Founder/CEO
“After receiving the cancer diagnoses of both my husband (Leukemia) and then 16-year-old son (Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) six months apart, I became acutely aware of the mind-numbing pain that happens when a life-threatening health crisis knocks at your door. However, I also experienced the awe-inspiring help of family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers and the community at large. It was nothing short of miraculous! Even so, organizing those who came alongside me to help including church, school, family, friends and coworkers was a monumental task! To make matters worse, my son was in one hospital, City of Hope, and my husband was being treated at UCLA. Schedules did not always match up. Add to that the dietary restrictions of my son who is a Celiac and during treatment could not eat fresh fruits or vegetables, it is not a pretty picture for anyone attempting to help.
“I thought I had all the details of my family’s health crises covered, only to find out that I did not… There were so many services I could have availed myself of but I was too overwhelmed to even look. I found these services later when I could no longer access them. I also felt, with all the help offered, I was good to go! I did not realize the effort it took to coordinate that help, even when you have friends and family offering to do this! What I found was, six months into the journey, many people had already gone on with their own lives and assumed I had it all under control. It was then that I was most exhausted and needed the help, which had now dwindled to a small group that I did not feel comfortable always calling upon…
“I conceived of Here to Serve to bring together, not only the community of volunteers who wish to help, but also the many support services that often go untapped because you either are not aware of them or do not have the energy to seek them out. Our Family Care Coordinators and website services help mobilize, inspire, encourage, intercede, navigate, collaborate, facilitate and bring together communities of people and service organizations to assist caregivers and their loved ones during times of medical crisis throughout the ENTIRE journey, not just early on.
“Here to Serve is dedicated to my husband Silvio Quintas, my son Bryan Quintas, founding board member Dr. Philip Carlson, and Paul Alindog-Bouvier who exhibited unimaginable courage, faith, and dignity in their life-and-death cancer battles. Because of these valiant warriors, Here to Serve strives to make a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and their caregivers in medical crisis.”