Local Cancer Survivor’s Story Published in Famous “Chicken Soup for the Soul” Book Series
Author is donating the proceeds to the Carilion Clinic Foundation to expand cancer care.
Local cancer survivor Lynn Baringer whose story, “Saving Two Lives,” was published earlier this year in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles and the Unexplainable, is donating the proceeds from her book sales to the Carilion Clinic Foundation.
Baringer presented the Foundation with a check for $15,000 to support Carilion’s strategic priority of building a new world-class Cancer Center that will bring together personalized care, advanced treatment options, and cutting-edge research close to home.
“It gives me healing and closure to share my journey with others facing cancer,” said Baringer. “My hope is that my gift will help Carilion expand clinical trials and build a new cancer center. This way, patients just like me can receive the best care in the best facility with the best doctors close to home, surrounded by family and friends and the support of their faith communities.”
Baringer also donated copies of the book to cancer patients at Carilion.
Baringer was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 the same day she learned she was pregnant with her son, Dominic. After giving birth to a healthy baby boy and traveling across the country in search of care, she returned to Roanoke, where William Fintel, M.D., Carilion Clinic’s medical director of Hematology-Oncology, opened a clinical trial for her.
She was declared cancer-free in February 2022.
She wrote and submitted her story of inspiration to book publisher Chicken Soup for the Soul as part of her healing process and learned in July that “Saving Two Lives” would be included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles and the Unexplainable, which was published in September.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the books Baringer sells will go to the Carilion Clinic Foundation.
“We are so grateful to be recipients of this gift,” said Ralph Alee, Carilion Clinic’s vice president for Philanthropy. "With Lynn’s help, we are one step closer to achieving our goal of bringing the latest cancer treatments and technologies closer to home for people like her.”
ABOUT CARILION CLINIC
Carilion Clinic traces its roots to 1899 when Roanoke Hospital was established as a not-for-profit charitable organization with the mission of providing health care to citizens regardless of their ability to pay. Although it has evolved over the years from a single hospital into a nationally ranked health system, Carilion continues to rely on the generous support of donors to advance its mission.
For more information, visit CarilionFoundation.org and SavingTwoLives.com.