Cancer Services Hosts Color Me Pink Fun Run, Auction

GAS CITY — Cancer Services of Grant County hosted its Color Me Pink fun run and silent auction Saturday, Oct. 4. The annual events support local cancer assistance programs and the Breast, Education, Screening and Survival (BESS) program, which promotes early breast cancer detection.

The silent auction event began at 10 a.m. at Gas City Park, with the fun run starting at noon. Participants ran or walked through a course featuring color and bubble stations while volunteers tossed pink powder.

Vendors, music and snacks added to the day’s activities. The silent auction featured items donated by local businesses and community members.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Cancer Services’ general programs and the BESS program, which helps provide free mammograms and diagnostic services for Grant County residents.

Executive Director of Cancer Services Rocky Whitehead said the first fun run took place in 2014, but the BESS program began in 2000.

“Back then, Grant County was a high risk area for breast cancer, and it (the BESS program) was heavily funded by grants,” Whitehead said. “At the time, it was like that for the first 10-13 years or so of it. We were providing upwards of 500 mammograms a year for free, and additional testing as needed.”

In 2013, Whitehead said Grant County was removed from the high risk population areas for breast cancer. Because of that, they lost grant funding for the program and as a result, created the fun run as a way to raise money for the program in 2014.

In addition to the run, there is also a silent auction for people to place bids on donated items from community members. Whitehead said they average about 100 auction items up for grabs.

“Over the 25 years of the programs, we’ve provided thousands of free mammograms. We’ve diagnosed 66 women through the program, which two of them were this year,” Whitehead said. “So, this is still very much needed.”

Whitehead encourages any woman the age of 40 or older to come in for a mammogram screening. He also said if someone were to be younger than 40 but have a family history of breast cancer, then they are also welcome to come in for a screening. “At the end of the day, that’s why we open our door everyday. It’s for those who may be facing breast cancer in our community,” he said.

Article by Brianna Coffing, Reporter for the Chronicle Tribune

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.