Phils Friends

I have been volunteering for this organization for years. They take their mission of sharing hope and encouragement to people battling cancer very seriously. It is their God given purpose and I am grateful to be a part of it.

Phil's Friends is a practical and spiritual lifeline of hope and support to cancer patients and their families
that changes lives. Learning of all the thank-yous & positive responses from cancer recipients across the US who receive a free care package, follow-up cards of hope, and prayer is inspiring. Cancer recipients are reminded that they are loved & not alone on their journey. Phil's Friends has sent over 50,000 care packages and 1,000,000 cards of hope to-date. New volunteers and groups are getting involved every week to support this critical and amazing cancer support mission. Will you join us? Go to philsfriends.org today!

I am a current Phil's Friends Board member and I have been impressed how PF's had stay consistent to their mission over the years: Providing Christ-centered support & encouragement to those affected by cancer.

As someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and has gone through the uncertainty, doubt, and fear that comes with it, I can tell you that everyone needs to be reminded that "Cancer is strong, but Hope is Stronger". Providing Care Packages and Cars of Hope helps remind patients that they are not alone and that there are many people praying for them and care about the in this very difficult time. People that they may not ever know or meet.

This is a great ministry to help those at a very specific time with specific needs and Phil's Friends does it exceptionally well. Phil and many of our staff and volunteers have walked down that path. We are blessed to be a blessing to others!

This was a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Its very nice to know that people care and understand how hard it is to go through something like this.

This wonderful organization sent a couple of their very special boxes out to family members going through cancer treatments. The arrival of this special gift made such an impact on each of them. To know that someone is caring about them and wanting to offer a bit of comfort is huge for anyone loving through the treatment process. What a difference Phil’s Friends is making out in the world❤️

Phil's Friends is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends to benefit those who are going through cancer journeys. It is very well run, a comfortable place, very organized and a wonderful space to spend time coloring cards, designing boxes, tying blankets, putting it all together in care packages. I love that the group always prays together after working, asking the Lord to bless the patients who will receive the care packages that will be sent out. The staff is happy, encouraging, appreciative and efficient. It's a delightful place to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Phil's Friends has a great passion for people struggling with a challenging diagnosis of cancer. I was shown an opportunity to use my interest in paper crafting and quickly found a way to get others involved in crafting cards and journals to be added to the Hope Boxes. The people that come in to volunteer cross all ages and abilities and all walks of life but work toward one purpose. Many of these volunteers are cancer survivors or have lost someone to cancer and have a personal experience that motivates them to help. It is evident in the conversations that our crafting is healing for the participants as well as encouraging to the recipients.

Eventually, I found a way to bring the crafting opportunity to a senior retirement home where I showed the participants how to make cards for cancer patients. These wonderful people were so delighted to have an opportunity to serve and encourage someone else. As I left the facility that day, it occurred to me that Phil's Friends is intended to bring encouragement to cancer warriors but the volunteers/participants are helped as well.

This organization understands the needs of the cancer patient going through treatment. They have provided Phil's Friends boxes for our patients the last 5 years. They are organized and they are doing what they do for the right reasons.

As the Missions Director at Illiana Christian High School, I work closely with Phil's Friends. This is one of the most charitable organizations in the Northwest Indiana region, and the fact that their impact goes far beyond NWI is astounding. The premise is simple - bring joy to the life of someone who needs it. They accomplish this goal in many ways - Cards of Hope and Care Packs most notably. The staff is incredible and works well with our students not only providing opportunities for service but also helping the students understand the importance of their work with Phil's Friends.

Phil's Friends is any amazing organization that walks along side cancer patients of all ages, bring Hope and support to not only the patient, but the family, friends, & care givers. A cancer diagnosis is a very scary experience to go through. Having an organization like Phil's Friends brings peace and comfort know that you are not alone.

Phil's Friends brings HOPE! When someone has health needs like cancer they may feel all alone. Phil's Friends walks beside the cancer patient and their family starting with a thoughtful care package and then monthly cards. The monthly jokes are silly, but brighten one's day. It's great to know that someone cares--especially when you feel all alone. Creating cards and assembling care packages is great for me as a volunteer too!

I love Phil’s Friends and the way that they care for cancer patients. They bring hope, comfort, joy and love to people in need. With every item packed and every box hand decorated, they show the recipient they are not alone on their journey. As a volunteer I feel blessed to be a part of this organization . I enjoy every box that I decorate because I know it will bring someone joy.

Love that we give HOPE to individuals facing the cancer journey with every package we send or card we mail out.

When you are diagnosed with cancer, your faith gets tested, and you feel completely alone at times. It seems like the care packages from Phil's Friends arrive at just the right time, and provide much needed comfort to the recipients. For me, my care package arrived about 2 weeks after my first chemo treatment, while my husband was hospitalized with covid pneumonia. It was the perfect time to get a care package that was personalized and uplifting. When my faith was being tested the most, Phil's Friends was there to remind me that God was still in control. I am now a volunteer for my local PF - and completely love how hard working and dedicated the employees are. This is a wonderful organization providing a much needed support to those battling cancer.

This nonprofit impacts both recipients and volunteers.
The free care packages bring hope and support to cancer patients, their family & friends.
The volunteer experience helps so many give back to the community, and bring comfort to people they know and do not know who are walking the cancer journey.

I've an associate pastor at Village Church, in Dyer, IN. We regularly send volunteers to help pack boxes at Phil's Friends. Their staff are some of the friendliest, hardest-working people, and they make volunteers feel like part of their family. Phil's Friend's mission to encourage those battling cancer is an honorable one, and they go above and beyond to see this through. Families in our church have received their care packages as they've battled cancer and it means the world to them. Everything about my experiences with Phil's Friends and their team has been nothing short of spectacular.

A dear friend of mine received a care package several years ago. It meant so much to her and the monthly cards of hope were very uplifting for her. After her remission, she helped Phil start the Phil's Friends Hope to Hospitals program which I joined with her. We visitied cancer patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital twice per month and handed out care packages and prayed with the patients and visited. The program expanded to inlcude 5 major hospitals in Chicago. I have volunteered also in the Hope Center and after the Crown Point, IN Hope Center was opened I became a Group Leader as well as an Administrative Assistant in the office. I am always amazed at the notes and emails that we receive from our care package recipients thanking us for their package and for the feeling of hope that they also received. Many people are alone on their cancer journey and Phil's Friends lets them know that others care and are praying for them throughout their treatment.

Often, our volunteers go on to become group leaders like myself. I feel that it is the greatest compliment to our organization that our volunteers are so committed to our ministry and vision that they become part of our team.

If you know anyone with cancer, please do not hesitate to order a free care package to be sent to them through our webiste: philsfriends.org.

This is a great place to volunteer at. There are many things to do and everyone is so nice.
The care packages they put together are sent to people who are going through cancer and treatments. Such love and thoughtfulness are put into each care package!

Wonderful organization and a great place to volunteer.

I had you send a Care box to my friend in Florida, who is dying with Stage 4 bone cancer. I spoke with her yesterday, and she was so Happy to have received the Box of goodies! She said she especially treasured the blanket and the Bible to bring comfort in the very cold chemo infusion room! It comforts the body and the soul! She also said the card in the box was signed by a man, and it meant a lot that he would care about someone he didn’t even know! Thank you so much for what you do, it means more than you know!!

I was very concerned and alone. I was told i had lung cancer. I had already in years previous had colon cancer, before that cervical cancer. Along wth all of that i had other medical issues and became disabled. Over time I lost almost all my friends. I wasn't fun anymore and admittedly very depressed. I was looking for support. Most organizations specificaly dealt with Brest cancer. I was looking for me with lung cancer. In the same year I lost my older daughter and my middle daughter was in heart failure. I was so depressed and felt all alone. Then one day I received a box from Phil's Friends. I have had my surgery, Chemo and Radiation. All along I received cards from many people of many ages.All filled with good wishes and prayers. Just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness and careing. I don't feel lonely because all of you were there. I can't thank all involved for being there for me enough
God bless you all.
P.S.
Phil's Friends have been with me since day 1.

Phil's Friends is an amazing organization that donates care packages to individuals suffering from cancer. Every one of the employees are extremely kind and will guide you if you are unsure where to help. You can choose to package blankets, customize boxes by coloring them with very creative stencil designs, or to make cards! Another awesome fact about Phil's Friends is that each care package is completely unique! I definitely recommend this organization to anyone!

I heard about Phil's from a friend who was in treatment for breast cancer. I came to see what you did at the center and have loved the mission and caring of all the staff and volunteers. I have sent packages and have received thanks and love from the recipients. They would share the joy and tears they felt to know people cared for them and were praying for them. All of Phil's staff members are so nice and friendly and keep us busy. I have developed friendships with so many other volunteers and love coming each week.

As a almost 2 year breast cancer survivor and recipient of one of these boxes. I made it my mission to reach out to others who are touched with cancer, by sending boxes to friends, family, and strangers. Plus I also am very vocal with sharing how Phil's Friends is a great organization to support!

I received a diagnosis of stage 2a Hodgkins lymphoma. I had always been healthy and this was an absolute shock! Posting on FB, one of my friends responded with a care box from Phil's Friends. It was the most comforting and encouraging thing at a time when I was at my lowest. The weekly cards from strangers were so uplifting...3 years later I still have them all. Phil's Friends is such a blessing!!!

My friend Geoffrey was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a form of cancer. I went through the various stages with him, from having his cells harvested to having them transplanted into his body. Someone had sent him a care package from Phil's Friends. At the time, I only knew that it came from somewhere where people volunteered and cared about those having cancer. Last summer, Geoffrey and I decided to find out more about Phil's Friends and came to one of the volunteer meetings. That was in August of 2018, and we come once a week on Thursday afternoons to help out with whatever we can. Mostly, it's in putting cards together to send out to cancer patients. They get colored and have verses inside to make the cancer patients smile and feel hopeful. I love going to Phil's Friends and plan on doing it for as long as I possibly can. I believe, in my heart, that it's a very worthwhile organization. God bless.

An amazing concept and even more amazing group.of people.

After my neighbor told me he had been battling bladder cancer I remembered Phils Friends. They do an excellent job of offering support and encouragement to cancer patients of all ages. Knowing that there is a group of caring volunteers assembling care packages and sending out cards of encouragement to people just like my neighbor touches my heart and reminds me that compassion is priceless. Thank you Phils Friends!

I came home from work one day and found this box waiting for me. It was filled with things to encourage me since I had just found out that I had esophageal cancer. The t-shirt in the box had a scripture verse on it which I wore for years proudly. I can't tell you how much that gift meant to me. I don't know who shared with Phil's friends but I am so grateful that they did. I have just celebrated my 10 year anniversary cancer free! This organization is such a blessing.
Sincerely,
Marian

I am a professional consultant and a native of Illinois. I attended Walther Lutheran High School (Melrose Park -- class of 1989) and frequently attended opportunities to come back to speak with students at alumni and career-based events.

I met Phil Zielke, Executive Director for Phil's Friends during a career day -- Phil was a keynote speaker for the event, to which he shared his testimony for how he was delivered from stage 4 cancer and given the vision of the ministry for Phil's Friends for Christian-based support for other individuals living with cancer. His story moved me to tears and afterwards, I spend time with Phil talking about his ministry and how I might help.

If I could summarize what Phil's Friends is it would be a ministry that serves the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people living with a serious disease by simply giving them physical and virtual 'HUGS', through useful gifts, compiled in a decorated care package (crafted and designed by volunteers), by regularly mailed cards with words of encouragement (also orchestrated by volunteers), and also by prayers both virtually and physically, through visits and engagements with cancer patients at several illinois-based hospitals (oncology department) who have embraced and partnered with Phil's Friends as a mission of bringing a message of hope.

After a few years of volunteering at PF headquarters (me & my family), Phil & I became good friends and ultimately prayer partners. He asked me to join his advisory board of directors and it was for the next 5 years, I was happy to serve the ministry in a number of capacities. Phil's heart is genuine with a focus and love for those struggling with cancer. His story (testimony) is powerful but the ministry is God's (per Phil) and its by those things that the organization continues to grow. It's a pleasure to be a part of bringing hope to people who need it in their greatest season of need.

I have been engaged with Phil's Friends for about one year. They are wonderful charity that is doing God's work by sharing the love of Jesus Christ with individuals who battling cancer. This love is not only shared by delivering care packages but by also visiting and praying with individuals while they are in the hospital.

I love the mission and work that Phil's Friends does. My dad passed away from cancer 20 years ago. 4 years ago, my 10 year old foster brother was diagnosed with cancer and received a care package from Phil's Friends. The smile on my brothers face as he opened the box was incredible. Cancer has touched my family and I love the hope and encouragement that they have been to my family. A little over a year ago, I began working in the Hope Center at Phil's Friends and I love being able to give back and help bring hope to other people who are on a cancer journey.

I am extremely thankful to be working for Phil's Friends as the Volunteer Coordinator and a group leader. When I was 13 years old, my dad died of multiple myeloma cancer. Before his passing, he was a friend of Phil's and a keynote speaker for one of his walk-a-thons. When I needed an internship for school, I knew Phil's Friends was the perfect choice. After a 4 month internship, I was hired on and I could not be more happy with the positive, uplifting environment.

My 4 year old son with kidney cancer received his surprise box from Phil’s friends just a couple of months ago. He was so excited and we felt so loved. Thank you for all that you do to bring hope to little ones fighting the toughest battle.

I became involved with Phil's Friends a few years ago when the charity foundation at my office volunteered on a Saturday. The people there are lovely and friendly. I put together a care package for my neighbor/friend and brought it home to her. She said the monthly cards encouraged her and made her smile through a difficult time. The next time I volunteered I brought my neighbor/friend with me. We made a care package which she gave to her Father. I have had care packages sent out to dear friends from grade school. I had heard that they were fighting cancer & I wanted to reach out in some way. Phil's Friends care package was a perfect way. They keep it anonymous. I found out recently that my husband asked Phil's Friends to come to his office last Christmas & the entire staff put together care packages instead of having a Christmas party. They donated the money they would have spent on a Christmas party to Phil's Friends. This past June my best friends & some of my family went to Phil's Friends one night and colored cards. We all put a care package together. Phil's Friends brings HOPE! And when you are fighting cancer, that is all you want. Thanks so much Phil's Friends!! Thanks for caring! Thanks for praying! Thanks for giving us hope! Mary T. Kanak

I am so thankful to work for Phil's Friends as the director of the Hope to Hospitals program! Everyone who works and volunteers with us has such a heart to bring love, support, and hope to people who are affected by cancer. I am amazed each day by the work God is doing in and through everyone connected to Phil's Friends. I have a family member with cancer and it has been such a blessing to use my experiences to provide support to others who are going through it or love someone who is as we do hospital visits. My job at Phil's Friends is an answer to my prayers and the way I feel God is helping me fulfill my calling to serve Him and others.

In 2016, my sister was admitted into the hospital for what appeared to be pneumonia. Two weeks later she passed away of Colon Cancer. Months prior she had been struggling with stomach aches but the doctors told her she was too young to have a colonoscopy and since there wasn't a history of colon cancer in our family she was left untreated. My faith is what got me through those very tough times and although I miss her everyday I am reminded of her each time I look into my 9 year old niece's face. My sister was a drug addict for most of her life. After the birth of my niece, she finally admitted to her addiction and went to Teen Challenge for a year. During her time at Teen Challenge she was saved which lead to my husband and I being saved which lead to my father, mother and daughter being saved. She may have not lived a great life for 42 years but it was her last 2 years here on earth that spoke volumes! After her death, I was lead to Phil's Friends through my church's women's ministry. I volunteered one Saturday afternoon and I have never turned back. Everyday I hear stories of those affected with cancer having hope and encouragement through a Care Package a loved one has sent them. I hear stories of many coming to Christ through a Care Package or Card of Hope. What started out as a way to honor my sister for a Saturday afternoon has turned into a passion. A passion to see more and more people lifted up in hope during a very difficult time. My sister was blessed. She never had one moment in that hospital room alone. Many do and I know through the work of Phil's Friends we can make sure no one has to go through cancer alone!

After sending my Dad a Care Package when he was diagnosed with Lung cancer, I saw the tremendous impact this organization has on those affected by cancer. I decided then, that I would do what I could to help them continue to spread hope to more and more cancer fighters. Currently, I am serving as the Vice President of Operations and I couldn't be more proud to be part of it all. Great place to work - Great place to volunteer - Great mission to those affected by cancer!