News

Three strong survivors named Women of Hope

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 1, 2021

This year’s Women of Hope recipients are Lynn Easler, Virginia Spigener and Sandy Williams, the Pardee Hospital Foundation announced on Monday.

Every year, the Pardee Hospital Foundation honors women in the community who have experienced cancer or another serious health condition and has shared her story of courage and perseverance.
“Each of us has been impacted by the heart-wrenching effects of cancer or other serious disease, whether personally or through caring for a loved one," Myles Fish, executive director of the Pardee Hospital Foundation, said in a news release. "We all know that when we must walk that difficult journey, we cling to hope. That is why each year we recognize Women of Hope in our local community, courageous women who have battled devastating diseases and have prevailed.”
Each recipient shared her story of surviving cancer in hopes to encourage others who face a similar hardship. Reflecting on her battle with breast cancer, Lynn Easler said: “Cancer changed my body. It doesn’t have to change the person God created me to be.”
Sandy Williams said her faith, family and friends kept her on a positive track as she underwent treatment, and she now lives with a renewed outlook. “To embrace life and to encourage others are my goals," she said. "To laugh often is medicine for the soul."
“My story," Virginia Spigener said, "is one of finding peace, hope, and courage as God worked through many people. Some I knew well and called friends and family, some I barely knew. The most wonderful gifts were others I knew not at all who gave so much of their time and kindness for my recovery.”
The Woman of Hope award is one component of Women Helping Women, a community-led program providing supplementary support for women who need financial assistance for medically necessary care, who would have no other means to cover the cost of their healthcare.

Since its inception in 1998, Women Helping Women has raised more than $2 million for underserved women in WNC, providing financial assistance for critical healthcare such as diagnostic mammograms, office visits, MRIs, CT scans, surgery, anesthesia, x-rays, infusions, and more. Also, the program provides much-needed emotional support for women battling a serious health condition.
“Our Women of Hope recipients and their families deeply understand the importance of support when navigating a health crisis,” Fish said. “It is a privilege to share their powerful stories to encourage others and to raise awareness about this local program so more women in our community can access the healthcare they desperately need.”