Mission Statement CFFL is a not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for persons living with cancer by providing physical conditioning and psychological support programs in the home, hospital, and support centers.

About Cancer Foundation For Life

Founded in 2001 by a retired oncologist, the Cancer Foundation For Life (CFFL) provides a unique, individualized, physical conditioning and psychological support program that addresses the needs of cancer patients debilitated from the diagnosis and treatment of their disease. Individuals receiving treatment, in remission, or relapse following treatment, also benefit from the program. A doctor's referral is all we require for participation in the program. It is preferred that the patient's life expectancy is six months or longer. CFFL services are without charge. All community hospitals and oncologists endorse the CFFL program, but we are affiliated with none. This ensures program availability based on need, regardless of health care provider, ethnicity, or financial resources.

The program is implemented in the home (treadmill provided for 2 months as appropriate), hospital, and affiliated community centers (First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, City of Tyler Glass Center, and Lon Morris College).

The duration of patient participation is unlimited. CFFL provides treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, recumbent cycles, and pedometers for aerobic conditioning. Swiss ball exercises, Pilate's classes, and dumbbells are utilized for "core" and upper body strengthening. A daily exercise log creates accountability, encouraging participation. Group conditioning promotes an atmosphere of collegiality, support, and inspiration.

CFFL collaborates with the University of Texas at Tyler's College of Nursing and Health Sciences for program research, evaluation, and determination of patient outcomes. Kinesiology interns obtain required clinical hours by volunteering in the CFFL program.

Traditional cancer management provides diagnosis, treatment, palliative, and end of life care. There are no routine programs to provide rehabilitation for cancer patents. The CFFL provides cancer victims the opportunity to embrace living with hope, purpose, and meaning, rather than enduring survival

Perhaps philosopher Horace Kalen expressed our mission best.

"There are persons who shape their lives by the fear of death and persons who shape their lives by the joy of living. The former live dying and latter die living. I know fate may stop me tomorrow but death is an irrelevant contingency. Whenever it comes I intend to die living."