Another year...

Anticipating the end of the calendar year tends to make people look back and count their blessings. Some are thankful to be moving forward into another year riding high on their successes. Others may be grateful to be leaving a tough year behind and getting a fresh start. For us here at Hope Cancer Resources we hope that we have given some relief to our patients, helped them get a little bit further down the road to recovery, and - as our tagline states - provided "support for the journey, education for life."

After the holidays we will give a final update of the statistics for 2010, but here's a quick sneak peek at last month's numbers:

In November 2010...

We provided transportation to medical-related appointments totaling 13,551 miles for cancer patients in Northwest Arkansas;

We distributed $16,081.38 in emergency assistance to patients in need of help paying rent/mortgage, utility bills, and transportation costs because of their medical treatment expenses;

We processed 33 new patient applications for emotional and/or financial assistance;

We provided just over a week's worth of interpretation assistance for Spanish-speaking patients.

Our staff works hard every day to fulfill our mission of providing compassionate, professional cancer support and education to Northwest Arkansas today and tomorrow. We do it because it's our passion, but we will be thrilled to see the day come when our services are no longer needed because cancer has gone the way of the plague.

Until then, notes like these from patients and their families remind us how vital our work is to our communities:

"I just wanted to say thank you to Hope Cancer Resources for all the help I've been given during my time of need. This has been the most difficult and scariest time of my life and I'm truly touched and overwhelmed by the support I've received."

"Just a card to let you know how much I appreciated your help with my prescription medicines for my chemo treatments."   

"You have been so kind and helpful. Thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do for the afflicted with such an insidious disease."

"Thank you so much for the help you gave me last month. I hope I don't have to come to you again, but it sure is good to know there is HOPE!!"

"We wanted to thank you so much for helping with our vehicle payment and the gas card you helped us with to get our daughter back to Arkansas Children's Hospital."

"I wanted to thank you for all the help over the weeks with gas cards. I live an hour away from Highlands Oncology and the gas cost quickly added up. It was a tremendous blessing and one major area not to have to worry over."

"If not for your financial assistance I, more than likely, would not have been able to receive the treatment I needed. Your help is so very much appreciated."

"Thank you again for your caring and understanding during our time of stress and confusion. Without your caring we would have had a much harder time."

"Thank you to all the staff at Hope Cancer Resources for your help and support during this time. I so appreciate the financial assistance, your ease of accessibility, and the compassionate manner in which you offer your services."

If you would like to know more about our services, volunteer opportunties, or how to support us with a donation, please visit our website or contact us at 479-361-5847.