Could You Lend a Hand?

I know what you’re thinking.  An appeal letter from Cancer Services of Grant County in June? Don’t they usually send their appeal letter out in November to ask for donations? Why are they sending one out in June?  To answer simply, we are asking in June out of necessity.  In my opinion, one of the most difficult aspects of working at CSGC is juggling how of often we solicit for dollars to support our Cancer Assistance Program. CSGC has been helping those facing cancer in our community since 1959. We help anyone with a cancer diagnosis whether they live, work, or are treated in Grant County. We assist with cancer related transportation, prescriptions, equipment, supplies, advocacy, patient navigation, and more. We provide all of these services 100% free! Our funding comes from fundraisers, grants, donations, memorials, and estates. All of the money we raise stays right here in Grant County to help those facing cancer in our community. As much as I hate to ask again, our client’s needs will always outweigh my concern of over- asking the community for help. It is with that in mind that we humbly reach our hand out to ask, will you please “Lend A Hand?”

CSGC’s mission is a comprehensive effort to increase survival rates and embrace families facing cancer in Grant County. Our Cancer Assistance Program is the comprehensive effort from our mission statement. We open our doors every day to help those facing cancer in our community and we will continue to do so as long as there is a need. When we meet with someone for the first time, our compassionate advocates do an in-depth intake with them, asking lots of questions that enable us to create a care plan. Since no two cancer journeys are the same, every care plan is unique to each client, as are the burdens of access to care they are facing.

Grant County has historically been one of the unhealthiest counties in the state and currently ranks 89th out of the 92 counties in the state in health outcomes. Grant County is also one of 34 counties where cancer death rates are higher than the state average. Over the last three years our Cancer Assistance Program has:

·         Assisted approximately 300 clients per year

·         Purchased nearly 100 cancer related prescriptions per year

·         Provided gas cards for approximately 300 cancer related appointments per year

·         Provided rides to more than 360 cancer related appointments per year

·         Provided durable medical equipment and supplies more than 235 times per year

Enclosed with this letter are all the different ways you can lend a hand to CSGC! Thank you for considering CSGC and the vital work we do.  Your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of many.

Sincerely,

Rocky Whitehead Executive Director

Annual Walk of Hope Returns to Marion

MARION — Survivors, supporters and citizens will unite in solidarity in the fight against cancer during this year’s Annual Walk of Hope.

Cancer Services of Grant County (CSGC) will kick off Walk of Hope 2025 at 5 p.m. Friday, May 2 at Riverside Federal Credit Union, located at 101 Washington St. in Marion.

Participants will walk one mile, starting at 6:30 p.m. The course will start and end at the credit union.

“The Walk of Hope helps to fund the many services we offer such as transportation, navigation, education, prescription assistance, equipment, supplies, wigs and so much more,” the organization said. “There are no fees for our services.”

Cancer Services of Grant County receives financial support in several different ways, including through grants, donations and fundraisers like Walk of Hope.

Registration will begin at 5 p.m. The cost is $5 per person to register online before the event. However, those wanting to get involved can register in person on the day of the walk.

Walkers can sign up as a team or as individual participants. They also have the option to walk in remembrance of friends or family members who are or have been affected by cancer.

People can also participate by sponsoring a walker instead of doing the mile walk.

“All funds raised during the Walk of Hope stay local to help local folks through their cancer journey,” CSGC said.

Following the walking event, there will be an awards ceremony, with a presentation of the Biggest Team Awards, Spirit Award and Fundraising Award.

Along with the awards, Cancer Services of Grant County will give away prizes. Music and vendors will be present throughout the evening as well, the organization said.

“We’ll be tossing some cool prizes off the balcony into the crowd the entire evening,” the organization said. “It’s a lot of fun for a great cause, and you don’t want to miss it.”

According to its website, Cancer Services of Grant County was established in 1959 by health professionals, local physicians and cancer survivors. The group began as the Grant County Cancer Society but later changed its name in the 1960s to Cancer Services of Grant County.

In addition to the Walk of Hope, Cancer Services of Grant County holds other events throughout the years. These include Color Me Pink in Gas City during the fall and the Annual Golf Scramble, which occurs every August.

A Message from Sherrie - 2024

Have you, or anyone you know or love, ever had cancer?  Chances are, almost everyone will answer yes to that question.  Over our lifetime, cancer touches us all, in one way or another.  It doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, old or young, tall or short, or blonde or brunette.  It reaches out and touches us all, no matter our circumstances.  Do you know who else doesn’t care if you’re rich, poor, old, young, tall, short, blonde or brunette?  Cancer Services of Grant County (CSGC).  If you need help with your cancer journey, we are here for you, regardless of your circumstances. 

For 65 years, CSGC has been opening its doors every day to help people facing cancer in our community.  We assist with prescriptions, transportation, education, navigation, equipment and supplies, wigs, and so much more.  Our team is dedicated and experienced in lessening the burdens caused by a cancer diagnosis. 

Before stepping into his leadership role in 2022, our Executive Director was our Director of Advocacy for nine years.  Our Breast Health Navigator has been with us for 12 years educating our community on breast health and the importance of early detection, facilitating free mammograms, and fitting women with post-mastectomy bras and prosthetics.  Our Administrative Assistants have a combined 10 years’ experience, and our bookkeeper has been with us since 2019.    I myself have been with CSGC for 12 years, and was a long-time supporter prior to my employment here.  And although our Director of Advocacy is just coming up on her one-year anniversary here, she originally came to us as an intern in 2018.  We have the dedication, the knowledge, the experience, and we have all been touched by cancer as well.  We don’t just talk the talk, we’ve all walked the walk.

I invite you today to assist us in our mission to increase survival rates and embrace families facing cancer in Grant County.  At CSGC there are never any fees for our services, so we are supported solely through donations, grants, memorials, and fundraising events.  Every donation, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in our ability to continue helping people facing cancer in our community. 

Thank you so much for your continued support of the important work we’re doing at Cancer Services of Grant County.  If you know someone fighting cancer, please send them our way.  We’d love to help!

With gratitude,

Sherrie Stahl Director of Operations