My dad left Michigan the day he graduated high school, determined to fulfill a lifelong dream of living in the Alaskan wilderness. Growing up, he’d honed his skills hunting and fishing, driven by a passion for the rugged life of the Alaskan Bush. When he finally reached the end of the road in Talkeetna, Alaska, I was by his side—his tiny daughter—and although he was a rustic woodsman at heart, he adapted his lifestyle to give me the best care and opportunities he could.
In the middle of this wild and remote life, Sunshine Community Health Center became a lifeline. My dad would bring me in by snowmachine for dental checkups, sports physicals, and annual appointments. I was covered by Denali Kid Care, but dad didn’t have insurance, relying on the Sliding Fee Scale for his own health needs. Sunshine allowed him to stay true to his adventurous, off-the-grid lifestyle while still being the best dad he could.
Years later, when my dad became sick, Sunshine’s care went beyond what I could have imagined. It started with a medical emergency—my dad was rushed to the hospital with a bladder issue, only to discover he had stage 4 prostate cancer. The diagnosis came with a flood of referrals, treatments, and recommendations. Overwhelmed, scared, and heartbroken, I turned to Sunshine CHC, where Jenelle Johnson, PA, helped us navigate each step with kindness and patience.
“She cares for me just like you do,” Dad once said. “It’s almost like I have two daughters.” He loved talking with Jenelle, sharing his stories and asking about her family. He didn’t just feel like a patient—he felt like part of the Sunshine family.
Sunshine’s team did everything they could to ease our burden. They arranged my dad’s Durable Medical Equipment, ensuring I didn’t have to juggle more on my to-do list. They prescribed his medications in ways that allowed him to remain at his remote property as long as possible, knowing how challenging the seasonal changes made travel. They called often to check on him, coordinated his labs so he wouldn’t have to journey into town, and adjusted their schedules to fit his needs. And they didn’t just care for him physically—they listened to his stories, his poetry, his worries, and his joys.
As my dad’s journey with cancer became harder, Sunshine’s team became a constant source of strength and support, not only for him but for me as well. They helped us through six years of battles—against the disease, referrals, treatments, and countless labs. Though the fight ended on August 15th, 2024, with his passing, I am forever grateful that he didn’t fight it alone. Sunshine CHC was there every step of the way.
While this story doesn’t end with a miracle cure or renewed life, it’s a joy to share that my dad felt loved and important, right to the very end. Sunshine’s compassion gave me the time and strength to be with him, to hold his hand as he took his final breath. They gave me—and him—the gift of peace during the most difficult chapter of our lives.
I will always be thankful for the care, love, and community that Sunshine CHC gave us. They made his journey with cancer a little less hard, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.
Sierra Winter Smith - Daughter & Community Relations Manager
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (PANGANGALAGA)
*This article was written with the support of AI*