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

A Message from Rocky - 2023

If you have ever heard me talk about Cancer Services of Grant County (CSGC), then you have heard me say these three things: our programs evolve to meet the needs of the community, everything we do is 100% free, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the support of our community. 2023 was a prime example of CSGC adapting to meet the needs of the community, while simultaneously dealing with a flood AND a truck driving through the reception area of our office.

It all started Christmas weekend of 2022 when a failed water line caused a flood in the office. Then in February, while we were still dealing with flood repairs, a gentleman drove his truck into our building causing significant damage. Our office was turned upside down and thrown into chaos. And on top of all of that, we had one of our busiest years ever here at CSGC!

In June of this year, Progressive Cancer Care (PCC) temporarily stopped treating patients for four months while updated radiation equipment was installed. This temporary closure meant all of their patients had to be sent to Muncie for radiation. We worked closely with the staff at PCC to ensure all of their patients were able to make it to their treatments. During this four-month period our gas assistance increased by 164% and the number of clients who needed help with rides increased by 291%. I am happy to say that we successfully assisted 100% of the people who came through our doors during this difficult period.

CSGC has been in Grant County since 1959 helping people in our community facing cancer. We help anyone who lives, works, or is treated in Grant County. We help with prescriptions, transportation, equipment, supplies, financial guidance, education, navigation, and more. And we provide all of these services 100% free of charge. We open our doors everyday to help those facing cancer. Our funding comes from fundraisers, grants, donations, memorials, and estates. And all of the money raised stays right here in Grant County to help local people with their cancer journey.

To say that it has been a difficult year would be a huge understatement; however, even in the face of all this adversity, we were still able to help so many people. You see, even though we were displaced for eight months and our lives were a little chaotic, we still had clients who needed us, and we showed up for them…every day. I am humbly and respectfully asking you to continue to rally around CSGC. Your tax-deductible donation helps us meet the ever-increasing needs of those facing cancer in Grant County.