In October, The Insurance Store participated in our “Friday, We Wear Pink Events” to support the ongoing effort of those seeking help at Michelle’s Place. As a company, we donated $5 to the foundation for each staff member who participated by wearing pink. Bringing awareness to those struggling with diseases such as breast cancer is a small act of service we could provide.
Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center was created as a dying wish of Michelle Watson. Michelle was a 26-year-old victim of breast cancer. As a Temecula resident, Michelle was frustrated with the lack of local resources available to her while facing the challenges of cancer treatment.
During her battle, Michelle felt she would have liked a place she could receive some emotional comfort, a listening ear, and an opportunity to talk with someone who was surviving breast cancer and learning to cope with the disease. Michelle wanted a place that could provide the latest information regarding treatment options, coping strategies, up-to-date research, and clinical developments so as to help individuals and their family in planning treatment options.
Sadly, Michelle succumbed to her disease on July 23, 2000. In the wake of Michelle’s passing came a mission of service to make it easier for others touched by this unrelenting disease. Family, friends, and the community have come together and created a mission to serve the local community. Her parents wish her treatment would have started sooner, but bitter disappointment was replaced with positive action. Since Michelle needed a resource center where she could go for help in coping with her challenges, her parents, family, and friends started one in her memory so others will have an opportunity to get the help they need—it is called Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center.
Michelle always shared her knowledge and experience of battling cancer in a positive, uplifting way. Although her journey on earth was cut short at the age of 26, her vision of helping others with cancer has been the inspiration to open Michelle’s Place and assist those walking a similar path.
Today, Michelle’s Place provides over 10,000 free services a year to individuals and families impacted by all types of cancers. To continue to provide these free programs and services to clients, they rely on the ongoing support of donors, grantors, and fundraising efforts. Donations allow Michelle’s Place to continue to provide the necessary support to individuals and their families impacted by cancer throughout our community.
