helps all cancers, but there are twenty-seven cancer ribbons out there each represented by a different colored ribbon, pink being one of them.  These multiple cancer types have been bundled into a single inclusive lavender ribbon representing all cancers.  This is why we have chosen to adopt this lavender ribbon for our ministry’s work to help those suffering from all types of cancers.

Mission
To develop a network of cancer survivors and their caregivers to support OLMC parishioners newly diagnosed or currently with cancer, their spouses and family members in any way we can. 

Vision
Become a ministry for all OLMC parishioners to naturally reach out to when they or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.

Goal
Comprehensive support of all OLMC parishioners impacted by cancer who contact us through:

Monthly meetings for all impacted by cancer to come together
Prayer offerings via our prayer group and the many prayer networks from there
Linking someone with a survivor of a like cancer
Meals for family members with someone in the hospital
Pamphlets from the American Cancer Society
Occasional expert speakers
Other ways that unfold as we grow.