2021-Annual-Report-FINAL-Single-Pages - Flipbook - Page 51
“Mostly that was just because I didn’t
want to tell other people that I needed
the services myself … for being a patient.
I wasn’t super used to saying out loud
that I needed it as a person with cancer
myself but after the first meeting there, I
just knew I needed to connect with those
people and form meaningful connections
with them,” she says. “Gilda’s is beautiful
in a lot of ways because if you’re a
caregiver, a friend, an acquaintance if
you’re affected by cancer in some way
shape or form you can go to Gilda’s.”
Now, a senior lecturer in Vanderbilt’s
Physics and Astronomy department,
Savanna never misses a meeting with her
group. When COVID hit and they moved
their meetings to virtual, that support was
more important than ever.
“They are the people who if something
goes sideways, if an appointment is not
enjoyable—if you just need someone to
commiserate with—they are amazing and
always there. I can’t say enough good
things about what that does for my dayto-day life.”
She goes to a general cancer support
group every Monday and even met
someone else—for the first time in her
life—who is also fighting thyroid cancer.
“It’s not a very normal life
in a lot of ways,” she says.
“But it’s not one that I would
necessarily change either.”
Savanna felt so connected to the
organization, she wanted to give back
even more and started teaching yoga and
meditation twice a week.
“If I’m having a crap day and want
someone else on the other end of the
phone who understands, I know I can text
any of these people in group—and we’re
that close—that a conversation transpires
that all the sudden makes everything
okay. These folks have grown to be a
major part of my life because I let them
into my world. They celebrated big time
with me when I graduated.”
Read more stories at
unitedwaygreaternashville.org/
united-we-win.
2 0 2 0 A N N U A L R E P O RT
PA G E 4 9
