Jennifer McCoy – Raising Hope for Cancer Patients and their Families

Not many brides would turn her wedding into a charity fundraiser, but that’s exactly what lawyer Jennifer McCoy did!  It was just one of ways in which she’s been waging war against cancer, a disease which claimed the lives of almost 570,000 Americans in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society.

 

Jennifer’s father was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that metastasized to the nerves in his face.  For ten years, he and his family battled the disease together with surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy.   The long struggle against this illness was hard for Mr. McCoy and his family, but after his death in 2009, his daughter decided to fight on in her own way. 

Says Jennifer,

“Putting all my belief in the Biblical concept that all things work together for good, I decided I had to make something good come out of the tragedy.   Having been at my dad’s side throughout his illness, I knew how much a kind word, smiling face, and thoughtful heart mean to cancer patients and caregivers, so I started volunteering at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge® in Nashville, TN.  I work as a front desk volunteer where I check guests in and out, give tours, answer phones, and handle various administrative tasks.  Sometimes I serve dinner to the guests. I also serve on the Hope Lodge Advisory Board as the Guest Cultivation Chairperson. 

  

Each Hope Lodge offers cancer patients and their caregivers a free, temporary place to stay when their best hope for effective treatment may be in another city. Not having to worry about where to stay or how to pay for lodging allows guests to focus on getting well.  The Hope Lodge provides a nurturing, home-like environment and offers a variety of resources and information about cancer and how best to fight the disease.

In addition to volunteering at the Nashville Hope Lodge, Jennifer also works hard to raise money for cancer research and programs support.  Over the course of the last year or so, she’s raised a little over $80,000 for the cause.  Sometimes, her fundraising methods are a bit unconventional!  The picture of her below is from the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk in 2009:

 

Currently, she is raising money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  

What is Relay For Life?

This life-changing event gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Everyone’s reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You will meet people in the community who are as passionate as you about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime. You can thank all the people who have done so much to support you through your personal cancer experience. And you can gather together with friends, family, and colleagues to laugh, cry, and create lasting memories.

Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience.

 To learn more or help this lawyer’s cause,  click here.

 Thanks for your support!

 Jennifer McCoy is a debt collections and employment attorney who devotes her time and treasure to the fight against cancer.  Her firm, The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy, P.C.  has offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Evansville, Indiana.

 The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy, P.C.

Nashville:      533 Church Street, # 126, Nashville, TN 37219 |  615.500.8577 (office) |   866.381.5292 (fax)    

Evansville:   5444 E. Indiana Street, #152, Evansville, IN 47715 | 812.490.6708 (office) | 866.381.5292 (fax)

Welcome to Lawyers With Causes!

This blog is a dedicated space to recognize lawyers involved in causes and charitable activities that elevate and benefit our communities.  Some of these lawyers are altruists who do good for the sake of doing good.  Some of these altruists also wear the hat of a social entrepreneur, who do good in creative ways that lead to social and financial benefits for those involved.

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