Quarterly Update

How does an organization in the business of helping people with a scary, sometimes fatal disease report a "great first quarter" without sounding morbid or insensitive? It is, admittedly, a unique position to be in.

On one hand, the fact that more people are being served by our programs means that more people are being diagnosed with cancer in our community. On the other hand, those same people - if our programs were not available - would still be on the frightening and often confusing journey that is cancer treatment and recovery. The difference is that without our services, many of them would be required to choose between paying their mortgage and buying their monthly prescriptions, or be unable to get to their treatments because their cancer made them unable to drive.

We can report that we have had a great first quarter because we have been fortunate enough to serve 462 new patients being seen in local oncology clinics with the compassionate, professional cancer support and education that we are bound by our mission statement to provide.

Our patient assistance staff are the first in line to help when a patient requests an application for services. Our licensed social workers begin providing emotional support the moment they greet a new patient. From there, we are available as much or as little as needed. Since January 1st of this year, we have provided the following to cancer patients and their families in Northwest Arkansas:

$18,328.00 in direct prescription assistance;

Assistance through drug company assistance programs valued at $52,398.00;

$55,365.00 in direct emergency financial assistance;

$16,500.00 in gasoline cards;

3708 hours of emotional support services to 927 patients;

193 hours of Spanish interpretation;

668 van trips to and from appointments for a total of 39,743 miles.

Our health educators are out in the community every week sharing information on prevention, risks, awareness and our services to civic groups, schools, health fairs and local companies. Their services are vital to the health and well-being of our community... in fact, the screenings that they help secure for patients in need or provide at our annual screenings in our office can save lives. All of our educational services - as with all of our assistance and support - are provided at no cost to the patient. Since January, our health educators have provided: 

Education and prevention information to 128 individuals;

Smoking cessation counseling valued at $4,247.00 to 60 individuals; 

188 cancer screenings valued at $122,813.00.

Also in the first quarter of 2012, we held several small fundraising events in the community. You may have seen us on Facebook and Twitter talking about our events at Fish City Grill in Rogers, Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville and Ruby Tuesday in Fayetteville and Bentonville. They all hosted us for some great friend-making and awareness-building opportunities. Thank you to everyone who came out to see us or supported us silently at those events!

Finally, as a not-for-profit organization, the support we receive from local businesses and individuals is vital. We are grateful for the following grants that affirm that our work is vital and valued in our community.

Arkansas Blue and You Foundation

Carroll County Community Foundation

Komen for the Cure - Ozark Affiliate

Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation

Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute Auxiliary

See, it HAS been a great first quarter! Thank you for your support that allows us to do what we do in Northwest Arkansas. We are humbled every day by comments and notes such as this one:  

"The cookbook arrived today - I'll enjoy looking through it! Hope Cancer Resources helped two of my brothers as they battled cancer, and it is nice to have a remembrance of your organization. It was a great encouragement to my brothers to receive financial help... Thank you for all you do!"