Our Stories

In 2009 Dr. Cathy Engel contacted me with the idea of creating a non-profit organization to help cancer patients with non-medical expenses. She would call it TOUCH in the hope of touching the lives of people whose lives and finances had been ravaged by cancer. She asked if I would help her to organize it. I said yes immediately. Retired after more than 50 years as an ordained Protestant minister, I had known many cancer patients who could have benefited from TOUCH. Others joined with us and TOUCH was established with the help of many generous donors. This work has been both challenging and rewarding. My hope and prayer is that TOUCH will continue as long as there are cancer patients who need our help.

-Phil Hoy-

Founding Board Member

My mother passed away from complications due to lung cancer in November 2009. Before she left, she made me promise her two things,

1.) I’d look after my father, and

2.) I’d volunteer in someway to help ease the minds and burdens of cancer patients. My mother was a fighter and truly believed that cancer would not beat you as long as you had hope and fight! She truly wanted to share that fighting spirit with others. She wanted to let others know that just because you heard the word “cancer” you didn’t have to lay down and give up.

After she passed away, I knew I had to keep my promises to her- as a way to honor her and her journey. I truly don’t know which task was more difficult!

I immediately knew I could contact a friend, Cathy Engel, whose husband, Dr Ed Engel, had passed from lung cancer a few years before my mother. I knew she was active in the cancer support community and I knew I could count on her to help me find a place to volunteer. I wasn’t entirely sure that I was ready for that, so I immersed myself in watching out for my father and kept using that as an excuse to not reach out to Cathy. Fate, or my mother, had other ideas.

On February 14, 2010 I found myself at the same Art Show as Cathy. I spent the first 30 minutes watching where she was and going in the opposite direction. But as Fate, or, my mother, would have it, I was so busy ducking her that I bumped into her! That is when she expressed her sympathy for the passing of my mother and I KNEW it was TIME. So I told her of my promise to my mother and I will never forget her words to me: “Well, actually, I’ve started this new charity and we need board members.” My first thought was, “Who just STARTS a charity- and HOW???” My statement to her was, “Im kinda more of a Worker Bee than a Board Member.” And her reply was, “Don’t worry, there will be plenty of work for the board members.” Aaand, she was correct!

In answer to my silent thought, “Who starts a charity?”- Apparently, Cathy Engel! I soon learned that petite woman was a GIANT! She not only saw a need she decided she was going to find a way to help fill it. She set out to find a way to help, found the support of key community leaders, and forged ahead. In 2009 TOUCH INC. became a reality, in December 2009 we sent out our first financial assistance check, and we have been doing our best to make a difference to those who are financially impacted by a cancer diagnosis and the rigors of treatment since then. Cathy first started raising funds with Bake Sales and Garage Sales! Some of those where she was the only volunteer manning the events. Over the years TOUCH has had many amazing volunteers from her husband’s office staff to close family and dear friends, to so many others impacted by a cancer diagnosis- either for themselves or a loved one.

I attended my first board meeting in March of 2010 and have been privileged enough to be part of TOUCH INC. ever since. In July 2016, Cathy retired as the Chair of TOUCH INC. and handed over the patient files, and checkbook to me. I tried very hard those first few months to BE Cathy, but quickly realized there is only one Cathy Engel. I eventually found my footing- with the help of some truly amazing board members and together we work to continue TOUCH INC.’s mission – which is truly Cathy Engel’s mission! Our vision, our goal is that, “No cancer patient goes without basic living needs due to their diagnosis.

To Cathy Engel, to all the AMAZING board members, volunteers, participants, donors, sponsors, and attendees of our events, thank you for being the kind and generous souls that you are. To all of the board members (and their family members) especially, thank you for all the time, talent, treasure, blood, sweat, and tears you have given to help those struggling due to a cancer diagnosis- and the community in general. I truly believe that each of you has helped our corner of the world by what you have contributed. I do not know who said it but someone else said, “In helping one, we help all.” As David O said, “We rise by lifting others.” I may hold the title of “Executive Director” but the title means nothing without the support and contributions of all those before me and with me now. A title is nothing without the real powerhouses behind the scenes- all who believe in our mission wholeheartedly.

If you would like to be a part of this amazing group of people please feel free to reach out to any of us. We always are in need of good hearts and strong backs to continue our mission.

-Sandy Feltz-

Executive Director

Several years ago I was asked by a dear friend to attend a meeting. She gave me a time and an address. She said this group is about making a meaningful impact in the lives of those battling cancer. Well, I have had several family members and friends who have had to deal with cancer in their lives so I attended my first meeting of TOUCH, Inc. I met this wonderful group of volunteers devoted to easing the non-medical burdens that accompany cancer treatment and the driven founder of this group who does not stop trying to guide us to find ways to make money to help these patients. 
With a desire to make a positive difference, I enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with TOUCH, Inc., in the collective effort to provide comfort and support to those navigating the challenging journey of cancer treatment.

-Pam Rickenbaugh-

Vice Chair

Jessica Engel is in her second year of Chair of Board of Directors for TOUCH INC. She has been involved with the organization going on 6 years and is extremely passionate about TOUCH’s mission. She was lucky enough to be “voluntold” by her mother-in-law to attend a TOUCH board meeting several years ago. 
While Jessica originally grew up in Newburgh, IN, she and her now husband moved back to their hometown in 2018 to raise their family. Outside of being a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, she and her husband Jon spend all of their time with Estelle and Celeste, their young daughters.