There are many ways to give back to CSCNT, and Kitty Maxey is a great example of this service.
Since 2009, Kitty and her husband Dee have contributed monetary gifts to CSCNT annually around Christmas in memory of their mothers, who both died of cancer. Now that she’s semi-retired, Kitty wanted to do more. Starting in October 2024, she began volunteering every other Tuesday at the Dallas Clubhouse front desk. Kitty helps connect those who walk through the red door with resources.
“The important thing is to have someone to welcome them and provide answers, as it may not be their best day,” Kitty says. “They may need to have somewhere to read while their parent is getting treatment or a quiet place for a coffee and snack.”
As a family member of someone who had cancer, Kitty “lived that life” and understands the financial and emotional struggles people in these circumstances face. With their mothers receiving cancer treatments in the 1990s, Kitty and Dee didn’t have anyone recommending mental health and social support services. She knows how useful it would have been to them during these difficult times.
“The resources (at CSCNT) are very beneficial,” Kitty says. “Some might say, ‘well just practice self-care,’ but that’s not how it works when you’re in the middle of it. You need a community of support.”