When Douglas Clark was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, it felt like the ground disappeared beneath him. “It was as if I was melting into my seat,” he recalls. On the drive home, his mind was still trying to catch up—processing the weight of the diagnosis, the fear of the unknown. How do I tell my family? Am I going to die?

 

The most difficult part wasn’t just the diagnosis—it was navigating the maze of treatment options, each with its own risks, uncertainties, and lifelong side effects. Beyond the physical toll, the emotional burden of fearing a recurrence became a quiet companion he carried with him daily.

In 2024, Douglas Clark discovered a lifeline—Cancer Lifeline. Introduced by a fellow survivor, he began attending classes like Writing for the Moment and other supportive programs. These classes didn’t just offer information, they offered something deeper: connection, fellowship, and healing. Cancer Lifeline gave him a place where he felt understood.

“It is a place where shared experiences created a community of compassion,” Douglas Clark says. Being surrounded by other cancer survivors gave me strength, acceptance, and hope. The support I found here has been life-changing.”

If he could give advice to newly diagnosed cancer patients, he’d say,

“You don’t have to face your cancer journey alone. Cancer Lifeline is here for you—from the beginning, through the most difficult parts, and long after treatment ends. This is a place where healing truly begins.”

 

A Poem by Douglas Clark: Faces of Cancer Lifeline

Some faces fought a strong fight

Some faces live on in our memories & thoughts

Some faces are before us

Some faces are at peace

Some faces are struggling

Some faces have a moment to rest

But one place you can always face during these times is Cancer Lifeline