Nonprofit helping cancer patients in the Lansing-area undergoing treatment

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - After losing her mom to cancer, Elizabeth Read started a nonprofit to help cancer patients.

It’s been around for two years and has already helped many patients in the Lansing area.

T.W.I.G.S. is short for “To Work in Grateful Service.” It’s a program to help cancer patients complete daily tasks, which can become difficult when undergoing treatment.

“I have stage four lung cancer complicated by congestive heart failure, so it’s very difficult for me to get things done around the house,” said David Shadduck.

This isn’t Shadduck’s first time battling cancer. He was in remission and was recently diagnosed again.

“I just don’t have energy,” said Shadduck.

Shadduck doesn’t have the energy to complete daily tasks like cleaning. That’s where the nonprofit T.W.I.G.S. come in to help. Volunteers clean, give patients rides to appointments, help them run errands, and even lend a hand in the yard.

“Our main mission is to give time back to these people so they can concentrate on healing and spending time with the people that they love,” said Read.

Elizabeth Read started T.W.I.G.S. in honor of her mom—who died five years ago from pancreatic cancer.

“My mom was terminal from the get-go, so every moment really counted that we had with her,” said Read.

Read says when her mom passed, she knew it was her mission to help others, and patients like Shadduck appreciate the extra support.

“Going through what I’m going through right now, it’s amazing the people that want to help you,” said Shadduck. “This isn’t something that anybody wants to have to face, and nobody should face it alone,” said Read.

T.W.I.G.S. has helped 22 people, and they would love to see that number grow.

The organization is always looking for more volunteers to help patients like Shadduck.

Volunteers are required to pass a background check and wear N-95 masks when working to protect their patients’ health.

A Lansing man has been fighting against cancer for over 20 years.

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