Formanyyears,DonandSuzannestoodaspillarsofstrengthandsupportfor thisFoundation.Theybelievedthatnooneinourcommunityshouldeverhave to face the crushing burden of cancer alone, especially when financial struggles stand in the way of treatment. Their giving spirit transformed lives, providingthousandsoflocalcancerpatientswiththeessentialsofhope:safe housing,reliabletransportation,groceries,utilities,andthesecurityofknowing thatsomeonecared.
THESTORYBEHINDTHENAME
This giving group brings together an extraordinary group of supporters who, like Don, lead with generosity and compassion. Their commitment provides thestrengthandresourcesneededtoensurecancerpatientsreceivethehelp they need. It carries Don’s vision forward by uniting those who believe, as he did,thatgenerosityhasthepowertoheal.
Members of the Leebern Leadership Society are not just partners in our mission, they set the pace for what is possible. Each of member embodies Don’s spirit of care and service, and carry his vision forward. Because of Don andmembersoftheLeebernLeadershipSocietythegiftofhopecontinuesto shine for patients in need today and for years to come. This commitment continues our work, strengthens Don’s legacy of love, and ensures that hope willalwaysshineforcancerpatientsinneed.
LeebernLeadershipSocietyMembers
MR.DANNYAMOS
MR.&MRS.BOB&MAXINEBURTON
MR.DANDAVIS
MR.BILLGOLDRING
MR.DONLEEBERN,III
DR.JOHNMUSE&MRS.KELLEYBLANTONMUSE
MR.&MRS.SCOTT&DEBBIEMEYERHOFF
MRS.KINSEYPILLSBURY THESHADBURNFAMILY
MR.KESSELD.STELLING,JR.
MR.RICHARDTUCKER
REMEMBER WITH LOVE
WEREMEMBER.WEHONOR.WECONTINUETHEIRIMPACT.
TheCancerFoundationisdeeplyhonoredtobechosenbyfamiliesand friendswhomakegiftsinlovingmemoryofsomeonespecial.Whethernamed inanobituaryorgiveninquietreflection,eachmemorialgifttoTheCancerFoundationis an enduring act of love honoring lives that continue to inspire strength and hope while transformingremembranceintosupportforlocalcancerpatientsinneed.
In Loving Memory
AlanClardy
AlexMassie
AltheaFleming
AnnetteHerndon
Anthony(Tony)Rovolis
ArthurElsmore
BarbaraJohnson
BarbaraP.Smith
BaruchZohar
BernadetteAllard
BettyMauldin
Billie,HelenandJack
BobCunningham
BobPeecher
BobSires
BradGrant
BrendaBlanton
BruceThompson
CharleneMcCullick
CharlesFouche
ClarkScales
ConnieAnnHallCook
ConnieMcMillian
CynthiaStone
DainneJordan
David&PhyllisEdwards
of
LarryPearce
DavidA.Miles
DavidBohanan
DianneJordan
DickHodgetts
DonLeebernJr. DorisElsmore
Dr.HenryUtley
Dr.JamesA.Batts,Jr.
Dr.NicholeRay
Dr.PaulHartman
Drew&WhitneyGoyen
EddieLockamy
Elizabeth"Betsy"Gallant
EllenBrugger
EmilyDantzler
EmilyHill
EmoryGilree,Sr.
EvaSmith
EvelynCook
F.H.Hawkins
Frank&ChristineShorling
G.Phelps
GailHeard
GeneAyers
GeorgeDougherty
GeorgeHearn,III
GordonDickerson
HallieLoyd
HenryFite
HollyLanford
InaBelleAllen
JackBirkenthal
JackSharp
JackieLoubet
JamesBrownlee
JamesF.ShehaneIII
JanGrizzle
JanetWarner
GladysMeacham
JanineCrist
JayBoswell
JayMancini
JefferyThomasGordon,Sr.
JenniferAllen
JerryPaulin
JerryWilliamson
JewelAbernathy
JimandHelenEverett
JimWestphal
CELEBRATING20YEARS
OFHOPE.OFHELP.OFHEALING.
The Cancer Foundation proudly celebrates 20 years of service in 2025. Since our founding, we have helped more than 6,000 patients across Northeast Georgia through our Financial Assistance Program, providing over $5.3 million in financial relief. Through our Nutritional Assistance Program, we have delivered more than 96,000 meals, giving patients one less worry as they focus on healing and recovery. These programs play an important role in helping patients maintain stability during one of the most difficult times in their lives. The Cancer Foundationhelpstoensurethatthestressofdailyexpensesneverstandsinthewayofhealing.
This milestone year is not just about reflecting on our past it’s about building our future. As we celebrate this anniversary, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has made this journey possible; the patients who inspire us, the healthcare professionals who refer those in need,andthedonorsandcommunitypartnerswhosegenerositypowerseveryactofcare.
Reflections from
FormerExecutiveDirector
KimberlyLiebowitz
During my time as Executive Director of The Cancer Foundation, I was most proud of creating a program that allowed us to provide direct financial assistance to cancer patients within 24 hours. When someone is diagnosed with cancer,there’sanoverwhelmingamountofpaperwork,tests, and waiting My goal was to make it intentionally simple easytoaskforhelpandreceiveitquickly.
I knew we couldn’t take away every burden, but if we could relieve even one, it could make a real difference. For me, it was always—and will always be—about the patient. I’m deeplyproudthatthepassionthatbeganwithasmallgroup of caring physicians and administrators, and that I was privileged to carry forward, still drives the Foundation’s missiontodayhelpinghundredsofpatientseachyear
One moment that stands out to me is when we helped a woman pay her rent while she was unable to work during treatment After completing her treatment and returning to work,shewantedto“payitforward”andmadeadonationto another patient in need It was such a powerful reminder of thestrengthandspiritofcancerpatientsandthepowerofa communitythatgenuinelycares.
BravotoTheCancerFoundationcelebratingthe20thyearof itsfounding!IservedasExecutiveDirectorfrom2019to2023, a time that brought challenges and clarity to our mission. Guided by the needs of patients, the feedback of social workers and clinicians, and the sincere desire to serve by donors,TCFmadeseveralboldmoves
First, we increased the annual support made available to patientsby50percent Thenweexpandedthegeographywe serve to six additional counties where resources were lacking. Finally, we established a modest food bag program tosupplementpatients'pantries
Our excellent staff guided all of these adjustments with thoughtful, intentional research Our board trusted these recommendations and heartily endorsed these improved services. All was made possible by the steadfast support of our donors whose giving kept pace with the needs of our patients during the Covid pandemic and its lingering economicuncertainties.
Throughout this collaborative work, I learned invaluable lessonsaboutgratitudeandresiliencefromourpatients.The story of TCF continues to shine with the same dedication to the most vulnerable among us: cancer patients in financial need. Congratulations to The Cancer Foundation for two decadesofservice!
“Itwasoneofthehardestseasonsofmylife physically,emotionally,andfinancially.That’swhenThe CancerFoundationsteppedintohelpmekeepupwithbillsandprovided nutritional support so I could maintain my strength. Your help lifted a huge weight from my shoulders and gave me peace of mind during treatment.
Today, I’m grateful to say I am cancer-free. I now share my journey to encourage others to listen to their bodies, get screened, and know that supportisoutthere.ThankstoTheCancerFoundation,Iwasabletofocus on healing and I’m now embracing survivorship, advocacy, and writing mymemoir.”
CANCER HAS CHANGED ME, BUT IT HASN’T TAKEN MY SPIRIT. EVERY DAY, I’M REMINDED HOW FAR I’VE COME AND HOW MUCH LIFE THERE IS TO CELEBRATE.
As we bring our 20th anniversary year to a close, The Cancer Foundation remains dedicated to addressing the growing and evolving needs of cancer patients across NortheastGeorgia.Intheyearahead,wewill:
“When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, it doesn't just affect their health andemotionalwell-being.Italsoimpacts theminpracticalways.Theirincomemay decrease or stop all together as the cancer/treatment affects their job. Or they may already be facing financial struggles and the added expense of cancer treatment and transportation to clinic increases their food or housing insecurities. As a social worker at UCBC, havingaresourcelikeTCFallowsmeto connectpatientswithvaluabletangible resourcessotheycanworrylessabout financial concerns and focus more on treatingtheircancer.Wearethenableto provideotherservicessuchascounseling and support groups to patients as they havehadtheirbasicneedsmet.”
TheCancerFoundationishonoredtoreceivegiftsmadeintributetothosewho inspire hope, strength, and kindness. These gifts honor individuals whose lives make a difference marking birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, or milestones that deserve to be remembered with gratitude. Whether given to express appreciation,admiration,orlove,eachhonorarygiftreflectsasharedbeliefthat generosityisoneofthemostmeaningfulwaystohonorsomeonespecial.
