Angels among us

By MaryHelen Swanson
Surviving cancer often gives one a new outlook on life, for Tammy Nelson of Rush City, it turned her into an angel here on earth.
Nelson is a Chemo Angel, one of a growing group of volunteers across the nation whose purpose is to pamper and make life more pleasant for those going through treatment for cancer, particularly children.
Nelson, a survivor, was inspired to do something in the field of oncology while dealing with her own cancer several years ago. She even wanted to go to school to become a nurse and work in an oncology department.
Being practical, however, Nelson settled on an accounting degree, and she said thatís fine for now. But she still wanted to find some way to help cancer patients that would fit into her life while working and being a mom.
Nelson is the mother of two.
Then she saw a television news story about a Brainerd girl who needed a heart and she checked out a Web site given in the story.
It was at that site that she learned about the Chemo Angels program and she told herself it was the perfect answer.
ìIt was something I could do at home and still spend time with my kids,î she said.
The Chemo Angels program was started by Californian Laura Armstrong.
After meeting a woman online who was going through chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, Armstrong started sending cards and small gifts to the woman every week. When the womanís treatment was over, she thanked Armstrong and called her, her ìchemo angel.î
As the light bulb turned on, the Chemo Angels program was born.
Chemo Angels ìAngels,î Nelson said, get assigned to patients from around the world. Chemo Angels ìangelî by sending small gifts, cards and uplifting notes to their patients each week. Itís a way to help from your home.
When an Angel gets an assignment, they are given a list of the kinds of things their patient likes which helps in determining what to send.
While there is no cost to become an Angel, there is the cost of cards and small gifts that are sent.
Nelson, who sends something two to three times a week, said she spends about $20-$25 a month, which fits into her familyís budget.
Nelson is also paired with a ìpartnerî Angel, Lori Gray from Shoreview. She was excited to learn that her partner was also from Minnesota, many times they are not. Because they donít live far apart, Nelson was able to meet Gray and the two have found they have a lot in common.
When you become an Angel all you get is the address of your patient, Nelson said.
But each patient in the program has his or her own Web site, so Chemo Angels can meet their patients via the Internet.
While it is not unusual for Chemo Angels never to meet their patients in person, that is not the case with Nelson.
Since March, when Nelson and Gray were assigned to their patient, a five-year-old girl from Woodbury named Shea, the two have gone farther than just sending wishes and gifts each week.
In June, with the family expecting an addition, Nelson and Gray provided a baby-shower in-a-box for Sheaís family.
All the items needed for the shower were packed in a box and sent to them. They even included a disposable camera to keep the memories.
One month later, Nelson and Gray gave Shea and her family another treat - which turned out to be quite special for the Angels as well.
What they did was purchase presents for the whole family, even the dog, and had Christmas in July.
The Angel duo arrived at Sheaís home bearing gifts, holiday trimmings and even a tree.
As Angels, volunteers are instructed to be sure not to leave out siblings.
Thatís why the two included Sheaís 3-year-old brother, who loved the Christmas celebration immensely, newborn baby sister, parents and even the dog.
Nelson said it is hard to put into words what meeting Shea meant to her this summer.
On Sept. 20, Nelson will see the little girl again as she walks with Sheaís team in the Minnesota Light the Night for Leukemia event.
Shea, diagnosed with ALL (a childhood leukemia) in January, started chemotherapy immediately. In six weeks she went into remission, Nelson said, but her treatment will continue for about two years.
Nelson intends to remain Sheaís ìangelî until her treatment is done. Sheíd like to keep in contact with her beyond that, too.
She said it would be wonderful to follow her life and see her graduate from high school.
Chemo Angels are given only one patient at a time, so itís easy to see why there is a need for more volunteers.
Most of the patients receiving Chemo Angels, Nelson noted, are children under 16, because it is really tough for them to go through the extensive treatment.
Angels receives their ìwingsî when they are assigned their first patient, but, Nelson said, they can lose them if they are not doing their job.
The Chemo Angels program checks up on their Angels by talking to the families of the patients.
Applying to become a Chemo Angel is like applying for a job, Nelson said, you fill out a form and answer questions about why you want to be a Chemo Angel.
Through the Chemo Angelsí state newsletter, Nelson and Gray met two other Angels from Minnesota and theyíve all become friends.
Nelson, a 1992 graduate of Rush City High School, said sheís not giving up on a nursing career and would really like to go back to school someday to make it happen.
But for now, she enjoys brightening the days of a little girl in Woodbury.

Information about the program can be found at www.ChemoAngels.com. At this site youíll learn about the three different types of Angel volunteers: Chemo Angels, Card Angels and Support Angels. This is also where parents of children going through treatment can find an ìangelî for their child.
Chemo Angels must be 21 or older, in good health, able to spend a certain amount each month on gifts and cards and not expecting a major change in their own lives in the near future.
As noted on the Web site, it is vitally important the Chemo Angels be ì100 percent dedicated and able to follow through with this gift of love.î

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