This Week: Honoring The Caregivers and Family Members ♥️

By Allyson Spring

This snowy week in February, I want to recognize the often unspoken hero – the Caregiver and family members who are there providing emotional support and physical care for their families and friends.

This week isn’t just about raising money—it’s about recognizing the caregivers, the unsung heroes of every cancer journey. If you’ve ever cared for a parent, family member or friend with cancer, you know: it changes you forever.

Cancer takes a toll on patients, but caregivers fight a silent battle in the background. Whether it’s a parent, spouse, child, or friend, they sacrifice sleep, careers, and emotional well-being to provide care.

I unfortunately know this firsthand.

Watching my Moms (2) and Dad go through endless chemo rounds, radiation, immunotherapy, various drug trials and multiple other treatments (stem cell transplant) was emotionally devastating. Being present and with them at medical appointments, trips to the doctor, endless medical testing, hospital stays while also providing emotional support – listening (something I have learned to be better at 😊), advocating, communicating with their doctors and care teams in the hospital through the hard days—was a role I would have take on multiple times. I unfortunately learned a lot and each time was very different as each of their cancer diagnosis were quite different. With my Mom, I was 22 when she was diagnosed and I did not feel comfortable telling even my closest friends that my Mom had Breast Cancer, then Brain then Liver. I didn’t know anyone at that time who had a parent who was this ill. Let alone had lost a parent. I just went to work and told no one. I think I actually lost a few friends during this time because I knew of someone ask what had been going on in my life – WHAT would I even say to them? I didn’t want to be treated differently or talk about it all the time. I think back to that time many years ago and wish I felt more comfortable sharing my story. In retrospect I handled it the best way I knew how. Which leads me to the next subject of.

Unfortunately no one talks to you about….

The Emotional Toll of Caregiving 💔

Caring for a parent (family member, friend) with cancer means:

• Grieving in real-time. Every bad scan, test and struggle is another loss.

• Feeling absolutely helpless. No amount of research or effort can guarantee control or certainty of outcomes.

• Putting yourself last. Every decision revolves critically around your loved one’s survival.

Despite this, caregivers rarely get acknowledged for the very challenging and critical contributions they provide. That is why this week’s fundraising efforts are about honoring patients and caregivers alike.

The Numbers: Why We Fundraise

📌 1.9 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

📌 More than 53 million Americans provide unpaid caregiving, many for cancer patients.

📌 Every 3 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer.

📌 Blood cancer patients often require lifelong care, with many facing multiple relapses.

These aren’t just numbers. They represent real families, real caregivers, and real struggles.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds life-saving research, patient support, and caregiver resources. They fight for:

✅ Better treatments

✅ Easier access to care

✅ A future without cancer

How You Can Help

✔️ DONATE – Every dollar fuels life-saving research.

✔️ Share this post – Awareness is just as important as funding.

✔️ Honor a caregiver in your life – Show them they’re seen and appreciated.

Some Trusted Resources for Cancer Caregiving & Support ⬇️

For those facing a cancer diagnosis—whether as a patient or caregiver—these resources provide crucial information and assistance:

🔗 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Donate

🔗 The Caregiver’s Guide to Blood Cancer

🔗 Light the Night Walk – Join or Donate

🔗 How to Support a Cancer Caregiver

🔗 Allyson Spring – More Ways to Help

Final Thoughts: Caregivers Deserve Recognition Too

If you’ve been a caregiver, I see you. Your work is invisible but invaluable. If you’ve lost someone, you know the ache in your heart and mind that never quite fades. And if you’re in the fight right now, I stand with you.

This week, I’m fundraising for:

💙 My Mom’s Renay & Paula and My Dad Ken

💙 Caregivers everywhere

💙 A future where no one has to fight alone

💡 Donate to Kenny’s Krusaders Today and make an impact.

Let’s honor the caregivers and fight for a cure—together. If you ever want connect I am here 🖤 Happy Valentines Day 💕

#LLS #BloodCancerAwareness #CaregiversMatter #Family #CancerResearch #Caregiving #FundraisingForACure #Valentines #CancerSupport #AllysonSpring #muliplemyeloma #VOY #2025