About Lee's Friends

          To offer person-to-person help and needed emotional and
     practical support to cancer patients and their families who are
     facing the crisis of diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

          LEE'S FRIENDS is an area-wide support program for cancer
     patients and their families.  It was named after Lee Harkins who
     died of Hodgkins Disease at the age of 16 on April 30, 1978.  Lee
     had a vision to help others who might not be as fortunate as
     herself.  From her diagnosis in January 1977 until her death,
     Lee's admirable manner of dealing with her cancer included
     remarkable courage, humor and determination.  Death was not an
     issue - living was.  Even as she battled her disease, other
     patients were continually on her mind.
          In February 1978, Lee, her parents and their nine friends
     established a non-profit program of outreach and service, the
     Lee Harkins Endowment.  Lee was involved in the early
     planning of the Fund, which transformed one remarkable young
     girl's vision into the permanent program of outreach and support
     we celebrate today.  Lee actually saw all of the original
     brochures.  After Lee died, the Endowment Committee asked Lee's
     mom, Emily, to plan and then coordinate an outreach program that
     would carry out the mission of the endowment.
          Driven by passion and grief - and with the help of wonderful
     lay and professional friends - the congregation of Christ and St.
     Luke's Church, LEE'S FRIENDS/Oncology Patients was created.  In
     March 1979, LEE'S FRIENDS opened its doors in the Guild House,
     provided by Christ and St. Luke's Church.  Since then over 800
     people have been trained in the accredited LEE'S FRIENDS Training
     Course.  LEE'S FRIENDS has helped thousands of people with cancer
     - of all ages and stages - for FREE!  Patients and families have
     given a 99% approval rating for the services offered.  The
     original mission and focus on cancer patients has not changed
     over the years.  The emphasis is on quality over quantity.  LEE'S
     FRIENDS works cooperatively with many agencies, doctor offices,
     hospitals, home health agencies, hospices, churches and
     synagogues.