Oregon Cancer Foundation is thankful for the opportunity to partner with local businesses in ways that make the cancer journey easier for patients.
Recently, when Yogi Tea Company learned its ginger teas, which support digestion and calm nausea, were being served to patients at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, it donated a supply of tea through Oregon Cancer Foundation.
“The folks at Yogi were very gracious and very happy to make the donation, and we were thrilled to be able to make the connection and let patients know that there’s lots of folks in the community that are pulling for them,” says OCF executive director Amy Johnston.
A cup of comfort
Patients undergoing chemotherapy often spend hours in the infusion room at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute. And something as simple as a cup of tea can offer comfort.
“When patients are receiving their infusion, the room can feel cool to them,” says WVCI oncology nurse Rebecca Gores. “We do offer them heated blankets, but tea is another option to help them warm up.”
For patient Ruby Glazier, who has been receiving chemotherapy since November, a cup of Yogi tea eases the nausea she often feels after treatment.
“It’s just so helpful and it makes me not afraid to eat, because I don’t eat when I get that awful feeling,” she says.
Supporting the local community
Yogi Tea was first developed and introduced to the local community decades ago by Yogi Bhajan, a teacher of holistic living. Today, Yogi Tea is available in 60 varieties, many of which are made using five traditional Ayurvedic spices: cardamom seed, cinnamon bark, clove bud, ginger root and black pepper. And Yogi Bhajan’s philosophy of helping others remains one of Yogi Tea Company’s core values.
“What he believed is a business exists to serve. If the business is not doing something on purpose, if it’s not giving back, if it’s not making a difference, why should it exist?” says Sat Bir S. Khalsa, Yogi Tea Company’s Director of Global Community Relations.
“Our teas are meant to be able to help people, and in whatever form that is we’re happy to make sure that we can be a part of that experience for people.”
Oregon Cancer Foundation is entirely funded by donations from individuals and businesses, but it’s also the donation of products and services—things like tea and comfort measures—that go a long way toward helping patients. Our sincerest thanks to Yogi Tea Company for its generosity.
