Liesl Meyers traveled hundreds of miles from Albuquerque, N.M., to City of Hope for breast cancer treatment — and from her first step onto the Duarte, Calif., campus, she instantly felt at home.
“One thing that sticks in my mind is how gorgeous the campus was. I just breathed a sigh of relief,” said Meyers, a mother of two. “It was like, ‘OK. I’m in a place that’s going to take care of me.’”
 Liesl Meyers, pictured with her husband, Chuck, beat breast cancer with help from City of Hope. (Photo courtesy of Liesl Meyers) |
Meyers is one of many patients from around the country who journey far from home for treatment from City of Hope’s health-care team. In fact, 10 percent of City of Hope’s patients come from outside Southern California. For some, like Meyers, the transforming experience inspires them to give back.
After receiving her diagnosis in September 2008, Meyers first sought treatment nearby in New Mexico. But she felt lost in her local health-care system and reached out for a more responsive team of caregivers.
Her health insurance provider referred her to its cancer resource services for more information. Meyers spoke on the phone with an oncology nurse there who recommended that she start fresh at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. The nurse had particular praise for City of Hope.
“She had four or five patients from New Mexico who had gone to City of Hope for breast cancer and in every single follow-up, the patients spoke about how caring the staff was and what a wonderful group of volunteers there are out there,” said Meyers, an entrepreneur who sells Native American art.
That night, Meyers visited City of Hope’s Web site and signed up to become a patient.
Said Meyers: “The site was pleasant to look at and easy to navigate, and that’s the most important thing. It was very easy to seek treatment.”
Upon Meyers’ arrival at City of Hope, a patient navigator from the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center met her at the front doors of the Main Medical Building with a packet of information.
“Everything that I would need was all in one bag,” Meyers said.
At City of Hope, she consulted with several physicians and underwent surgery to remove her cancer. The individual attention made a strong impression.
“I was just amazed at the caring of the doctors. They spend as much time as they need to with each patient,” she said. “Every doctor and staff member that I’ve interacted with has been just fantastic.”
Today, she remains free of cancer. Pleased with the care she received, she and her husband, Chuck, recently donated more than $5,000 to support the Women’s Cancers Program.
“I felt like I got through a challenging experience because of City of Hope, so I’m happy to do anything I can for the next person,” Meyers said.
Cancer spurred her to give to other important efforts, too.
While undergoing chemotherapy closer to home, Meyers participated in an exercise program for cancer patients that helped her regain her strength. She believes so strongly in the program that she started a scholarship fund to defray costs for those who cannot afford to the program.
Ultimately, Meyers said, she is grateful her “bumpy ride” took her to City of Hope.
“I feel like I found a wonderful place, a healing place and a caring place,” she said. “Thank goodness I found City of Hope.”
