Stefanie King: Coming Full Circle

When Stefanie King found a beautifully decorated box on her doorstep in 2016, she had no idea that one day she would help lead the very ministry that had brought her hope during a difficult season of life.

At 27, Stefanie was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Living in Clive, Iowa, she was navigating daily radiation treatments and facing an uncertain future. Like so many loved ones do after a cancer diagnosis, her mother searched for ways to provide encouragement. That’s when she discovered Phil’s Friends.

After reading founder Phil Zielke’s own story of surviving Stage IV cancer as a young adult and witnessing his unwavering trust in God’s plan, Stefanie’s mother knew she’d found a source of hope for her daughter.

“I was surprised to find a beautifully decorated package addressed to me,” Stefanie, now 39, recalled. “There wasn’t a sender’s name, so I had no idea who it was from. My mom was standing there smiling, but I didn’t connect the dots!

Inside were practical comforts: a soft blanket, fuzzy socks, lotion, tissues, lip balm. But it was the spiritual encouragement that spoke most deeply to her heart. “The Bible and the signed card stood out right away,” she said. “The blanket and fuzzy socks brought comfort, but God’s Word brought true peace during a time of so much uncertainty. I remember feeling completely surrounded by love and encouragement.”

Every item communicated something powerful to Stefanie. “Even the smallest things reminded me that someone who had walked this road before had thoughtfully put this package together. I felt the love from every person who had prayed over my Care Package and signed that card,” she said.

The encouragement didn’t stop with the Care Package. For the next twelve months, Stefanie received Cards of Hope in her mailbox. “Receiving a card each month became something I looked forward to,” she said. “I was always amazed at how many different people—from children to seniors—were praying for me.”

She still treasures the very first card she received in 2016. “The message inside was so kind and encouraging that I’ve kept it all these years.”

While doctors cared for her physical needs, Stefanie said Phils Friends ministered to her heart. “Receiving support from Phil’s Friends was completely different than the support I received from healthcare providers or medically based support groups,” she said. “Christ-centered support heals in a way that medicine cannot.”

It was during this most difficult season of her life that Stefanie said she found a renewed perspective. “I was reminded that the trials we face are meant to draw us nearer to God, not break us. I’ve always appreciated that, although Phil and so many others have incredible stories, the focus remains squarely on glorifying God—not ourselves.”

While Stefanie anticipated a long road ahead filled with treatments and pain, she was taken by surprise by intense feelings of isolation. “As a young person fighting cancer, there were many times I felt completely out of step with my peers,” she said. “My life looked so different from most people my age.”

But Phil’s Friends helped change that, she said. “You often hear people say, ‘No one fights alone.’ That saying is genuinely lived out through this ministry.”

After completing treatment and regaining her health, Stefanie was inspired to help others experience the same hope she’d received. She attended an event at the Hope Center in Roselle, IL, where she met Phil and discussed ways she could support the ministry from Iowa. She also met other Care Package recipients there. “For the first time, I felt surrounded by people who truly understood. I was inspired by recipients who were giving back—some still receiving treatment, others in remission, and others years removed from cancer.”

Over the years, she hosted a fundraiser in Des Moines, won a local parade float contest with a truck decorated to resemble a giant Care Package, and represented Phil’s Friends at two Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) events across Iowa.

As her professional responsibilities grew as the Director and later Vice President of Operations for a nonprofit hospital in Iowa, Phil’s Friends remained close to her heart. Then came an unexpected opportunity in 2026. “Phil expressed the need for operational support within the ministry,” Stefanie said. “I knew I needed to trust God.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 became more than her favorite Bible verse; it became the foundation for her next step with Phil’s Friends. “If it was God’s will for me to join the organization, He would make straight the path.”

He did.

Stefanie now serves as the organization’s Senior Manager of Operations, overseeing organizational workflows and supporting the ministry’s growing network of Hope Centers. Her goal for the organization is simple. “I want to make sure we’re using our treasures and talents to their fullest potential as we continue to grow and serve more cancer patients.”

Her professional background uniquely prepared her for the role. She understands not only healthcare systems but also the importance of stewarding every resource wisely. “My background has shown me the emotional impact a diagnosis has on patients and families,” she said. “I want to use those experiences in a way that honors God and supports the mission of Phil’s Friends. I’m now able to serve full time in the ministry that once served me. It truly feels like I’ve come full circle.”

Being a former recipient shapes everything Stefanie does. “Every time I meet another recipient or one of their loved ones, I’m immediately taken back to that season of my own life.” She remembers the compassion that was extended to her and strives to offer that same kindness to others. “When we receive messages, letters, or videos from recipients or their families, whoever gets it immediately shares it with the whole team. It’s absolutely the highlight of my day.”

For Stefanie, the ministry’s impact extends far beyond the Care Packages and Cards of Hope. “It’s about delivering the hope of Jesus during a time that can otherwise feel very hopeless.”

As a fellow volunteer once reminded her, “Every Care Package is a Gospel opportunity.”

Looking back on her own journey, Stefanie has a simple message for anyone facing a new cancer diagnosis. “Draw nearer to God. Don’t lean on your own understanding or your preconceived ideas about this disease. He is the Author of your story. He knows the ending.”

And for those wondering how they can help, her advice is equally simple. “Give joyfully and start wherever you’re at.” Whether it’s coloring Cards of Hope (free templates are available at philsfriends.org), volunteering a few hours at a Hope Center, hosting a fundraiser, or inviting a church or business to get involved, every act of kindness makes a difference.

“It’s a fun ministry,” Stefanie said. “There’s room for everyone.”

For Stefanie, one unexpected package delivered to her doorstep nearly a decade ago became far more than a box of comforting items. It became the beginning of a journey that continues today, marked by God’s faithfulness, the power of Christian community, and the opportunity to bring Christ-centered hope to those who need it most.