SUPPORT
CELEBRATE
REMEMBER
SERVING NORTHEAST GEORGIA
Spring 2022 Newsletter
After cancer diagnosis, Emily Hill champions the needs of others with TCF fundraiser The holidays were extra special this year for TCF families thanks to Emily Hill of Commerce, Georgia. As friends and neighbors reached out to support her on her cancer journey, Emily was determined to share that hopeful spirit by directing them to give to The Cancer Foundation.
WELCOME SARAH! In January, TCF welcomed Sarah Austin to the Board of Directors. Sarah has served in many community leadership roles since making Athens her home. Now, she is motivated specifically to aid cancer patients in treatment inspired by the courageous spirit she sees in her mom who is facing breast cancer for a second time. “I am thrilled to provide support for these amazing patients. They will know that The Cancer Foundation has their back every step of the way!” Sarah and husband, Brian, live in Athens with their two daughters but also spend time at their farm in Oglethorpe County. With one foot in the city and one in the country, Sarah appreciates both communities and was eager to serve an organization with a regional impact like TCF. "With cancer, there is no time to waste when someone needs help; whether the family E A Dtreatment M O R E facility, lives near or far fromRtheir our program makes an immediate difference when it is needed the most."
"Joy to the World!!! I am blown away by all the support I received this year and so excited to share that I was able to provide a check for $25,606 to The Cancer Foundation!! Merry Christmas and thank you so so much to everyone who helped make this possible!" Emily happily posted to her many facebook fans. This support helped TCF serve 34 families with housing, transportation and utilities! Thank you, Emily!
The mission of The Cancer Foundation is to help alleviate the financial burden of cancer for eligible patients. Serving 25 counties of northeast Georgia, TCF provides help in the form of financial assistance for housing, utilities, transportation and other critical needs during cancer treatment.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY Applicants must: Reside in the The Cancer Foundation’s 25 county service area
2022 Already a year for the record books...
Have a cancer diagnosis as certified by a healthcare provider and be in active treatment or within a six month period of last cancer treatment, or be admitted to hospice services. Have household income less than or equal to 250% of the 2022 Federal Poverty Levels.
SERVICE AREA Banks Barrow Clarke Elbert Franklin Greene Habersham Hart Jackson Jasper Lumpkin Madison Morgan
Newton Oconee Oglethorpe Putnam Rabun Stephens Taliaferro Towns Union Walton White Wilkes
The Cancer Foundation kicked off the year with three straight months of record breaking applications from patients. We are watching this trend closely to understand what patients are experiencing and to identify possible causes: An increase new diagnoses? The impact of inflation on fuel and food? Rising out of pocket medical costs? Regardless of the reason, in the first three months of 2022, TCF provided more Financial Assistance dollars than in any three month period in the history of our program! Our fundraising will need to grow to meet this increasing need. Based on feedback from patients and referring providers, TCF is lauching a new initiative: Patient Pantry! Pantry! Visit our website to learn more or volunteer. We envision a future when no patient leaves a treatment appointment to arrive home to an empty cupboard! Thank you to our donors and sponsors who enable TCF to serve so many families facing cancer treatment in our community! Our commitment to transparency earned Candid's Platinum rating again for 2022. Our donors should feel confident that we are careful stewards of your generosity. We have never turned an eligible patient away due to lack of funds. With your help, we never will! With appreciation,
Laura Lowery Executive Director llowery@cfnega.org
Remember with Love January, February, and March 2022 Thank you to these families for recently directing gifts of remembrance to The Cancer Foundation. Our deepest sympathies go out to all who will miss these loved ones.
The family of James William "Bill" Herringdine The family of Thomas Young Harris III The family of Keith Dennis Willis The family of Rickey Prince Smith The family of Robert Lee deLoache III The family of Beverly Jean Smith Chandler The family of James Rodney "Rod" Akins
A
special appreciation goes out to Manuel Vargas of Blossoms Wholesale for offering 1,000 red roses to The Cancer Foundation! This unexpected call kickstarted Blooms and Blessings! Board member Lisa Rawls had long wanted to reach out to families facing cancer with flowers and a kind word. "Flowers bring me such joy! I've been where these families are - in a waiting room with a loved one in a cancer crisis. This project is my way of saying, 'you matter, you are cared for, and you will get through this hard time.' " Thank you to Piedmont Athens Regional Auxiliary and volunteers for joining TCF in this effort held on February 18, 2022. Together, over 300 arrangements were assembled and distributed to families at Piedmont Athens Regional, University Cancer & Blood Center, and St. Mary's Hospice House.
You never know when or where we may go next spreading joy and bringing smiles to a family facing cancer! Join our Volunteer List to be notified of opportunities like these by emailing help@cfnega.org.
Many families choose TCF as the designated charity in an obituary for a loved one lost to cancer. Visit our Memorials page at cfnega.org for more information on gifts of remembrance.
& Blessings Blooms
Ju
n
e2
Ce
2 2 0
le
ger! Bell Rin d ie if t r Ce
br
ate
sS
TCF
urv
ivor
M onth
!
Submit a favorite photo for display in our online Celebration Album on Facebook and Instagram
Cindy Broch rings the bell after completing her treatments this past fall. Way to go, Cindy!
The Cancer Foundation invites the community to celebrate survivors all month. Visit our website for giving opportunities and special events honoring our friends and family who have faced cancer with grace and hope!
Make a donation in honor of a friend or family member and send a TCF celebration card with your customized greeting Visit www.cfnega.org for more details!
Do you know a family in need due to the high cost of cancer treatment? Patients need a referral from their health care provider and must meet eligibility requirements. Patients should ask to speak with a social worker or nurse navigator at their treatment facility to start a TCF application. Or, families may contact us directly: phone 706-353-4354 or email help@cfnega.org We provide creditor direct assistance for housing, utilities, transportation, medication copays, medical equipment, health insurance premiums and more!
IN THEIR OWN WORDS PO Box 49309, Athens, GA 30604-9309
It was a wonderful experience. The people involved were so kind and speedy. We just thank God for the help from this wonderful Foundation! Without recieving help, I would have never been able Blood Cancer Patient to go to my appointments White County and be treated. Thank you so much for all the help! God Bless you. We were very thankful to learn about this program. We have decided when we are able, this will be who we donate to.
Breast Cancer Patient Putnam County
Lung Cancer Patient Morgan County
www.cancerfoundationofnega.org
NON PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID ATHENS, GA PERMIT NO. 255