Nonprofit video features local couple at Tunnell Cancer Center

Native American Chief Wolf Walker Chet Peden, first Appalachian Cherokee chief of Delaware, is proud to talk about the walking stick he carved to recognize his heritage. He shows pictures of intricate wooden figures he whittled by hand as a way of paying homage to his Native American roots. However, when he talks about his passion for carving, sadness enters his eyes. Chet no longer can carve figures, his fingers have become so weak. He is fighting cancer, which was discovered by accident.

“I was supposed to go in for knee surgery, but I was feeling weak,” said Peden. “I saw several physicians and specialists about it; however, it wasn’t until they did the blood testing for the surgery that they found the cancer. It was stage three and it had already gone into my liver and lungs.”

Chet’s wife, Nancy, was by his side when they heard the news.

“It was pretty devastating for us,” said Nancy. “We were doing alright on our retirement, but this diagnosis came out of nowhere, and we weren’t prepared for the financial burden.”

She began doing research and making phone calls, searching for financial support. “I was making 10, 15 calls per day and getting nowhere,” said Nancy. “After about 60 phone calls, I was breaking down, and I finally talked to Jude at Tunnell Cancer Center about it.”

Judith Johnson-Shupe is the Tunnell Cancer Center psychosocial services specialist who helps patients find the support they need. “It’s really rewarding to work with patients like Chet and Nancy, and to help ease some of their burden,” said Johnson-Shupe. “When I heard of their financial struggles, I put them in touch with Bringing Hope Home.” The couple met with the film team from Bringing Hope Home, a nonprofit cancer charity based in Malvern, Pa. The charity, which provides financial and emotional support for cancer patients and families in Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware, will feature the Pedens in a video to be released in May as part of its 10-year anniversary celebration.

Bringing Hope Home started in 2008 in memory of Nicole Isenberg. Paul Isenberg was a senior at West Chester University when he met the love of his life, Nicole. After they were married, they had their first child, Christopher, in 1995 and shortly after, Nicole became pregnant with their second child, Gabrielle.

During her pregnancy with Gabby, Nicole wasn’t feeling well; she finally decided to go to the doctor to see what was going on. She heard three words that changed her life forever: “You have cancer.” When she was nine months pregnant, and just 32 years old, Nicole was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Soon after her diagnosis, Nicole gave birth to a healthy baby girl and immediately started intense chemotherapy. The Isenbergs felt blessed that they had the support of their family, friends, church, and the community, but they met many families that were going through their cancer battle alone. During her six years of treatment, Nicole told Paul to get all of his “great guys” together and host a charity dinner. The first Great Guys Dinner was held in 2001 and raised $13,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Nicole passed away in 2003, but her idea for the Great Guys Dinner has continued through Bringing Hope Home, founded in 2008. In 2016, the Great Guys event raised more than $320,000.

“All the money raised at Bringing Hope Home is used to help families with cancer pay their household bills, such as their rent, mortgage and household utility bills during their illness,” said Amy Forkin of BHH. “We want families to know that they are not alone, and we are here to help them.”

Families apply for grants, which can range up to $2,000. The grant funds are paid directly to utility vendors, or to supply gas or grocery cards. Last year alone, Bringing Hope Home paid bills for 583 local families with cancer.

“It is incredibly rewarding work, and we are blessed to meet so many wonderful families like the Pedens,” said Judy Swahl of BHH.

Chet met Nancy in a movie theater. Nancy was causing a stir as she and a girlfriend were trying to find seats in the already darkened theater. “They were being noisy and were about to get thrown out,” said Chet. “I reached over and said, ‘Sit down,’ and pulled her into the empty seat next to me. That was it. And here we are 56 years later.”

The couple raised their two sons in southern New Jersey and later retired to Delaware. They now live in the Milford area and travel to Tunnell Cancer Center regularly for treatment.

“We are so grateful for the support we receive here at Tunnell and to Bringing Hope Home,” Chet said. “I just can’t even express how much it all means to us. You know, money troubles are very hard on a marriage. We were feeling rocky there when we started cancer treatments. You get to a point as a patient that you feel like such a burden, and that can turn you angry. I don’t want that to be how our marriage is, and now we can focus on each other and focus on healing – because Bringing Hope Home was there for us and helped us with a grant.”

During a recent treatment, the Pedens met some of the Bringing Hope Home team members who traveled to Tunnell Cancer Center for the filming. It was their first time meeting face to face, although, as Chet said, it was like they have known each other for years.

“Cancer is a tough journey, and you have to stay positive,” Chet said. “I plan to get through this, and maybe someday I will get back to carving. Maybe I won’t, but I plan to find a new passion for myself. Life’s too precious – I want to enjoy every minute I have.”

For more information on Tunnell Cancer Center, go to www.beebehealthcare.org. For more information on Bringing Hope Home or to donate, go to www.bringinghopehome.org.