Chemo Companions provides companionship through a network of trained volunteers who bring comfort, conversation, laughter and nurturing essentials to the chemo lounge. Our mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of those undergoing cancer treatments by offering friendship and emotional support. The guiding forces behind Chemo Companions are love, compassion, understanding, and hope.
After spending time in several chemo lounges, with the help of patient requests we curated, a bag full of thoughtful items to boost patient’s mood, provide support, and keep patients warm and cozy. Bags include a handknit hat, a blanket, lip balm, fuzzy socks, a handwritten inspirational card, tea bags, puzzle & coloring books…and other goodies meant to provide support like a friend who knows what you need before even asking. Some of these items are handmade by loving support groups or donated by companies who care.
We are thankful for those who have shown their support and contributed to our cause through donations.
Chemo Companions comes from the heart of its founder, Alyssa Dinowitz, and was born from her own family’s experiences with cancer. Alyssa’s mother, Marriann Gofonia, passed away in September 2009 after beating breast cancer four times. During her many rounds of chemotherapy treatments, the Gofonia girls (there are five, each as spunky and spirited as their mother) would all but turn the chemo lounge into a party hall with laughter, jokes, hugs, and love. Then, something interesting began to happen.
Founder Alyssa discusses her experiences visiting chemo with her family and how an uplifting attitude and faith are profoundly powerful when supporting family going through chemo.
Chemo Companions were featured in a blog for Team Duke, a fundraising program for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. It talks about Chemo Companions and Alyssa Dinowitz, founder of Chemo Companions.