August 2021 Newsletter

#CommunityIsHealing

Dear Friends,

   While we enjoyed a couple of "in person" events earlier this summer, sadly we've had to make the choice to move our Courage Club programming back to virtual for the time being due to the rise in Covid19 cases, hospitalizations, and the extremely contagious nature of the Delta Variant. This is very disappointing for our organization and those we serve. The Boon Project began because we saw a need for young adults who have faced cancer to gather together in community. Isolation and depression are the top psychosocial side effects of a cancer diagnosis for young adults- and that has been made worse by facing the added stress of a global pandemic. Our "Boonies" need to be together, but it needs to be safe. Our organization's motto is "Community is Healing" and that has never been more true than it is now. Our community has the power to work together to help bring Covid disease spread under control, make group gatherings safe again, and allow our vulnerable population the opportunity to meet together in person to continue the hard work of healing after cancer.

  I encourage you to follow all health recommendations of the doctors, hospitals, and researchers who have studied this disease and the ways we can reduce it. While I understand some people are not candidates for the vaccine, I also know that hesitancy for the vaccine is much more wide spread than just not being able to medically take it. I've asked Dr. Lara Lambert to help address some of the most common worries tied to taking the vaccine. I encourage you to read, speak with your doctor, or contact us to get in touch with Dr. Lambert who is willing to speak with you about your questions. If the vaccine isn't an option for you due to medical history, please follow other safety protocols such as masking and distancing. Do it for yourself. Do it for those who can't be vaccinated (including young children...like young children of our Boonies). Do it for your community. 

   Community is Healing.

                                                                                                  -Katherine Brown
                                                                                                    Founder & Director                                        

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy

 Lara Lambert is 42 year old physician at the Veterans Hospital in Charleston SC who specializes in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine, and is a Stage 3c Colorectal patient. She is happy to speak with anyone who has vaccination questions or wants to know more.

 

If you haven’t been vaccinated for COVID-19, what are you waiting for? 

 

It is safe:

Since December 2020 more than 156 million Americans are fully vacccinated against COVID-19.  That is more than the total number of people who have been infected with the virus (approximately 112 million).  Given the number of vaccines administered, common, uncommon and rare side effects would have been detected by now.  Most side effects, if any, are seen within minutes to hours (24 hours) and are usually mild and go away on their own.  Serious side effects are very very very rare and are closely monitored by health regulatory agencies around the world.  AND, no non-live vaccine has EVER been shown to have bad side effects YEARS later.

 

It is effective:

Amongst the 156 million Americans fully vaccinated, only 153,000 symptomatic breakthrough cases have occurred as of last week.  This represents approximately 0.098% of those fully vaccinated.

 

It is highly protective.

There is an 8 fold reduction in disease, and a 25 fold reduction in hospitalizations and deaths in patients that have been vaccinated.  And even if you do get COVID-19 after being vaccinated (nothing is perfect), symptoms are much milder than if you were not vaccinated.

 

 

Additionally, even if you are vaccinated, I would encouage all to continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors where you cannot socially distance.  Given the surge in COVID-19 in all areas of South Carolina (we are back to pre-vaccine COVID-19 daily numbers), masking is safe, simple and effective in preventing the spread of infection

COURAGE CLUB

Our August event, originally scheduled to be in person, will take place virtually. Thank you to Nailed It DIY Summerville for helping to make this possible! Those who have RSVPd to the event need to arrange kit pick up Thursday or Friday afternoon. We'll meet in Zoom on Saturday to make our projects. See details in Facebook event or contact Katherine.

Fitness Force!

After a couple of group runs/walks, we're excited to gather later this month for an outdoor, socially distant, goat yoga workout. Survivors and Supporters are asked to set up 6 feet apart during the yoga lesson, and wear masks (regardless of vaccination status) for before and after the workout. Details are in our Facebook page. If you'd like to get involved in Fitness Force as a cancer survivor or supporter, please email Katherine@boonproject.org. 

2021 Annual Sponsors!

Annual sponsors help fund our year round programs. If you or your business is interested in partnering with us to provide services to young adults facing cancer in the Charleston area and beyond, please click the link below for more information. 

Thank you to Law Office of Jennifer Williams and Palmetto Family Dentistry for your 2021 Sponsorship!

 
Sponsor Info

Financial Assistance Grants

We're grateful to continue to be able to provide young adults fighting cancer with the opportunity for financial assistance. Applications are available on our website or by clicking here. Thank you to our generous donors who have allowed us to expand our programs to better serve this community, and to our partner doctors who have helped make their patients aware of this resource.

Thank you to our 2021 Annual Sponsors!

843.754.1879

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