Julie Henderson had always been interested in Buddhism, and when she visited
the Middle Land Chan Monastery in Pomona in 2013, she realized it was
where she belonged. Through the practice of Buddhism – which she
describes as a lifestyle rather than a religion – Julie, 68, learned
to think positively, live in the moment and let go of hindrances. It’s
not a coincidence, she said, that she found Buddhism just a month before
she was diagnosed with inoperable stage IV colon cancer and given two
years to live.
Last spring the monastery, which Julie visits nearly ever day, invited
her to participate in its annual spiritual retreat in Taiwan. Excited,
Julie shared the news with her Doctor Swarna Chanduri, medical oncologist
on staff at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC).
“She was really looking forward to it,” Dr. Chanduri said.
But a month later the trip was off; Julie simply couldn’t afford
the airfare, the only expense the monastery didn’t cover. “For
the lack of only $1,000, she was going to miss out on this deeply important
experience.”
Dr. Chanduri looked into organizations like the Make a Wish Foundation,
but discovered they were all for children. There was nothing comparable
for adults. She mentioned her frustration to Beth Brooks, a well-known
community fundraiser and cancer survivor who is also a patient of Dr. Chanduri.
“It touched my heart,” Beth said. “I didn’t know
anything about Julie except that she wanted to go on this trip. I came
home and shared the story with my daughter, Mary.”
The next day, they had a plan. For two days in June, O’Donovan’s
Pub in Pomona agreed to donate 20 percent of its proceeds to PVHMC Foundation,
and through the Claremont Club’s Art of Giving program, the funds
would pay for Julie’s plane ticket. Beth and her daughter called
the fundraiser “A Woman’s Journey to Find Peace in the Chaos
of Cancer.”
Julie flew to Taiwan with 30 others from her monastery in August. “It
was the most positive thing I’ve ever experienced,” she said
of the 12-day pilgrimage. “When I was in Taiwan, I felt so strong
and healthy. I felt so peaceful and so good.”
What’s more, Julie said when she came back her tumors had shrunk
and surgery might be possible. “I want others to know what I now
know; that your mind is powerful. Never give up. There’s always
hope.”
Beth said that her act of making a difference for Julie was simply giving
back. “Pomona Valley Hospital saved my life once, and I owe the
Hospital a huge debt. I know how miserable cancer is. I just felt that
if it was important enough for Dr. Chanduri to lay on my heart, then I
should do something about it.”