For Nancy Kukulka, the difference between Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center and other cancer resource centers is the people.
“Everyone is so friendly and welcoming,” she says. “That’s how it should be.”
After receiving a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2021, Nancy went to a cancer resource center near her home. The services were helpful, she says, and she is very grateful to the staff there for referring her to a local oncologist. But she didn’t get a good feeling there, so she searched for another resource center — and found Waterford Place and a welcoming staff. Waterford Place provides services and support at no charge to anyone affected by cancer. It is supported entirely by philanthropic gifts.
Healing therapies
Waterford Place gave Nancy the opportunity to connect with others in similar situations and also the opportunity to try alternative healing therapies at no cost. She benefited from facials, acupuncture, massage and sound healing.
“When I step foot in Waterford Place, a sense of peace and calm comforts me,” she says. Now with no evidence of disease, she adds, “I definitely needed this when going through the rough times. Waterford was and still is a safe place for me, and that is a real gift in trying times.”
When she was first diagnosed, she was concerned about finances. “Having these opportunities at no cost relieves so much stress,” she says.
Since then, Nancy received an inheritance and she plans to leave it to Waterford Place as an estate gift when she passes.
Giving back
“I’ve been blessed and am able to pay it back and give it forward to others with cancer and that’s what I’d like to do,” she says. “I believe in giving back when possible.”
Nancy lost her mother, grandmother, partner and other loved ones to cancer, and that’s another reason she wants to help support Waterford Place.
“I see where my donation is going and I see all the good they do for people,” she says. “I am giving to Waterford Place because I want to help ensure that other individuals and families have the same opportunities that I have had, and that Waterford Place is here for a very long time.”
