A foundation where donations stay local.
Fall 2015 Newsletter
Gymdogs Sneak Peak All donations made at the door go to The Cancer Foundation! Join The Cancer Foundation and University of Georgia Gymdogs for a 2016 Sneak Peek on Friday, December 18th at the Suzanne Yoculan Gymnastics Center! Doors open at 6:30, event starts at 7:00 PM.
Why We Donate “Em’s Kitchen & Hawthorne Drugs proudly sponsor The Cancer Foundation in celebration of all the people and families who benefit from their work in our community. Without the Cancer Foundation, so many people would not be able to afford their medical care. We look forward to the Triathlon every year because it’s such an important fundraiser for the Foundation’s mission. We enjoy helping in any way that we can!”
– Emily Ullrich, Em’s Kitchen
The Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia will be the beneficiary of approximately $5,100 raised at the Oct. 1 Pink Partini Fashion Gala presented by Tanger Outlets and Northridge Medical Center.
T
he fashion gala and silent auction, held during Tanger Outlets’ month-long “The Power of Pink” celebration, “exceeded the expectations with the crowd filling the Jefferson Civic Center with guests eager to take part in the social interaction and come together for a good cause,” said Tricia Massey, director of outreach for Northridge Medical Center. There was a great mix of people attending to enjoy Beef O’Brady’s heavy hors d’ouerves and designer cocktails in
keeping with the pink theme symbolizing breast cancer awareness. They also got a look at fall fashions available at Tanger Outlets stores. The fashion gala was made more special as five local ladies who have faced cancer took to the runway to show off their style. The special models received several standing ovations from the crowd and Mark Valentine of Tanger Outlets presented each with a bouquet of pink roses at the conclusion of the event.
How Two Friends from Med School Created the Cancer Foundation Dr. Mark Vrana and Dr. Glen Wiggans met at Cornell University Medical School and became good friends. Their careers brought them both to Athens where Mark was the first oncologist in North Georgia outside of the Atlanta area. In 2008, they formed the Cancer Foundation. We sat down with them to find out where they want to take the Foundation.
Oncologist Dr. Glen Wiggans (far left) and Dr. Mark Vrana (far right) started the Cancer Foundation seven years ago. Friends since Medical School, they are pictured here on a trip out west with Dr. Jeffrey Urman (in yellow jacket).
1) How long have you been an oncologist in Athens?
2) What inspired you to create the Cancer Foundation?
Vrana: “Thirty-four years. I came here from Eugene, Oregon (originally
Wiggans: “It’s a known fact that cancer treatment can create serious financial toxicity for patients and caregivers. At our offices, we could see that we were helping people medically, but many were suffering from the financial strain – even electing to skip treatment in some cases. We were able to get the Foundation started in 2008 – but it was just baby steps at first.”
from Ithaca, NY) looking for a job. A friend at Emory University told me about this opportunity at Athens Regional Medical Center. I knew nothing about the South at the time, but we immediately loved it here. I started in the basement of Athens Regional with only two exam rooms, and, at that time, was the only oncologist in north Georgia who was not located in Atlanta. Back then, I believe we had maybe 15 different drugs to treat cancer. Now we have well over 300. Both cancer medication and cancer treatment have improved dramatically during my career.”
Wiggans: “I was an oncologist here for 25 years, though I am now retired. Mark recruited me to Athens after he had been here for a few years. He and I had first met in Medical School in Anatomy class when we were “cadaver partners.” At the time he called me about the position, I was practicing oncology in New Haven, CT. My wife and I came here for a visit and it was one of those perfect fall days in Athens. We’ve loved it ever since.”
Vrana: “At our clinic, University Cancer & Blood Center, we continually saw how much of a financial impact cancer treatment had on patients and their families. People were struggling not only with their health, but the stress of the financial burden was often devastating for many of them. For example, people were having to choose between the heating bill and the cost of their treatment. Or, if they lived in another town, such as Greensboro or Jefferson, just the cost of traveling this far so many times a week would become a burden.”
3) What are you most proud of about the Foundation to-date? Wiggans: “The way that it has expanded and that we have been able to help so many people in the community already. I am also very proud of the fact that University Cancer & Blood Center has been such a huge supporter from the beginning.”
Vrana: “I agree with Glen and I’ll add that by next year the foundation will have provided more than $1 million in financial support to people in their service area. That’s something I am very proud of – and that happened in only seven years. I’m also proud of the fact that all of this is happening through local support – our community has worked together to help others within our community. The foundation is enabling people to help friends and neighbors get through tough times.”
we knew that would be a challenge - but we’ve found it is a constant challenge. I think our future challenges will also involve how we expand our services into other areas.”
Vrana: “Gaining visibility and recognition in the community for what the foundation does. It’s been difficult to reach the people that need support so that they know the foundation is there to help. And its been difficult letting the community know that they can help others through the foundation.”
5) What do you see as the ultimate goal for the Foundation? Vrana: “I’d love to see this go state-wide, and then, ultimately, go
4) What have been the biggest challenges or frustrations about getting the Foundation going?
national. So far it has proven to be a great way for communities to help each other - keeping the money local to help their friends and neighbors. As far as we know there is only one other foundation that is similar and it is in Colorado. Of course, that’s all down the road - but we see the need and we see how much it helps.”
Wiggans: “The most frustrating thing is how difficult it’s been to inform
Wiggans: “I’d love to see us service the entire state of Georgia - and
the population that needs our help that we are here to help. Realistically,
then take it nationwide.”
Patient Profile Athens and was contacted by Athens Regional Health System social worker, Lisa Riley, about their need for financial assistance to help complete Idonia’s treatment. Since applying and being approved for assistance, Shirley said her mother “has not missed a single appointment and some of her tumors have even shrunk. We were struggling and The Cancer Foundation stepped up to help my mother get to treatment. You are helping the less fortunate.” Idonia is deaf and Shirley has carefully handled all appointments, checkups, and medications for the past year for her mother. “After talking with Stacey at The Cancer Foundation I realized that we are not alone. You are truly here to help.” To The Cancer Foundation’s donors, Shirley says, “You are making a difference in someone’s life this way. My mother is the sweetest soul, our family backbone, and would quite literally give you the shirt off her back.”
IDONIA DERRICO
I
donia Derrico was diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma on October 22, 2014, after a flu shot injection site became painful with no relief. After a biopsy by Dr. Claude Sportes in Augusta, her cancer diagnosis was confirmed. He recommended an intensive and financially exhaustive treatment regimen of radiation and chemotherapy. Idonia’s daughter, Shirley Fortson, decided to have some of her mother’s treatments in
“After talking with Stacey at The Cancer Foundation I realized that we are not alone. You are truly here to help. You are making a difference in someone’s life this way.” Without The Cancer Foundation, Shirley says this past year would have looked very different. “If not for you I would have had to pick up more shifts from work which would mean my mother would have missed treatment. Because of you, she was at every appointment.”
Thank You to Our Donors July- September Donations: In honor of Sonia Beal Lily and Oliver Beal In memory of R. Edward Brown, Jr. William and Martha Givan In memory of Nancy Bruce Martin and Sharon Bauer Richard Bruce Ruby Fuller In memory of Juanita Dooley Mary and Aubrey Garrison Wilbur and Susan Mull In honor of George Dougherty John Workman and Jeannine Collins Aubrey and Katherine Finch In honor of Lincoln Gray Zielinski and Barbara Hollis Fisher Sylvia Zielinski In honor of Mike Graham Nancy Graham In memory of Jacob Hollis Deborah Durand In memory of Gail Lester Mary and Aubrey Garrison Cynthia and Wayne Lester Wilbur and Susan Mull David and Julianne Phlegar
In memory of Barry Mobley Judy Adams The Adsmith Teresa and Gary Bradley Ben and Carolyn Briscoe Bethlehem Floor Supply Linda Chandler and Lou Cabe Sue Crowe Janice Fairburn Ryan and Kimberly Liebowitz Ronny and Penny Maxwell John and Jackie Palmer Terry and Emily Phillips Timothy and Gina Powell John and Terri Reeck Avanelle Shepherd Andy and Debbie Ullrich University Cancer & Blood Center Albert and Margie Ward Glen and Marlo Wiggans Alan and Laci Zielinski In memory of Carol S. Nobles Claire Swann In memory of Mary Ann Okrasinski Jane Okrasinski In honor of Rebecca Peppers Angela Young In memory of Carol Pulcifer Leslie McDaniel In memory of David Seymour Jack Seymour
In honor of Dr. Brian Mitchell and Dr. Cynthia Shepherd James and Carole Ford In honor of Robert Skelton Carol Blackwell All UCBC and TCF Staff Augustus and Patricia Ayers In memory of Curtis E. Tate Mary Tate
General Donations
Lewis and JoBeth Allen American Legion Auxiliary Sandra Frasqueri Marziyeh Haghighat Robert Jones Steve Kassay Dr. Daniel J. and Beverly King Laura Mallard Lisa Mount Albert and Margie Ward Sylvanus Turner UCBC Mid-Levels and Staff Joel Siebentritt and Carter Vest
Grants
Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation Hart EMC Operation Round Up It’s the Journey Walton EMC Operation Round Up
NON PROFIT
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Tri to Beat Cancer Raises Over $100,000 to Benefit The Cancer Foundation
The Cancer Foundation Unveils New Logo You may have noticed that we have a new logo being used on the masthead of this web site. The new logo was designed by local design and marketing firm, The Adsmith, with input and feedback from the board of The Cancer Foundation. The new logo, evocative of both a heart & flower in appearance, is a vibrant new take on the foundation’s prior logo, and will help further establish the foundation as a top-tier non-profit. Big thanks to the Adsmith for donating their expertise and hard work. We are thrilled about the direction our foundation is taking.