Caring for cancer patients

Steve and Karen Chubon

New mental health services offered for cancer patients thanks to donor support

In addition to the physical and medical challenges experienced by patients, a cancer diagnosis brings many strong emotions. For some, this emotional upheaval and stress can progress further, with nearly one in four cancer patients experiencing depression. That is why it is critical for patients to have access to increased emotional support resources.

The Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC) at French Hospital has long offered support groups and patient navigation services, but a gap in mental health services for cancer patients still existed until recently. Thanks to longtime HCRC supporters Steve and Karen Chubon, the HCRC is now filling that gap with the addition of a dedicated Social Worker. The new HCRC Social Worker has the expertise needed to better support each patient’s emotional and mental health concerns, connecting them with the resources that will benefit them most. As a volunteer at the HCRC, Karen has seen firsthand the emotional distress that cancer patients experience. Karen and Steve were also impacted by Karen’s mother’s cancer journey, which originally inspired their involvement with the HCRC.

“I saw the emotional impact cancer had on my mother and also saw her initial hesitation to attend support groups over concern of how it looked to others,” says Karen. “But once she joined one, she saw the tremendous benefits.”

“Everyone thinks about the physical implications of a cancer diagnosis, but there is a tremendous emotional turmoil as well,” says Steve. “By enhancing mental health services, the HCRC will be able to help connect cancer patients with more of the resources they need in one place.”

By helping to make mental health services more easily accessible, the Chubons hope that more HCRC patients will get the additional emotional support they need.

Share Hope: Supporting the Hearst Cancer Resource Center with a virtual fundraising event

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the way that many things were done in our lives and nonprofit events were similarly impacted. While the Foundation has been unable to hold our traditional in-person fundraising events for 2020 and 2021, we pivoted to create something new in response to these unprecedented times.

Recognizing that cancer patients are facing a cancer journey that is even more challenging due to the pandemic, the Foundation hosted Share Hope, a virtual fundraising event benefiting the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC).

Held in October 2020, the month-long fundraiser utilized a peer-to-peer fundraising website, allowing teams and individuals to raise funds for the HCRC and for individuals to contribute to the fundraiser. The event was also supported by Event Sponsor Pacific Premier Bank and other sponsors, including Layton Construction and Cuningham Group Architecture, Films for Good and KSBY.

With 22 fundraisers and 287 donors participating, the inaugural Share Hope raised more than $102,000 to support the HCRC, which offers all programs and services free of charge to cancer patients and their families.

Thank you to our 2020 Share Hope sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Pacific Premier Bank

Supporting Sponsors

Cuningham Group Architecture

Films for Good

Layton Construction Company

Media Sponsor

KSBY

Contributors

Hearst Ranch Winery

Supporters

Alex Trebek*

Dawn & Jim Locklear

Deanne LeMoine-McEwen

Jack & Ronnie Joy Krasner

Makenzie Blodgett

Steve Hearst

Tom Vendegna, MD

Fundraisers & Teams

Beverly Kirkhart

Christine Williams

Deanne LeMoine-McEwen

Dennis Parks, Ed.D

The DMS Team

Dogs for HCRC

FHMC Foundation Board and Staff

Films for Good

Flora Washburn

Gloria Caine

Jackie Starr

Jana Mooney

LAMS Yearbook Class

Morris & Garritano Insurance

The Radiant Tribe

RRM Design Group

Sandy Dunn

Sara Holloway

Steve Hilty, MD

Surfing for Hope Foundation

Susan Minker, MD

Tom Lebens

*deceased