Member messages: 'Prayer is the greatest gift we can give our fellow Christians'

Over 10 years ago, I worked in private practice as a Christian counselor in the town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I went back to school in my 40s to get a second master’s degree in clinical counseling at a Christian university. Samaritan Ministries was my health care during all those years, and due to my good health, I had very few needs in those days.

In March 2022, a mole was found on my shoulder. Due to COVID-19, I had not gone in to see my primary care physician but used telehealth. I had a spider bite turn up and become inflamed. I went to urgent care and the doctor told me to RUN to the dermatologist, do not put it off. In a week, I would learn I had stage 3c metastatic melanoma. My world changed overnight. I was rushed into surgery to discover it had gone to my lymph nodes but wasn't in my body cavity. I found another treatment in Franklin, Tennessee.

Samaritan, through a personal call, told me that they would walk with me through this, and they sure have. Samaritan has been God's provision to get me through these last stages of treatment. It turned into stage 4 in December 2024. I am still showing strong in my constitution. I am attempting to get into a clinical trial this spring.

Overall, Samaritan Ministries has simplified our health care needs. We submit and our needs are met, and this is a weight off me when I am already sick.

Last week, a Samaritan chaplain called to pray with me and encouraged me with Scripture. The many notes that come with my Shares have blessed me, too. Many are praying for God's complete healing and the cancer to go into remission. I do not take these for granted because prayer is the greatest gift we can give our fellow Christians.

God has used Samaritan Ministries to take care of me during my diagnosis with cancer, even to have prolonged my life. I am forever grateful. God knew I would need Samaritan Ministries in my journey. I have been able to go to an oncologist and I am sure it has prolonged my life. I remain on this treatment exclusively now. I am praying for a miracle to see my stage 4 melanoma go into remission.