Helen's Room Endorsements
Read notes from the community and past participants.
Dear Monica,
Daughter of a patient
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for Helen’s Room. I took my mother in law to Helen’s room yesterday and I would like to share what a special experience it was. I was blown away with the kindness that was showered on us. You were able to make something that could have been very stressful, and depressing into such a positive experience. Your generosity was overwhelming. I had expected that my mother in law would be able to get one item, which in my opinion would have still been very generous. Thanks so much for providing her with so many items. You even included a wig stand and brush. We both could not believe how many items were gifted. She was so happy with all her new head coverings. After dinner last night, she did an “unboxing” where she took each item out one at a time, to show her husband, son and grandson all the new beautiful items. I also wanted to share how wonderful Sofia was to us. She was so kind, gentle, helpful and patient with us, as we spent a while agonizing over which beautiful head covering to choose. She is very special and very good at what she does. I was happy to learn that she will be going into the field of social work, so that she can continue to use her skills in a people related field. I was so in awe with the whole experience. Kindness is my most important value and to see kindness in action makes my heart happy.
Thank you (and Sofia too) for providing my mother in law and I with such a special afternoon during this very stressful and uncertain journey.
I have just sent a donation. I would love as many women going through cancer to benefit from your unique services. Best of luck to you and your organization. Don’t hesitate to let me know if I can help in any way.
Much love and gratitude.
As a Medical Oncologist practicing in the Inglewood community for 29 years, I can clearly say that Helen’s Room has had a marked impact on the lives of many patients and their families. This entity is much more than an Image Center providing wigs, prostheses, hats, turbans, and mastectomy bras. It is an environment of warmth, acceptance, comfort and education, professionally and humanistically sculpted by Mrs. Monica Kahn and her staff. This unique center is totally focused on the emotional, psychosocial, and potentially isolating sides of cancer’s impact on human lives.
Its origin is in love, giving, and supporting, all in an environment of acceptance, clear communication, and respect for all. Our world should be like Helen’s Room, and would be a much better place for that resemblance. The human resources unique to Helen’s Room cannot be raided, bought, or altered. A stronger and broader financial base will perpetuate this Center of Excellence well into the future, allowing it to serve future patients and their families in dealing with the many and severe consequences of cancer.
Allan A. Orenstein, M.D., California Hematology Oncology,Inc.
On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I am writing in support of Helen’s Room, a positive appearance and resource center for underserved cancer patients.
What is special about this program is not only that it serves an underserved population, but the manner in which the services are delivered. Through the unique kindness, warmth, and compassion of volunteers, each woman is made to feel special. Volunteers spend as much time as needed to make certain that patients leave Helen’s Room elated with the attention that they need.
Monica Kahn, the Founder, received the Lane Adams Quality of Life Award from the American Cancer Society in 2006 for her outstanding commitment and service to cancer patients in the community.
Gayle Gilbert-Hamerling, Community Director American Cancer Society Los Angeles Coastal Cities Unit
