Who needs HOPE?

Studies have been done that measure the relationship between a person's attitude or level of optimism and their success in life. Over and over again they show that the more optimistic a person is, the more often they will find the silver lining in the thunderclouds that are filling their skies.

You can imagine, then, what an attitude of hopeful optimism can do for the many people in our community who are living with cancer. For too many, cancer is not only a serious illness to be fought through and survived, but the diagnosis also carries the very real threat of losing one's job due to the patient's inability to work during their treatments. That job loss can too quickly lead to a fear of losing their home, their car, custody of their children... Suddenly, being sick is almost the least of their worries. The immediate needs take up more of a patient's mental and physical energy and recovery becomes harder to focus on.

HOPE, Inc. was founded in 2001 by physicians and former cancer patients here in Northwest Arkansas. They saw a need for a source of information and assistance that can available to cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment. We work with oncology patients in Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance, and referrals to other cancer support organizations when it is appropriate.

We also offer access to clinical trials that have not been available to many patients in Northwest Arkansas before now. Our staff includes a Registered Nurse who manages the paperwork and research involved with patients' applications and physicians' administration of the trials, thereby providing peace-of-mind and a reduction of frustration for those who need it most.

We have created this blog to allow us to provide up-to-date information and an online presence in order to reach as many people as possible with the message of HOPE. Come back often, refer your friends, and support us as you feel you can. We are all neighbors, and we can all use a little HOPE.