Karen Stodola, currently in treatment for breast cancer, is a true survivor.

Diagnosed in March, she had a double mastectomy in May, just completed four rounds of chemotherapy and will soon begin radiation. New to the Bothell area from Denver, Colo., she called Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation for support. One request of hers was help in finding a henna tattoo artist to design a “head tattoo” once she lost her hair. The volunteer came to the appointment and she herself had a breast-cancer ribbon design put on her own shoulder.

Angel Care pairs newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients with a trained volunteer who is a breast-cancer survivor. These “angels” offer support, organizational skills, an objective ear and an open heart. Currently, there are 43 such volunteers in the greater Puget Sound area.

Karen describes her experience with Angel Care as supportive and helpful. She says, “I was given a great match in my ‘angel.’ There is no better person to understand cancer than another survivor, and I lucked out in finding someone who has dealt with her experience in some similar ways. We have laughed hard together, sharing stories, and she’s the only person who didn’t say ‘huh?’ when I mentioned getting henna on my bald head.

“This ‘angel’ assisted me in just the way I needed, which was organizing my overwhelming stack of medical bills and insurance papers,” she added. “We sat together for over an hour in the Woodinville Library, and she helped me put things in order. What a gift that was. I am grateful for her time, her kindness and her phone calls to check on me; and for this organization.”

The organization’s major fund-raiser each year is a calendar with “angel” volunteers as models. This year’s calendar is titled “Faces of Angel Care, Unveiling the New Year 2010.” It pictures “angel” volunteers as models and is a celebration of life after cancer.

Bobbie DeCoster of Kenmore is Miss December again this year.

People can purchase the calendar and have it signed by some of the models from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Challenger Ridge Winery in Woodinville. Ten percent of wine sales that day will go to support Angel Care. Calendars are also available on Amazon.com by searching Angel Care calendar.

For information, visit the Angel Care Web site at www.angelcarefoundation.org.