Susans Hope Foundation Introduction

💜 Susan’s Hope: Turning Love and Loss Into Action

On August 17th, 2009, my mother, Susan Marie Thorpe of Worcester, MA, passed away after a ten-year battle with Polycythemia Rubra Vera. Before that, she had survived skin cancer.

Susan was more than a fighter — she was a caregiver, a friend, and a light in the lives of everyone who knew her. Even while she was facing her own challenges, she gave her time and energy to help others, joining Relay for Life after losing her mother in 2000 to lung and stomach cancer. She believed in showing up for people — in the hard times and the good ones.

When Susan passed, I knew her story couldn’t end there. I created The Susan Marie Thorpe Polycythemia Rubra Vera Cancer Foundation to honor her life and help others walking the same path. Over the years, the mission has grown — and so has the vision.

Today, that same foundation has a new name: Susan’s Hope Foundation.

Why the change? Because while this will always be about Susan, it’s also about every family facing cancer. It’s about hope that carries you through sleepless nights, appointments, and difficult conversations. It’s about making sure no one feels like they have to go through this alone.

💜 Our Mission

Susan’s Hope Foundation is here to:

• Support patients, caregivers, and families living with cancer

• Provide emotional connection and practical resources

• Honor the fighters, remember the taken, and support the survivors

💌 How You Can Be Part of This

Right now, we are:

• Building a community of support through our Facebook group and local connections

• Preparing our first outreach and care kit deliveries for families in need

• Looking for volunteers, board members, and partners to help us grow

If you’ve been touched by cancer — as a patient, a caregiver, or a friend — we invite you to join us. Share your story, connect with others, and help carry hope forward.

Susan’s legacy is one of love, loyalty, and strength. Together, we can keep that legacy alive.