Hello [[INITIATIVE.AUDIENCE MEMBER.FIRST NAME]], 

I'm writing this newsletter on the eve of what would have been my dad's 79th birthday. He died from lung cancer on April 24 of this year; my mother died four days later. My dad, with whom I had a better relationship (despite my stepmother's repeated attempts to cut me out of his life), experienced unnecessary pain and suffering. To quote him, "I didn't realize it [cancer] would be such a slog."

My mother, with whom I had little to no relationship (read Better Off Bald to learn why), died two weeks after falling outside in her yard. Though I was barely in her life, I forgave her on her 80th birthday (four months before her death). She was grateful, apologetic, and accountable for what she had done to my sister, Adrienne, and me. From what my brother and I could gather, her death was quick, if not painless.

Though they had been divorced for over 40 years and hadn't seen each other in almost 30 years, my parents' deaths in the same week rocked my world in unexpected ways. My brother and I reunited, and I celebrated his 50th birthday with him, his fiancée, my husband, and our cousins. My brother and I were raised in separate homes (he with our father and me with our mother), and we discovered just how many secrets our parents kept or asked us to keep from each other. My broken heart, over things I cannot fix, is still mending.

Blue Faery experienced many changes as well. We hired a new program manager, Aura Sanchez. She bravely joined the US team at ASCO on her fourth day of employment. We realized we needed and hired a communications manager, Chasity Moody. She experienced her first conference last month at The Liver Meeting in Washington, DC. But we also lost people, too. Marina Uchenik, my sister's best friend and a long-time volunteer, as well as our operations manager for almost two years, left to accept a project management position with Bank of America. Susan Hall, our first development manager, left earlier this month.

Blue Faery continued our programs, including the Blue Faery Award (congrats again, Dr. Yarchoan!), Liver Cancer Community, Patient Resource Guides, Love Your Liver, The Truth About Liver Cancer, and You and Liver Cancer. Every year, we update our programs to reflect the continually evolving landscape of liver cancer. Additionally, we launched our first HCC Lunch & Learn with UT Southwestern physicians in Dallas. This in-person, educational, free event offers the local community the opportunity to learn more about liver health and liver cancer. As an entirely remote team, it's wonderful to meet the people we're helping every day in person. Zoom is a good platform, but a virtual hug is not the same as a real one.

Also, I married my long-time partner, Edward, in February, and we had a terrific honeymoon in August. Edward's 91-year-old mother was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer earlier this year. Her attitude toward cancer reminds me so much of Adrienne: loads of courage, dignity, grace, and humor. To quote my handsome husband, "It's been a hell of a year."

There is no joy without sorrow, just as there is no sorrow without joy. To experience one is to experience the other. However, I hope that during this holiday season, you have a fabulous time with your loved ones. I'm looking forward to watching the final season of Stranger Things (no spoilers, please!), couch-rotting (thank you, Aura, for teaching me that very Gen Z word), and snuggling with my honey and our pets.

Happy Holidays! 

Fighting Liver Cancer Together,
Andrea Wilson Woods
Founder and President

P.S. If you're attending ASCOGI next month in San Francisco, please don't hesitate to reach out so we can meet in person. 

We would love to hear how Blue Faery has made a difference in your life. Your story can inspire patients, caregivers, and advocates across our community, and sharing it is simple. When you open the link, please click the volume icon to hear Andrea's message before clicking the record button.

Do you know a doctor making a difference in liver cancer research? Each year, Blue Faery presents the Blue Faery Award for Excellence in Liver Cancer Research to honor doctors who are working to find better ways to prevent, treat, or understand liver cancer. You can help by nominating a doctor you admire. Submit your nomination by January 31.

Watching her speak so honestly and so courageously was unforgettable. Audience members told me afterward that they got goosebumps listening to her, and many were moved to tears.

Kay's voice underscores what science alone cannot convey: the human side of liver cancer, and the resilience of those who live with it every day. I invite you to experience her remarkable presentation for yourself on YouTube.

As we close out the year, we're reminded how much of our work is only possible because of supporters like you. Your year-end gift enables us to educate patients, empower caregivers, and raise awareness about liver cancer. Together, we can bring hope to even more families in 2026.

*Indicates a paid listing. If your trial is no longer recruiting, please email Chasity right away.