Michele's Story

A man and a woman smiling, the woman holds a can up high.

A woman and three children smiling outdoors near a vehicle.

Michele was diagnosed with advanced stage colorectal cancer in 2013 at the age of 47. Even though she lost her own 57 year old mother to the same cancer when Michele was only 17, it took everyone by surprise and sent her and her family into a state of shock. She did everything the doctors told her and received the conventional standard of care treatment, undergoing chemo, radiation and 2 surgeries. Even though these treatments caused months of physical pain and emotional discomfort, she tolerated them well and we are grateful that this method decimated the tumor and at the time extended her life.

Afterwards, we were told she would never be 100% cancer free because it was in her lymph system. "There was no cure " and she would need chemotherapy for the rest of her life. On top of that, due to the surgeries, she had to learn to function with an incomplete digestive system. With her spirit broken, feeling hopeless and fearful, she fell into a deep depression. She was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. Overwhelmed, she couldn’t find the support she needed for whole person wellness after her conventional cancer treatment.

Over time, not to be defeated, through diligent research she found integrative practitioners and discovered self-care techniques that improved her quality of life, decreased stress and possibly slowed down cancer growth. She became a person living and thriving with cancer and wanted to share all that she was learning with others.

Michele became a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. Along with being a dedicated wife, mother, sister, friend, student and party goer, she was now a teacher. Her life was filled with love and purpose. She was fortunate that she and her family had the means to afford these often expensive integrative services and activities that helped her so much. Many were not covered by insurance and involved time, sacrifice and energy. She was an inspiration to anyone she came in contact with and she wanted to assist others who were unable to find comfort and wellness during and after their cancer treatment.

There are thousands of stories out there of individuals finding the cure for devastating diagnoses and Michele read all that she could find. This gave her hope and helped her stay in a positive state of mind up until she succumbed to the disease in 2019, many years beyond her life expectancy. Even though she was not able to find the perfect combination for herself in time, she never stopped believing that anything was possible for herself and others. Our mission continues her quest to help those affected by cancer find the answers that meet their individual needs to live a loving and purposeful life. Inspired by Michele's life and work, her sisters, Vicki, Mary Beth and Lori founded PREVENT-HEAL-THRIVE.

SUPPORT TEAM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MICHELE'S THREE SISTERS ;

Lori Cote, Vicki Severin and Mary Beth Buckley

LORI COTE, President , Founder

AS Physical Therapy, NFPT Certified Cancer Recovery Specialist, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Pilates Instructor, owner of Aproma Studios: Michele and Lori spent many hours researching integrative cancer services together. As a Certified Integrative Health Coach, Michele worked with Lori to develop and present holistic health workshops and wellness plans.

VICKI COTE SEVERIN, Secretary, Founder BS Education/Therapeutic Recreational Services UCONN; In 1983 Vicki began her position as a Rehabilitation Therapist for State of Connecticut/ Department of Developmental Services. In 2003 she became the Director of Camp Harkness: retiring in 2022: Together, Vicki and Michele studied healing through positive thinking and the power of gratitude, both of which Michele became a master. Vicki hosted holistic nutrition workshops at Camp Harkness where Michele was a popular presenter.

MARY BETH (COTE) BUCKLEY, Treasurer , Founder AS Developmental Disabilities; over 33 years experience with State of Connecticut/Department of Developmental Services in various roles including Rehabilitation Therapist Assistant and Case Management. She continues to assist with individuals in the private setting: Mary Beth was a strong supporter of Michele attending all of her workshops, accompanying her to chemo treatments, caring for her dogs Jack and then Bella, driving her to doctor's appointments, bringing her dahlias and providing a laugh when she needed it.

ANDREA POLLAK LMFT

CO-FOUNDER, ADVISORY BOARD, PREFERRED PROVIDER, EVENT & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Core Energetics Practitioner in Old Saybrook

Andrea helps the team and participant choose the services that are the best fit.

"I have dedicated my career in serving motivated people find their passion and purpose and enhancing their quality of life. I educated myself in integrative health services while taking care of my mother for years while she was thriving with cancer. I also had the privilege of working closely with and providing healing therapies to Michele."

JO-ANN HELLER

CO-FOUNDER, PRIMARY BENEFACTOR, COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EVENT COMMITTEE OFFICER

Jo-Ann was a childhood friend of Michele's and the entire Cote family. They continued their friendship into adulthood and parenthood. Jo-Ann, with assist from her husband Johnny, contributes her time, talent, energy and funds to Prevent-Heal-Thrive events and beyond.

Noreen Arao

ADVISORY BOARD, VOLUNTEER

I have always had the natural tendency to care for others. It started with being in charge of

caring for my six brothers and sisters at a young age.

While living in Hawaii, my family grew up as a service family. 5 of the seven of us joined the

service and retired from it. My job for the Air Force was a medic.

In my later retired years, I had a cancer diagnosis, twice. I could see firsthand what it takes

to go through treatment and recover.

I chose Prevent-Heal-Thrive to volunteer for because of the positive impact they had on my

cancer journey. It felt important to give back. It was instrumental for my post healing and

helped me to move forward with my life. Cancer would have been so much more difficult

without their meaningful healing services they supported me with.

I also volunteer because I have the skills and experience. When you don’t know about these

important services, you tend to isolate. Having support makes all the difference. I wanted to be

part of that team. Prevent-Heal-Thrive gave me the healing and heart I needed to conquer

cancer and thrive.

Laurie McElwee

PEER MENTOR, DEVELOPMENT & EVENT COMMITTEES, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, BENEFACTOR

Laurie McElwee works through the Connecticut Department of Transportation and assists individuals with disabilities, seniors, and veterans with transportation connections and information. Her volunteer work and service as a board and advisory committee member is to Senior Resources, River Valley Transit, and Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Greater New Haven.

Her role with PREVENT-HEAL-THRIVE includes Peer Mentoring, Event Speaker, Development Committee Head, Event Committee and all around cheerleader!

While Laurie was going through her own cancer experience, she heard the story of Michele (Cote) Bassett and how she bravely fought cancer with courage and shared what she had learned about cancer with others. Laurie met Michele's three sisters who helped Michele's dream of a non-profit that supports many cancer services, became a participant and now a valuable member of the support team.

Aparajita Mohanty

ADVISORY BOARD, DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, VOLUNTEER

Aparajita Mohanty had never volunteered before but had a desire to find just the right opportunity to give back. Her own life experiences had shown her how important it is to have support during challenging times. Aparajita was a supporter of Prevent-Heal-Thrive events and the more she learned about the mission of how Prevent-Heal-Thrive helps to provide healing and empowering services, she felt she had found her place to volunteer. A place to truly make a difference by making use of her talents. We couldn’t be happier to have her join our team. Together, we continue to grow and serve.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

PRIMARY BENEFACTORS, SPONSORS & ADVISORS

Elisse Rosen Benefactor, Governance Advisor

Elizabeth Courtney Blake, Benefactor,

Ovarian Cancer Peer Mentor

Laura Petit Benefactor, Physical Therapy Advisor

Scott Bassett & Family, Benefactors

The Annual Michele Bassett Soccer Tournament

Sponsor, Benefactor

Andrew Pollak, LMFT

ADVISORY BOARD, PREFERRED PROVIDER, VOLUNTEER

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of P.T.S.D., consult for clients and family members, Male Cancer Thriver Support Group Facilitator, Event Committee

VOLUNTEERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Robin Ryan- Event Committee,

Volunteer Bookeeper

Patti Litevich-Event Speaker,

Colorectal Cancer Thriver

Laurie Campbell,_Event Committee

Robin Gibson-Event Committee

Lynn Stoddard-Event Committee

Linda Heller- Benefactor, Event Commitee

SERVICE PARTNERS INCLUDE:

Healing Therapies Thru Sharing

The Sage Place

Niantic Acupucture and Family Wellness

Essential Skincare

Andrea Pollak LMFT

Andrew Pollak LMFT