1970-1979
1973
Cancer Lifeline is founded by breast cancer survivor Gloria Gutkowski to ensure that cancer patients could access emotional support 24/7.
1974
Cancer Lifeline begins as Telephone Lifeline.
1975
Cancer Lifeline affiliates with Family & Child Services and receives United Way funding.
1980-1989
1986-87
The 24-hour telephone Lifeline expands statewide.
1988
Family Support Program launched.
1990-1999
1992
Cancer Lifeline separates from Family Services and becomes an independent agency.
1994
Stress Management workshops begin.
1998
Healing Arts program established.
1999
Cancer Lifeline moves into Dorothy S. O’Brien Center.
2000-2009
2000
Rooftop Healing Gardens opens.
2004
Updated cookbook “What to Eat Now” is published.
2005
Executive Director Barbara Frederick retires after 22 years at Cancer Lifeline.
2006
Began partnership with Valley Medical Center and programming with EvergreenHealth.
2010-2019
2015
Joseph Yurgevich is hired as new Executive Director.
2017
Began partnership with Overlake Hospital.
2018
Began partnership with Seattle Proton Therapy Center.
2019
Began partnership with Virginia Mason Medical Center at Seattle and Federal Way locations.
2019
Began partnership with Highline Medical Center, now St. Anne Hospital.
2020-2023
2021
Cancer Lifeline moved its classes online so that everyone who wanted to attend, but didn’t want exposure to coronavirus, was able to do so.
2022
Starting in January of 2022, Cancer Lifeline began offering up to 12 free mental health counseling sessions for cancer patients with limited financial means or inadequate insurance coverage.