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New lesbian cancer project consolidates advocacy,
direct service and eauctional roles in one organization by Inga Sorensen
orie Hansen, 46, loves her two dogs,
two cats, her close-knit group of
friends, and her job as a kinesiothera-
pist at an area Veterans Adminis­
tration hospital. She’s got a Portland
Power addiction which she hungrily satisfies via
her designation as a season ticketholder, and
during those off-Power months, that perennial
dyke delight, softball, is way cool with her.
It’s a good life, but one which has, of late,
been pummeled by pain—mid-March marked
one year since Hansen lost her partner of 21-
plus years, Sharon Hambleton, to ovarian can­
cer.
Hambleton died three years after her diagno­
sis, and just shy of her 55th birthday.
“It was an exhausting three-year battle, but
having support, particular­
ly from other lesbians, real­
ly helped both Sharon and
me,” says Hansen, who is
spearheading the forma­
tion of the Hambleton
Project/Portland Lesbian
Cancer Network, a fledg­
ling
local
enterprise
designed to provide sup­
port, education, advocacy
and direct services to les­
bians with cancer, as well
as their partners and care­
givers.
“It was Sharon’s vision
and hope to see this
become a reality,” says Lorie Hansen
Hansen, who met Hambleton more than two
decades ago when the duo played field hockey
and softball together.
“Sharon was an excellent athlete,” Hansen
boasts tenderly.
Hambleton was also part of a small tight
group of lesbian pals known as the Foxy Ladies
of ‘42, because they were all bom that year.
Jan Dillon is the partner of Foxy Lady Barb
Morris. Dillon and Morris, who live near
Carlton, have been together 25 years. Neither
have cancer, but both are involved with the
Hambleton Project—and not only because of
their love for Hambleton and Hansen.
“We’ve experienced that feeling of cama­
raderie among lesbians, but there may be other
women who don’t have that kind of support net­
work established,” explains Dillon, a retired sci­
ence teacher and chair of the project’s education
committee.
Toss a life-threatening illness like cancer into
the mix and support becomes that much more
vital.
“Having other lesbians who understand what
you’re going through is really important,” Dillon
says.
Another Foxy Lady, who asked to remain
anonymous, couldn’t agree more.
The 55-year-old lesbian was diagnosed with
breast cancer a year after Hambleton received
her ovarian cancer diagnosis.
“I immediately turned to Sharon,” she says.
“I had other supportive friends, but Sharon was
the shining star.... I could talk with her about
all facets of my life. I didn’t have to edit things
out.”
Dealing with cancer is tough enough with­
out having the additional stress of censoring
yourself around heterosexuals. That, she says,
can scarf up much-needed energy.
“Sharon had such energy and such a positive
attitude. Up until the day she died, she thought
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U N IT A R IA N
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CONGREGATION
503 238-6036
800 684-5245
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FINANCIAL SERVICES,
■ The first general meeting for the HAMBLETON
PROJECT is slated, for 7 pm Monday, Apnl 6 , at
Friendly House, 1737 NW 26th Ave. in Portland.
Those interested in learning more or volunteering
are encouraged to attend. For further details, call
642-1007. The project’s mailing address is PO Box
7102, Aloha, OR 970077102.
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she was going to beat the cancer,” says the
woman, who is honoring Hambleton’s legacy by
serving on the project’s board. “Sharon provided
such an example of strength and courage.”
The Hambleton Project plans, in part: to
provide a guide on how to create and maintain
a personal support group; to generate a referral
list of medical specialists, therapists, attorneys
and clergy in the area who are sensitive to les­
bian issues; to provide referrals to support groups
for lesbians with cancer and groups for their
partners; to network with health care agencies
and the lesbian community; and to serve as a
contact for out-of-town patients coming to the
Portland area to receive cancer treatment.
While seeking treatment on the East Coast,
Hansen says, Hambleton received emotional
and practical support from lesbians associated
with the Mautner Project for Lesbians with
Cancer, a well-established program based in the
nation’s capital.
“Sharon didn’t know these women, yet they
took her in when she was there,” Hansen says.
“It meant so much. We want to be able to do the
same for lesbians coming to Portland for treat­
ment.”
The Hambleton Project is a member of the
National Coalition of Feminist and Lesbian
Cancer Projects, which is involved in a variety
of programs that provide services to women
around health issues. Some are advocacy-only
organizations, while others provide direct ser­
vices to women with cancer and their families.
Still others provide referrals only.
According to Hansen, the Hambleton
Project will provide all of the above.
While support groups exist locally for les­
bians with cancer and their partners, the
Hambleton Project is believed to be the only
program in the greater Portland area with such a
broad agenda.
Dr. Jocelyn White is a Portland physician
and former president of the Gay and Lesbian
Medical Association, a national organization for
sexual minority physicians and health care
providers. White has been acting as an informal
advisor to the Hambleton Project.
"Lesbian cancer projects around the country
have been well-received and I’m very excited
about the prospects for one here,” she says,
adding, “This is a project whose time has come.”
WELL
For more information and calendar:
http://www.uua.org.CONG/wveast.html
or call 777-3704
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