A foundation where donations stay local.
Fall 2021 Newsletter
Remembering Mary Wright Donnan
M
ary Wright Donnan was the wife of Hall of Fame college football coach Jim Donnan. She died in June at the age of 77 after a long battle with lung cancer.
Mrs. Donnan, as so many knew her, also was a mother,
grandmother, sister and friend. Her obituary tells us that, like her husband, she was an “avid tennis player” and “loved to sing and dance, and enjoyed painting.” But, more than that, she was the glue that kept the Donnan clan together, even as they found themselves spread across the country from the years of the hopscotching that comes for families of football coaches.
Between children and grandchildren, they literally span the United
States, from Los Angeles to Norman, Okla., to Columbia, S.C.That’s what happens when your job takes you to eight states in 31 years, as Jim Donnan’s did.
Mary Donnan stood as the constant among those ever-changing
backdrops.
“She was a special lady who loved her family
“She was a special lady who loved her family and was truly
and was truly dedicated to providing everyone
dedicated to providing everyone in it with her devotion and support,” Jim Donnan said. “Mary was a mom to many of my players over the
in it with her devotion and support.”
years, and to a lot of my kids’ and my grandkids’ friends.”
~ Jim Donnan
The Donnans’ love story began in Burlington, N.C., where they
were high school sweethearts. It ended in Athens after 60 years of marriage. Athens was, of course, Jim Donnan’s last stop in the
vagabond vocation that is coaching college football.
memorials gifts, Jim Donnan explains, “From the day my wife Mary
was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer until 4 ½ years later when
While Mary was caretaker of the family all those years, it was Jim
When asked why the family chose TCF as the recipient of
Donnan who was the nurturer the past several years as the ravages
she passed away, UCBC provided her with the care and treatment she
of cancer and COVID-19 took their toll on his wife’s health. He did
needed to have a chance to live.
not enlist help. Instead he remained there by her side daily, fetching
whatever she needed and making sure she was comfortable.
memory was to ask our friends to support The Cancer Foundation
which is an outstanding service to so many through UCBC.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to
The Donnan family felt like the best way to perpetuate her
The Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 49303, Athens, GA 30604 or online at www.cfnega.org.
Since 2009, over $380,000 have been received by TCF in honor or memory of loved ones. For more information on memorial giving to
Reprinted with permission by Chip Towers and the Atlanta Journal Constitution; edited for length.
TCF, visit our website at www.cfnega.org/memorials
TCF Board of Directors & Staff
Because the cost of cancer is too high
Board of Directors Joel Gregory President Mercer Treadwell Vice President
Joel Gregory, TCF’s new Board President, takes on this key leadership role at a critical time.
Cindy Lester Secretary Lisa Rawls Treasurer Cynthia Mercer, MD Executive Board Member Jag Gholson Past President Steve Everett Mark Hodge Floretta Johnson Erika Lane Fran Lane Libby McKinney Cynthia Shepherd, MD Kirk Smith 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 Lauren Clouatre Operations Manager lclouatre@cfnega.org
Phone & Address 706-353-4354 PO Box 49309 Athens, GA 30604
www.cfnega.org
The lessons cancer teaches us are brutal but priceless. In my case, I helped care for my mom while she battled cancer. Even with the resources she had, the fight was challenging for all of us. After losing her, I wanted to do what I could to help others. Anyone who has endured this understands that the burden of cancer is just too high…on the patient, on the family, on our community. Through The Cancer Foundation, I find new hope as I push back against this relentless disease. ---- I have two main goals: increase our reach so that no family struggles in silence and ensure sufficient resources are available when a family seeks our help. ----Every day, a new family gets the bad news of a cancer diagnosis causing them extreme stress mentally, physically, and financially. Through our network of referring providers, many families also learn about TCF, an organization that has been preparing long before that moment to support and encourage them. As 2020 came to a close, TCF celebrated new milestones and set our sights on even greater challenges in 2021. As Board President, I have two main goals: increase our reach so that no family struggles in silence and ensure sufficient resources are available when a family seeks our help. Our dedicated Board and staff will do all we can for cancer patients in financial need in our community. I welcome you to join us and support the cancer community in northeast Georgia through the work of The Cancer Foundation. With appreciation, Joel Gregory
Welcome Lauren Clouatre Lauren Clouatre started full-time at TCF in June 2021 as the new Operations Manager. Lauren’s primary role is to help coordinate and manage the foundation’s financial reporting and bookkeeping to ensure the foundation runs smoothly. Lauren was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Social work in 2013 and went on to earn a Master of Social Work with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management in 2014. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and exploring nature.
2020 Impact Report As the world ground to a halt in March 2020, TCF stepped into a higher gear. With the support of our many committed donors, sponsors, volunteers and staff, we never lost one day of service to patients in need! We ended the year having cut over 1,800 checks to landlords, utility companies, pharmacies and medical providers so our patients could maintain their homes and stick to their treatment programs.
438,684
712
$
cancer patients served in 2020
of assistance given in 2020
2020 Income Breakdown:
Top 5 Counties Served in 2020: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Top 5 Cancer Types Served in 2020:
38% 34% 21% 4% 3%
Clarke Walton Jackson Elbert Newton
Individual Donations Events Foundation Corporations In-Kind Support
$782,304 RAISED! &
breast
lung
colon
prostate
head/neck
Top 3 Patient Requests in 2020:
TRANSPORTATION
37%
HOUSING
29%
UTILITIES
cervical/ ovarian/ uterine
22%
Grant Spotlight: It’s the Journey, Inc. The Cancer Foundation has been the recipient of several grants from It’s the Journey, Inc. exclusively to benefit our breast cancer patients. ITJ produces the Georgia 2 Day Walk annually to raise funds to support breast cancer awareness, screenings, patient assistance and research. Since 2014, TCF has received $160,000 in grants from ITJ specifically targeted to help breast cancer patients in northeast Georgia with housing, utilities, and transportation needs while in treatment. Thank you to It’s the Journey, Inc. and the many walkers who participate in their 2 Day Walk that make this possible!
Rozetta Griffeth and her family GO PINK in honor of her battle with breast cancer!
2020: Year at a Glance
2020 Board Annual Planning Meeting
2020 Cocktails Event
2020 Cocktails Event
AACF/Briscoe Family Foundation: Mercer Treadwell, Laura Lowery, Ileana Dixon, Matt Dixon, Tracie Dixon Hedges, Kipper Koslowky
Wheels of Hope, TCF and Georgia Cancer Specialists Mask Up!
October 2020 Oncology Fair
Bruster’s Percentage Night
2020 Virtual Tri to Beat Cancer
Interview with Dr. Cynthia Shepherd, Medical Oncologist Dr. Cynthia Shepherd, medical oncologist at UCBC and Cancer Foundation Board Member shared a little Q&A time with fellow Foundation board member, Kirk Smith. In late 2013, Kirk was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and is still undergoing treatment today. His oncologist during this entire time has been Dr. Shepherd. “Cynthia is the absolute best.” states Kirk. “Serving with her on the Foundation board is a real highlight. We are able to bring our two perspectives together – doctor and patient – to help others facing this disease. I think we make a really good team.”
Kirk: What inspired you to make Oncology your career? Dr. Shepherd: It all started with my first Internal Medicine rotation as a 3rd year medical student. I started on inpatient Oncology/ Hematology. My first patient was an elementary school teacher which we diagnosed with acute leukemia and she started intensive chemotherapy. I had her as a patient the entire rotation month and got to know her and her family very well. I not only enjoyed really getting to know my patient and her family, but also dealing with a wide variety of medical aspects during her inpatient stay — from infectious diseases to psychiatry to bread and butter internal medicine and, of course, malignant hematology. Kirk: During your time in the field of Oncology, what are the most impactful developments you’ve seen in treatment? Dr. Shepherd: Definitely tumor molecular testing and the ability to now offer personalized cancer care instead of just one size fits all chemotherapy. Kirk: And how have those impacted costs for the patient? (if they have) Personal example: 8-10 yrs ago Stage 4 lung cancer patients only lived a few years on average - now living longer but not “cured.” Which means treatment continues much longer and with that extended treatment come the associated costs.
Kirk: What is the most rewarding part? What keeps you showing up every day? Dr. Shepherd: Patients like you.…Seriously, the relationships, the unbelievable success stories and the amazing expansion of treatment options because of research and clinical trials. Kirk: How did you come to serve on the Cancer Foundation board of directors? And why do you serve? Dr. Shepherd: Honestly, my mom. She felt very strongly that an oncologist needed to be on the board. When Dr. (Glen) Wiggans completed his term, she mentioned it to me (over and over). I serve to help shed a light on what patients are facing and how the system works so we are better be able to reach those in need. Kirk: What do you see as the biggest challenge(s) for the Foundation? Dr. Shepherd: The biggest challenge is getting the word out to more people in the community that the Cancer Foundation even exists.
Dr. Shepherd: Targeted therapy options definitely cost more than standard chemotherapy. Targeted therapies also tend to be oral and, therefore, puts some Medicare patients in the donut hole, making them choose between their cancer care vs their anti-hypertensive or statin. And, yes, patients are thankfully living longer as we turn cancer into a chronic disease. This can be costly over time. Kirk: What do you find to be the most challenging part of your job? Dr. Shepherd: I would have to say the most challenging part of my job in oncology still has to be the disparity in healthcare regarding the knowledge and ability to receive regular screenings (when available) and regular Primary Care Physician visits. I still see many cancer patients diagnosed in very late stage of disease. The COVID pandemic amplified this even more as people already skeptical of healthcare, stayed away even longer.
Dr. Shepherd discusses cancer treatment with lung cancer patient Kirk Smith.
The Cancer Foundation 2020 Donors
The Legacy Society
The Impact Society
Diane and Dan Davis In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg Suzanne and Don Leebern In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg The Tolbert-Wallace Endowment Jessica Wallace Tolbert and James Wallace Dr. and Mrs. Glen Wiggans In memory of Michael Wall In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. Donation from the Wiggans Family Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Athens Area Cancer Auxiliary Georgia Crown Distributing Company It’s The Journey, Inc. The Luther & Susie Harrison Foundation The Jack Tarver Family Foundation Turner Family Foundation University Cancer & Blood Center Walton County Health Care Foundation
Susan and John Barrett Lisa and Mark Christopherson Gisela and Hal Hodgson Melanie and Steve Hollis In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. Corrine Kupris and Joe Irving Donation from the Irving Family Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Cable East Emmanuel Episcopal Church Hughes Subaru Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation The Ramon C. and Amanda H. Thompson Family Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation In honor of Marlo and Glen Wiggans In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr.
Recognizes donors whose cumulative lifetime gifts total $100,000
Recognizes donors who contribute $10,000 - $99,999 annually
If you believe your name was omitted in error, please contact Gabby Dukes at gdukes@cfnega.org.
The Leaders Society
Recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 - $9,999 annually Glenn Alex, DMD Sarah and Russell Bennett Cathy and Kevin Bente In honor of Kevin Bente Kelley Blanton In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg Susan Boatright In honor of Butch and Janie Bush Josh Bohanan In memory of David Bohanan Sandra Bostelman In honor of Dianne Wall and family Paul Boumbulian Donation from the Paul Boumbulian Social Entrepreneur Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Tony Britt In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Brooks In memory of Janey Orr Welch Charles Bryant In honor of Dr. Petros Nikolinakos Angela Bush and Mike Bush Susan Dougherty In honor of Julie Meehan and Richard Lynch In memory of Patrick F. Sigur, Sr. In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. George Faulkner In honor of George Faulkner Janet and Tim Field In honor of Dr. Cynthia Shepherd Phyllis and David Field In memory of Shirley Ann Kennedy Becky and Eric Fletcher Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Flynt Kay and Stuart Fors In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. Mara Franklin In honor of GP Dillard Chris and Jag Gholson In memory of Randy Quintrell Loretta and Richard Goodson Ashley and Chase Gunter Donation from the Ashley Gunter Endowment Fund at Fidelity Charitable Mrs. Tommie Hall In honor of Dr. Nikolinakos In memory of James Davis Hall Carolyn and James Hansen Richard Holland
Martee and Foy Horne Keren Hymo Thomas Ihde Donald Jackson In memory of John Potts Thomas Kaminski Mary and David Kissel In honor of Dr. Chang Erika and Ricky Lane Katie and Jason Lawson Cindy and Wayne Lester Donation from the Cindy and Wayne Lester Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Jeannie and Craig Linkous In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. Laura and Harris Lowery Lee Malcom In memory of Kathryn S. Phillips Dr. Aimee Martin and Dr. Kevin Toon In memory of Barbara Toon Kathy and Jerry Maynard Anne and William McDonald Teresa and John McLean Donation from the McLean Family Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Dr. Daniel Measel In memory of Wayne Middendorf Dr. Cindy Mercer and Tommy Rogers Lynn Nagy Dr. Petros Nikolinakos Joyce Odorizzi Jackie Hammersley and Mike Parker Jinx and Gordhan Patel In memory of Ruby Hodgson In honor of Jinx Patel Joann and Tim Penning Donation from the Penning Family Charitable Fund at the American Endowment Foundation Scott Phelan In memory of Jenny Vanden Berg Donation from the Scott Phelan Fund at the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia Suzanne Phillips and Philip Culler Lynn and Wayne Raper Lisa and Ken Rawls Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Retterbush University Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center Harriet Rosa
The Leaders Society (continued)
Recognizes donors who contribute $1,000 - $9,999 annually In memory of Shirley Kennedy Drs. Cynthia and Brad Shepherd Kittye and Dan Slaughter Donation from Slaughter and Slaughter Service Co. In honor of Dr. Frederick Flynt In honor of Whitney Knowlton In honor of Dr. Schoenfeld In honor of the UCBC staff Kathleen Marie Smith Donation from the Give It All Fund at the Cannon Giving Fund Dr. Cherie Snyder In memory of Dr. George Dougherty, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. James Splichal Sharon Stanley In memory of Vicki Rozier Melissa and Mercer Treadwell In honor of Lynn Walker Treadwell In honor of Ann Parrish Ferguson In memory of James Mercer Treadwell, Jr. In memory of James Mercer Treadwell, Sr. Jeffrey Lane Tyson In memory of Rosemary Tyson Dr. and Mrs. Mark Vrana Gene Weeks Donation from The Weeks Family Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Dr. and Mrs. J. Michael West Frank Williams ACC Charity Drive Adsmith Akins Ford Dodge Jeep Chrysler Ram Alice and Noah Langdale Foundation American Legion Auxiliary Athens Area Community Foundation Grant from The COVID-19 Community Response Fund at the Athens Area Community Foundation Athens Christian School Athens Pulmonary Athens Seed Company Atlantic Capital Bank BankSouth Briscoe Family Foundation – Matt Dixon In honor of Ileana Dixon Donation from the Briscoe Family Foundation at the Athens Area Community Foundation Chastain and Associates Classic City Orthodontics Connected Technologies
Federal Emergency Management Agency- Emergency Food & Shelter National Board Program Fintrust Capital Advisors Fortson, Bentley and Griffin Frances Wood Wilson Foundation GA Cable In memory of Michael Wall Garrett Properties In memory of Kathryn Betty Garrett Gastroenterology Associates of Athens Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology Green Properties Management, Inc. Guest Family Foundation Hamilton Agency In honor of Dr. Martha Allen The Harris Foundation Hawthorne Drug Company/ Em’s Kitchen at Hawthorne Drugs Jackson EMC Janssen Pharmaceuticals Kindred Hospice The Kirby Smart Family Foundation Lachenmyer Charitable Fund of the Ayco Charitable Foundation Landmark Properties Liberty First Bank Lois and Lucy Lampkin Foundation McKesson Corporation MGM Products – Libby and Justin White MGM Products – Lynn and Wayne Raper Michael and Martha Everett Charitable Fund In honor of Steve Everett The Newland Family Foundation Northeast Georgia Health System The Nute Family Foundation Oconee State Bank Pfizer Piedmont Athens Regional Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation Stiles Heating and Cooling, Inc. St. Mary’s Health Care System Synovus Thomas H. Pitts Trust Walmart Zaxby’s
Thank you to our
2020 Sponsors!
The Adsmith; Akins Ford Dodge Jeep Chrysler Ram; Athens Area Urology, P.C.; Atlantic Capital Bank; Chastain & Associates Insurance; Classic City Orthodontics; Connected Technologies; Erika and Ricky Lane; Fintrust Capital Advisors; Georgia Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Dermatology; Glenn Alex, DMD; Hamilton Agency; Kindred Hospice; Landmark Properties; Laura and Harris Lowery; Libby and Justin White at MGM Products; Lynn and Wayne Raper at MGM Products; Melissa and Mercer Treadwell; Oconee State Bank; Pfizer; St. Mary’s Hospital; Stiles Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing; University Dermatology and Skin Cancer If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Gabby Dukes at gdukes@cfnega.org.
Referring Partners
Celebrating Our Founding Sponsor: University Cancer & Blood Center This year marks 40 years of service for University Cancer & Blood Center, which began as Hematology and Oncology of Northeast Georgia. Given this long history, TCF would like to highlight the important role this practice has played in ours. To ensure patients were able to afford their care, the practice was the driving force in establishing The Cancer Foundation in 2009, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the financial needs of patients while undergoing treatment. Since then, UCBC has worked tireless alongside the Foundation’s board and staff to since established a highly respected assistance program that has worked with over 4,000 families facing cancer across 25 counties. While TCF has paid thousands of bills on behalf of patients for their housing and other needs, we have never had to pay our own rent, power or phone bill! To this day, TCF keeps our overhead low by calling UCBC our home through their tremendous in-kind support of office space, equipment, office supplies, and more! While we have grown our referring network to over 25 healthcare providers across our region, we consider University Cancer & Blood Center our Founding Sponsor and celebrate their long history of service to the cancer community. Ring that bell, UCBC, on 40 years of care!
Thank you to our Referring Partners Anderson Area Cancer Center AnMed Health Athens Area Urology Atlanta Cancer Care Augusta University Cancer Care Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia Bridgeway Hospice Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Compassionate Care Hospice Emory Healthcare Georgia Cancer Specialists Gwinnett Medical Center Homestead Hospice Kindred Hospice Longstreet Longleaf Hospice Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support
Mercy Health Center Northeast Georgia Medical Center Piedmont Athens Regional Radio Therapy Clinics of Georgia St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital Toccoa Cancer Center University Cancer and Blood Center University Hospital – Augusta GA
Rainy Day Friends When it rains, it pours! From the never-ending appointments to the physical toll of treatment, a cancer diagnosis can feel like a perfect storm. When you add mounting medical bills to this mix for a low or fixed income family, the result is a compromising condition called “financial toxicity.” Until someone steps in to offer them an umbrella long enough for them to take a breath, make a plan, and nurture their hope!
Rainy Day Friends adopt a family in need and provide support at just the right moment. Many patients describe the impossible choices they face: should they pay the power bill? Or the landlord? Should they fill their gas tank to get to their treatment appointments this week or pay the copays for the treatment? These are “either/or” choices for too many of our neighbors facing cancer. Through Rainy Day Friends a donation of $750 sponsors one family in TCF’s Financial Assistance Program for one year. Patients receive help with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, medications, fuel cards and more. Regardless of what assistance a patient needs the most, the Rainy Day Friends offer help when it is needed most.
Teens Raise the Bar Luke Nesbit raised over $1,400 through a weight lifting challenge to honor his mom’s battle with breast cancer. Emory Shepherd donated $1,000 from the sale of her first published novel. Donors like Luke and Emory inspire our work throughout the year!
Luke Nesbit & his mom
Emory Shepherd
Looking to Give Back This Holiday Season? Join TCF’s Home Sweet Home Holiday Campaign! 2021 has been a challenging year for all of us. The financial burden of cancer is an obstacle no patient should face alone. Consider a donation to TCF this winter to help a patient:
• Avoid homelessness • Keep the lights on • Get to treatment
• Buy medications • And more!
To make a donation please visit: www.CFNEGA.org/ways-to-give Or email Gabby Dukes at: gdukes@cfnega.org
Paying It Forward TCF received the following note from a family we recently served along with a financial contribution:
“
It is with great gratitude that I send this donation. Words can not express how my heart feels - you
gave me hope. At that time, hope was all I could hold onto. My husband didn’t know his brain cancer
”
was terminal. He lived every day with a happy heart. Thank you so much for supporting us financially and emotionally. Two years have gone by since I lost my husband, but I will forever be grateful.
Do you know a cancer patient in need? Reach out to The Cancer Foundation at help@cfnega.org!
P.O. Box 49309 | Athens, GA 30604