Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Perzan.
Michelle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In Feb 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the same time, my mom was in hospice in Canada with cancer, I had already lost my dad to cancer, my oldest brother, my Baba and aunts to cancer. We had just moved to Katy in Dec 2013 so I did not know a lot of people and to say I was scared and my life was turned upside down was an understatement. After some time of “why me”, crying out and praying I knew I had to lean on my faith to get through this battle ahead of me. I ended up having a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction and I quickly learned that cancer doesn’t end after the surgery – it was the beginning. After many surgeries, I saw I couldn’t do the basic things we take for granted everyday – I couldn’t lift over 5 pounds, so that meant, no cooking, cleaning, groceries, laundry, the basics of a mom of 3 boys ages 8, 5 and 3 at the time. My husband and I kept thinking, there has to be something to help.
I ended up writing a book in October 2016 called “Strength in My Storm: Faith and breast cancer” – I felt I was supposed to share my story in the hopes that it would encourage someone to know they are not alone. I also started sharing my story and speaking as I felt people need to know that there is HOPE on the other side of their storm. Then in December 2016 started the GEST Foundation, Inc. because my husband Aaron and I thought if I needed help during surgeries than others must as well. Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of cancer diagnosed individuals by providing spiritual, emotional and financial support during their storm. Being from Canada, I didn’t understand how I could start a Foundation, however, I knew if God called me to do it, He would provide a way and the right people to guide and help me….and He did!
We were able to give out our first grant in October 2018 and in the past year of giving out grants, we have been able to pray for each applicant and award grants to EVERY person/family that has submitted a grant! That is purely by the grace of God! We have given out over $23,000 and we believe that 2020 we will be partnering with major companies, businesses and people to raise a thousand times that number to give out to families. In Feb 2017, we did our first major fundraiser called the ROC Walk or Reign over cancer at Cane Island in Katy and then in Feb 2018, we added to it and it’s become the ROC Walk/5K. We are looking forward to our 3rd Annual ROC Walk/5K coming up Feb 22, 2020 and we are believing for it to double again for participants and money raised so that we can give it right back out to those battling cancer.
Has it been a smooth road?
I don’t think anything worthwhile is a smooth road, and that’s a good thing. I believe that we need to go through “hills and valleys” so that we can learn and become stronger. When you write a book to share your story, I learned quickly that others will have their own opinion about your choices, what you did, what you are doing and what you should have done. I have learned to not be “offended” and to be kind, show grace and discern what to “take in’ and what to let flow right out! That was a HUGE lesson to learn for me – to know it’s my story, it’s my journey and every person that goes through a storm will have a different experience – and that’s okay. Every person diagnosed with cancer, even the same type, will have a different road to take, there’s not two that are exactly the same. We need to respect each other and the choices. I believe it’s important to share information I have learned about integrative medicine, natural options and how faith is integral. However, I’m called to share and educate how I can, not to pressure someone to do it the way I did or didn’t do it. That’s between them and God.
What I also learned is when you start a Foundation, some people will not support you or contribute until they see that you are legitimate nonprofit, which could take years. I did not know that at the time I started and was asking for monetary support. People wanted to see what we would do and how we would handle ourselves and I respect that. It was very important for me to find people that had the strengths I did not so that I could surround myself with them to make GEST Foundation a success and to do it properly. The first few years can be difficult and a challenge and you have to remember your vision, your mission and WHY you are doing this – that will keep you going, knowing you are doing this to help others, to encourage them, to restore hope and to show them they are not alone. I learned that along the way – and knowing that when God has called you to do something for His purpose, you can trust that He will work out a way for everything – to just keep being obedient and taking the next step.
Please tell us about GEST Foundation.
GEST Foundation’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of cancer diagnosed individuals by providing emotional, spiritual and financial support during their storm. Currently, we can give out grants of up to $500 to help with those needs that you really don’t think about, until you can’t do them anymore. I feel we are set apart because there are no other foundations doing what we are – we are not for a specific cancer, you may apply if you have been diagnosed with any type of cancer. We did this as my family passed away from all different cancers and we named the foundation for them. G – for my mama Gemma, E for my dad Elmer and Baba Elsie, S for my oldest brother Steven and T for my maiden name Trakalo. My husband Aaron came up with the name to honour and represent my family and all types of cancer.
I feel that as a cancer survivor myself, I have been there, I understand getting the diagnosis and hearing “you have cancer” and I remember all too well, after each surgery that I needed help, in many different ways, emotionally, spiritually and financially. When you go through that, and you come out the other side, my heart is just to see who I can help. My personal mission has become to encourage, speak and restore hope to those affected by cancer. Which means the person diagnoses, but also the caregiver and family as cancer affects the WHOLE family. I am so proud that my husband has been by my side the whole time and my three boys, Daniel, David and Dylan. They come with us to events, to deliver cheques to applicants and to pray with people. They know that God healed mama to be cancer-free and they want to honour Him, pray for others, raise money and share about what we do to help others. For my youngest son Dylans birthday in 2019, he asked for donations to GEST Foundation instead of birthday presents – not too many nine years old do that and when I see that the boys have it in their hearts to give back, encourage and help others, it makes me beyond proud.
We have partnered with Katy Christian Ministries, MD Anderson Social Workers and Texas Children’s Social workers so that when they have families that come in, they have started to share about our Foundation and what we provide – that has been a huge blessing to us in 2019. When I have the opportunity to speak to social workers, their biggest shock is that we accept applications for ANY type of cancer – that really sets us apart.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
In the next 5-10 years, I see us with many GEST GIVERS monthly – which is something we just started. People or businesses can be a GEST Giver by donating monthly, quarterly or yearly. We believe that this will grow to where we can know what amounts are coming in monthly so that we can give the highest amount of $500/month to every family as we are not quite there….yet!
Right now, we meet monthly to go over grants, see what donations have come in and award grants accordingly. Sometimes we are able to give $200/family or $300/family. I see us having to meet 2x a month and being able to award $500/family and getting to the point in the next five years to up our grants to $1000/family which will be such a blessing.
The more people learn about us and what we do, I see us partnering with many, many organizations, businesses, corporations and families that will want to lock arms with us, provide sponsorship, donations and will want to even volunteer to help with our ministry. For that, we need more exposure, more support, volunteers and prayers so that people can learn about GEST Foundation and put us on their monthly or yearly donations and marketing budgets. WE also see us expanding not only to all of Texas but all of USA so that we can make a difference to more people battling cancer.
Pricing:
- *GEST Giver – $100/month
Contact Info:
- Website: GESTfoundation.org
- Phone: 956-832-9188
- Email: michelle.perzan@gestfoundation.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GESTFoundationInc/
- Twitter: @GESTfoundation
Image Credit:
Fallon Michael
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