She was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 35. Then, in 2009, she was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, which is a rare type of blood cancer impacting white blood cells in bone marrow.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia was once a death sentence, Elliott said. But after receiving an experimental treatment in 2012, she's been able to stay active in the community more than 10 years later.

Elliott, a former multimedia journalist, manages a support group on social media for more than 10,000 cancer patients. She also fundraises for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

But cancer has been both a financial and health burden for Elliott. As a result of chemotherapy, she has suffered strokes that have impacted her vision. Elliott's bones are also weaker as a result of the cancer impacting her bone marrow, making it more difficult, and sometimes even more dangerous, to do everyday activities.

"I need assistance with walking. I'm dangerous in a kitchen," Elliott said.

How Aster Aging became a lifeline for older adults

But Aster Aging has made some aspects of her life easier. As a result of its Meals on Wheels program, for example, Elliott has food delivered to her door five days a week.

Elliott first started receiving services from Aster Aging in 2020 during the pandemic. She already felt isolated with her cancer and felt further isolated by having a compromised immune system and having to stay away from people.

She happened to see on the news former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announcing the state would allocate $5.3 million to Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to older adults and senior center programs.

Although the pandemic is over, the need for those services remains, said Scott Muller, program operations director at Aster Aging.

Before the pandemic, Aster Aging's Meals on Wheels program would deliver about 10,000 meals every three months. During the pandemic, that number significantly increased to about 30,000. But post-pandemic, that number has only dropped to about 25,000 meals delivered per quarter, Muller said.

But all of the funding that came with the pandemic is tapering off.

In addition to Meals on Wheels, which is partially funded through The Arizona Republic's Season for Sharing campaign, Aster Aging provides a number of different services to seniors, primarily in the East Valley. For example, the two senior centers that Aster Aging operates offer activities that are free or cheap, such as tai chi classes. The senior centers also provide a place where seniors can socialize while getting a meal, with a suggested contribution of $3.25.

There's also a benefits and social services outreach program and a neighborhood program that helps seniors with things like transportation to the grocery store or doctors' appointments. There's even a pet program that provides support for seniors' pets, including pet food and toys.

In 2022, Aster Aging served 6,000 seniors across all of its programs and services. That number increased to 7,500 in 2023.

"We're seeing more people who are in dire straits reaching out, trying to find services. And that aligns with larger state and national trends. Seniors are struggling financially and otherwise right now," said Jacob Newman, communications and development director for Aster Aging.

'That contact with other people really means a lot'

For Elliott, the Meals on Wheels program has allowed her to have interactions that she otherwise might not have had. Because of her compromised immune system, she tends to stay away from social activities offered at the assisted living facility.

"It's been, for me, 15 years. So, to be that isolated and to have somebody that comes to the door five days a week, brings a meal, is friendly ... just to have that contact with other people really means a lot," Elliott said.

Community services offered by organizations like Aster Aging allow Elliott to focus on things like her half-a-million-dollar fundraising campaign for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society -- all because she doesn't need to spend time worrying about where she's going to get her next meal.

"I'm productive, I'm active. I'm making the best of my life in the situation I'm in. But I'm also appreciative of community services that are going to help me be able to that, because without them, I couldn't," Elliott said.

Aster Aging delivers meals to Elliott five days a week. The other days, she tends to have groceries delivered.

Through her work in the community, Elliott said she has found that many people do not know where to find community services. For example, people can register with Aster Aging to receive services like Meals on Wheels through the Area Agency on Aging, which is a national organization.

And those services are what allow Elliott to do the things that she enjoys.

"It enables me to have a better quality of life. Which I think is important, because none of us want to be miserable," Elliott said.

How Season for Sharing is helping older adults

Aster Aging is just one of the groups that received funding from Season for Sharing to help assist older adults.

Here are a few other groups that are making a difference in the state and how Season for Sharing is helping:

How to donate to Season for Sharing

There are several ways you can donate to Season for Sharing and help organizations like Aster Aging continue to help the community.