A foundation where donations stay local.
Patient Profile: Lori Baker
“W
hen a person has cancer, the journey is not just for the patient but for the entire family. I was blessed to have a family that supported me and helped me kick Breast Cancer to the curb!” says TCF patient Lori Baker. As a wife, a mother of four and a paraprofessional in Oglethorpe County Schools, Lori was used to juggling a lot at one time. Following her diagnosis in July 2019, Lori was determined to face cancer boldly. A friend provided matching T-shirts with the phrase “Cancer messed with the wrong family” which became the family motto as Lori endured many months of treatment. While there were moments she and husband Hank worried about mounting bills, they were relieved to learn from an oncology social worker that they could apply for help through The Cancer Foundation.
Fall 2020 Newsletter
“My family was able to focus on ‘Our Journey’ because of support from The Cancer Foundation.”
~ Lori Baker
“The Cancer Foundation made our holidays less stressful and more enjoyable by supporting us in various ways. The Cancer Foundation was there when we needed financial support. We, as a family, were encouraged by this wonderful foundation. My family was able to focus on “Our Journey” because of support from The Cancer Foundation,” said Lori.
Referring Professional Profile: Kim Wasley, LCSW The Cancer Foundation works with over 30 health care providers in our region to provide financial assistance to cancer patients in need. One healthcare hero we love to work with is Kim Wasley, a social worker at University Cancer and Blood Center. Kim encounters patients in financial need on a daily basis. “I see first-hand how difficult it can be for patients to pay for unexpected medical bills while continuing to try to support themselves and their families. Basic necessities like housing costs, utility bills, and even transportation costs can become a significant source of stress during an already challenging time. Lori is one of those patients. With help from The Cancer Foundation, Lori was able to access her much needed cancer treatments. The Cancer Foundation is always prepared to step in and help alleviate some of the financial burden, so the patient and their family can focus on treatment and medical care. I am so grateful to have TCF as a resource!”
TCF Board of Directors & Staff
Letter from Gabby Dukes, TCF Assistant Director
Board of Directors Jag Gholson President
Hi Friends,
Joel Gregory Vice President
Laura has banned me from using the words “pivot” and “unprecedented” in this letter so... where to even begin?
Cindy Lester Secretary Buster Royals Treasurer Mercer Treadwell Executive Board Member Steve Everett Mark Hodge Floretta Johnson Erika Lane Fran Lane Libby McKinney Cynthia Mercer, MD Cynthia Shepherd, MD Kirk Smith Elizabeth Townley Grant Tribble Alan Zielinski
Staff Laura Lowery Executive Director llowery@cfnega.org Gabby Dukes Assistant Director gdukes@cfnega.org Katrina Moody, MSW Program Manager kmoody@cfnega.org
Phone 706-353-4354
2020 has been a challenging year and, much like cancer, there isn’t much that the pandemic has not impacted. However, over at The Cancer Foundation, we have refused to let the pandemic impact our hope.
We believe that the greatest gift you can give to a cancer patient and their family who are struggling financially is hope. We have hope that a mortgage payment paid will help a cancer patient focus on their treatment and healing. We have hope that our expansion into Jasper, Lumpkin, Rabun, Towns, Union and White counties will bring much needed financial resources to even more patients. We have hope that our community will continue to come together to meet the needs of cancer patients so that we never have to turn an eligible patient away. As this year comes to a close, we want to say, “THANK YOU!” Donors like you have kept our hope alive this year! With gratitude,
Gabby Dukes
FOR THE SCRAPBOOK
Virtual Tri to Beat Cancer 2020 The Cancer Foundation held our virtual Tri to Beat Cancer 2020 throughout the month of August- participants could sign up and submit their times online after completing the triathlon events on their own. TCF hosted a drive thru pick up event for all who participated on Friday, September 25th. Participants were able to pick up their Tri t-shirt, medal and enjoy sweet treats from Lil Ice Cream Dude. Thank you to all who supported the eleventh annual (virtual) Tri to Beat Cancer!
FOR THE SCRAPBOOK
Bruster’s Percentage Night Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in Athens hosted a percentage night for The Cancer Foundation on Thursday, August 27th. We were grateful for an excuse to enjoy ice cream! Thank you to everyone in our community who came out to support a local business and charity- we appreciate you!
FOR THE SCRAPBOOK
TCF Happenings
Athens Area Community Foundation
Virtual Board Meeting
Justin Arthur
Briscoe Family Foundation at AACF
October Oncology Fair
Help Cancer Patients in Need this Holiday Season
Make home a comfortable place to be for patients facing cancer treatment. Gifts to TCF will be used to help with housing, utilities, transportation, medication and more! Help The Cancer Foundation finish 2020 strong.
Lori Baker (far right) and her family.
CARES Act Encourages Philanthropy in 2020 Did you know that the CARES Act, passed in March 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, made changes to the deductibility of charitable gifts on 2020 income tax returns for both itemizers and non-itemizers? For charitable contributions of cash made to qualifying organizations during the 2020 calendar year, itemizers may deduct up to 100 percent of their 2020 adjusted gross income, up from 60 percent in 2019. Non-itemizers may deduct up to $300 ($600 for married taxpayers filing jointly) for cash gifts to a qualifying charitable organization as an “above-the-line� deduction. Please consult your tax advisor on how these changes may affect you.
Do you know a cancer patient in need? Email help@cfnega.org for more information!
P.O. Box 49309 | Athens, GA 30604