'All ages, all stages': Milwaukee cancer support nonprofit receives $30K grant, opens new space in Waukesha Co.

 

DELAFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Cancer fighters in southeastern Wisconsin now have a 2,700 square-foot home in Waukesha County, where the walls are made of love, support and resilience.

Tricia's Troops Cancer Connection started in 2011 when their namesake, Tricia Wright, was diagnosed with the disease in her 30s. 

“Tricia was absolute vibrancy and warmth and love," her sister Candice Strong told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White.

She ultimately died a year later, and that's when Strong took over operations to become the nonprofit's executive director. 

When their mother also passed away from cancer, Strong said she knew she needed to continue the family's legacy.

“Every moment of every day I wake up here with just a fire in my belly and a stirring in my spirit to continue what she started," Strong said. 

Recently, the organization was awarded $30,000 in a grant thanks to a partnership between Kohl's Healthy Families and the American Cancer Society.

“Tricia’s Troops serves all cancers, all ages, all stages," Strong said. “I feel like we’ve taken the organization from reactive, where we’re reacting to the needs of patients, to proactive.”

They used that grant money for a new space in Delafield to create a center where cancer survivors could come together and be supported by those in similar journeys.

Inside, rooms are dedicated to physical and mental exercise, nutritious eating and even one for wigs for those experiencing medical hair loss.

“So much feels out of control and with this program we get to focus on the things that we can control," Strong said. 

The walls are even decorated with photos of survivors, taken by a survivor herself.

“The artist photographed each one of them just to show them the strength and the beauty that they possess," Strong said. “It is so vital to have people come here, see other women feeling strong and beautiful and just be constantly reminded of what we’re all capable of.”

Colette Reichert, a cancer exercise specialist with the organization, said doing exercise while in treatment can help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue.

“It could be just marching in place, or it can be a more vigorous march with higher knees," Reichert said. “Just trying to bring them a little positivity with what they’re going through makes me incredibly thankful for what I’m able to do.”

Kathleen Parnau, a wig consultant of over a decade, said having a quiet and enclosed space to try on wigs can be greatly beneficial.

“It’s such an emotional journey too when they lose their hair, it’s something that it’s nice to have support for," Parnau said. "They can go out and about and be free of the thought that everyone is aware that they’re going through cancer journey.”

Currently, the organization serves about 500 people every year with about 4,500 total since it began.

The nonprofit relies on donations and help from the community to continue running. 

If you want to get involved or see a list of needed items, click here. 

“This allowed us to dream in a way that I’d never had before," Strong said. "It just settles in me that this is what we’re supposed to be doing.”