Rose Egge was 25 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. Egge is a journalist (formerly with the Herald now with KOMO) and chose to blog about her treatment to document it and assist others.

"I was so lucky in my circumstance because I had a job I got to keep and health insurance. I had lived with my boyfriend who I had been with for years so I had a supportive care giver and I lived six blocks from my parents. I had the perfect nest of support around me, but it was still the hardest thing I've been through in my life," Egge said.

While she had some advantages she was also acutely aware that many others, especially young adults, do not have the kind of support and care that have helped her. Egge also recognized that many cancer support organizations are aimed at women, or children, but for people in their 20's or 30's there were unique challenges. That led her to create a foundation that is purposely aimed at helping people diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 to 39.

Thrive through Cancer (TTC) held their first official meeting on Saturday, Feb. 4 with some cancer patients and supporters to begin the process of really organizing the foundation and give it more energy. Those in the meeting briefly told stories about how cancer had touched their lives and why they felt compelled to volunteer to help TTC.

TTC is modeled after the well known Northwest Hope and Healing (NHH) an organization that distributes "Healing Baskets" to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, plus provides non-medical financial assistance and other care.

Shari Sewell, Executive Director of NHH, said, "Northwest Hope and Healing is honored to have Thrive Through Cancer model their program after ours. Part of the excitement is Rose's excitement about it. I think it's really important in getting an organization off the ground, to have that passion, the passion to give back."

"I have a silly example," said Egge," I kind of compare having cancer to crowd surfing. When I was younger I went to concerts a lot but I never crowd surfed, where you jump off the stage and land on the crowd because I wasn't that trusting of people and I was scared. But once I was diagnosed I was forced to depend on my medical team and my parents and my boyfriend. You are forced to rely on other people and if they don't hold you up, you're going to hit the ground." Today Egge is in remission but still in maintenance therapy with at least two more years. "I feel amazing and better and better every day."

Thrive Through Cancer is working in partnership with Swedish Medical Center Foundation providing newly diagnosed cancer patients with “Hope Totes,” canvas bags filled with comforting and encouraging items to bring them joy, hope and, above all, let them know they are not alone. That effort plus the pursuit of partnerships, other funding, and brainstorming other ways to help the new foundation begin to grow.

For now, TTC is processing funding through the SMC Foundation to utilize their tax exempt status until TTC can become a standalone 501 c3 organization.

Their initial goal is to raise $5000 to fund the creation of 200 Hope Totes in 2012.

If you'd like to learn more about Thrive Through Cancer or to donate and give this new foundation a lift to get them started visit their website for that purpose
http://www.crowdrise.com/thrivethroughcancer/fundraiser/roseegge

You can find them on Facebook too.

TTC is having a wine tasting at Bin 41 on April 6, 6-730 pm with WS winemaker Darby English.

Anyone interested in being involved should email Rose Egge at thrivingwithcancer@gmail.com