Economic Impact (Part One)

There was an article published in the Northwest Arkansas Times in January of this year that explored the impact of local non-profit organizations on our community's financial outlook. The article focused primarily on how the highlighted agencies contribute to the area's financial stability through payment of salaries and bringing ancillary monies to the community.

HOPE, Inc. doesn't employ dozens of people, nor does it host programs that will attract hundreds of spectators who will feed their families at local restaurants, but as an organization that provides direct financial assistance, we can state without a doubt that our fiscal viability is vital to our community especially in the midst of our country's current economic downturn. Just as we are working harder to secure donations at levels equal to those of past years, the cancer patients we serve need us more than ever before.

Last year we created a report that outlined the amount of value our assistance programs offer to our community, and the numbers were impressive. We found that for fiscal year 2007-2008, the monthly financial impact our programs had on cancer patients living or being treated in northwest Arkansas was $39,720.00.

The total financial impact for the entire fiscal year was $476,640.00.

That is money spent to keep people in their homes, make sure they are able to get to their radiation appointments to maintain the treatment plan set up by their physician, and to help them focus on healing and recovery rather than whether or not they can afford to buy their chemotherapy prescription AND put food on the table for their family.

Travel expenses for those needing treatment out of town are also provided on a case-by-case basis. Notes from patients like this are what it's all about for us:

I want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for your organization's financial assistance for our son. Your donation of $600 helped us afford to live in an apartment near CARTI in Little Rock. The apartment has been a infinite blessing in the midst of such a painful time for our son. The radiation and chemo treatments that he receives each weekday are very hard on his body. It is comforting to come "home" to our apartment each day and relax in a quiet and peaceful setting. May God richly bless your individual and corporate lives.

You can make a difference in the life of a local cancer patient. Find out more about HOPE, Inc. and donate online at www.hopenwa.org. We are all affected, and we can all share HOPE.

Next time: The cost benefit of providing LOCAL clinical trials to cancer patients.

HOPE loves Highland's Oncology Group!!

We recently conducted an employee campaign with our friends at Highland's Oncology Group, and are thrilled to report that our efforts surpassed our goal! The generous staff there have pledged to give over $21,000 in the coming year to HOPE!! Wow!

Thank you Highland's staff ~ for supporting us every day in the clinics, and for supporting us through 2009 with your wonderful donations!!!

Because of your gifts, we will be able to help hundreds more patients this year!

This wonderful outpouring of support from the Highland's staff underscores the need for more
collaborative work in the field of cancer care. HOPE was created by a group of Highland's physicians and former patients in 2001, and we partner with them to provide a range of services aimed at helping their patients successfully complete their treatments and focus on recovery. The research and the work done by dedicated medical personnel don't have the desired effect if the patients can't afford their prescriptions or fill up their gas tank to get to appointments, or if they are so overwhelmed with fear and depression that they can't follow the treatment plan.

Not only do we provide emergency financial assistance for patients who, as one of our patients put it, "can't afford to have cancer", but we also offer emotional support for those who are struggling to balance family, finances, work, and their diagnosis. Cancer can be overwhelming in the best of situations, but add one more challenge to the mix and, for many, it becomes an obstacle that seems unsurmountable.

Special thanks also goes out to the businesses that donated

prizes we drew for at the end of the week:

Flora

Something Urban

Nightbird Books

The Rabbit's Lair

War Eagle Mill

Mason's Boutique

The Copper Pig

Hiland Dairy

'Tis the Season

We have our holiday tree up in the HOPE office, and ornaments handmade by the members of our staff are hanging on it. It's a daily reminder of the holiday season we're in... challenging this year for a lot of us, but even tougher for many people in Northwest Arkansas who are undergoing cancer treatments.

But as requests to HOPE for assistance may be increasing due to higher heating bills and other budgetary challenges surrounding the holidays, we have also been on the receiving end of some wonderful gifts from local organizations and individuals who support the work we do in Northwest Arkansas. The more we receive, the more we can provide to those who need it... we're thrilled to share a little information about some wonderful recent gifts:

$5,000.00 was donated from the proceeds of the 18th annual Rocktoberfest put on by the Rockcrawlers 4x4 Club of NWA the first weekend of November. 200 trucks and jeeps and other off-roading vehicles participated in various competitions over the weekend. There were als0 lots of activities for kids, and some great raffles... Many thanks to Ken Phasey, Jeff Sullivan, Craig Hill, and all the members of the club for their support!!!

$1,000.00 came to us by way of the Replenishment Team at Wal-Mart (Dept. 8022). We were so pleased to visit with them and hear one of their team member's personal story of HOPE's impact on her mother-in-law's life.

$500.00 was donated by friends and co-workers of a great guy named Graham who works at the Fayetteville Senior Center. He agreed to shave his beard and cut off his LOOOONG hair all for HOPE's benefit. He asked for $250.00 to take it off, but actually got $500.00! Thanks Graham!

We are so grateful for all the support we receive from our community. Thank you, Northwest Arkansas, for helping us help our friends and neighbors who are struggling with a cancer diagnosis.