Winona's Story

Winona unexpectedly lost her husband in the middle of treatment for endometrial cancer and the grief compounded everything.

“The grief and chemo made me so sick, and I just couldn’t eat enough,” Winona shares. “I was losing weight quickly.”

At the MultiCare Cancer Institute at North Star Lodge, patients like Winona receive support from board‑certified oncology registered dietitian Lena Ogilvie, who meets with individuals throughout treatment to assess their nutritional needs and help them find foods they can tolerate.

“Our biggest concern during treatment is preventing significant weight loss,” Lena says. “We want to help patients make their calories count while keeping them as comfortable as possible.”

Through your generosity, North Star Lodge provides Boost nutritional shakes to patients who need them, offering an easier‑to‑digest source of calories and nutrients when whole foods feel overwhelming.

“A nutritional supplement like Boost can give patients what they need in a form that’s easier to consume,” Lena shares. “I still help them incorporate whole foods as they’re able, but keeping calories up is the priority, and these shakes really help.”

For Winona, the nutritional supplements changed everything. “Lena gave me a case of shakes, and it truly changed everything,” Winona says. “They were easy on my stomach, and when I couldn’t eat, I could sip on one.”

Because of you, more than 200 patients last year received nutritional supplements during their treatment. Your compassion helped Winona, and helps so many others, stay strong, supported, and focused on healing.