Thankfulness. And an update...

Once a year, people across the United States get together to prepare a big meal, spend time with their family and friends, and remember things for which they are thankful. For cancer patients and their families, that list may be a little longer than usual. For those who are dealing with their first holiday season without a loved-one, Thanksgiving can be an especially difficult time.

Speaking for the staff at Hope Cancer Resources, we are not only thankful on a personal level for good things that have happened in our individual lives, but we are also thankful for the support of the community that surrounds us. Every week we receive a note (or several) in the mail from patients or caregivers who are grateful for our services. Without the support of businesses that sponsored our events, grantors who support our programs, and individuals who make personal donations, we could not help the people we do. So, to those who are making our services possible - we say THANK YOU!

So far this year, your gifts have...

... allowed our vans to travel 127,960 miles to deliver patients to their cancer treatments and associated medical appointments. 

... helped our social workers provide emotional support to 803 individuals who were diagnosed with, recovering from, or surviving after cancer.

... provided $198,918 in emergency financial assistance to people who were struggling to pay the bills as they went through cancer treatment.

... made sure that patients received 1,352 prescriptions to give them a better chance at recovery.

... provided Spanish interpretation for 68 patients so they could understand the doctor and medical staff who were treating them.

... helped us provide 282 cancer screenings to people who may have otherwise chosen not to get one because they couldn't afford the procedures.

... allowed us to share smoking cessation counseling with 103 individuals in our community in an effort to lower the incidence rates of cancer in this generation, and that of our children and grandchildren.

Your gifts - no matter the size - make a tremendous difference in the lives of people living with cancer right here in Northwest Arkansas. Here's a little peek at the amazing impact you have on your neighbors through our programs.

"Thank you so much for all of your help to me. I can't tell you how much the gas cards have helped. But, my biggest thrill of all, was the heat for my home. It's made all the difference in this world to me. Keep up your good work and God bless."

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients in our community while you honor a loved-one this holiday season, click on the gift tag image below. 100% of your gift will be used to provide the services listed above. Your gift will provide hope.

Be an "everyone".

"Thank you for all you have done for me. 

Having cancer is the pits, but with you and everyone on my side 
I can handle it!"

When we get notes like this in the mail, we are reminded that the work we do every day not only helps cancer patients pay the bills and buy their medications and put gasoline in their cars... we're not just providing information about cancer to individuals across Northwest Arkansas and helping them receive cancer screenings when their doctor says they need them... we are also providing hope. We are connecting people to a support system that helps them see past the treatment plan and the bills and the time off work. We let them know that others have been right where they are today, and they have made it through.

We let them know that they can become survivors, too.

We'd like to invite you to be part of our "everyone" and help us make a difference in a cancer patient's life. You can help us provide medications and gas cards and screenings...

You can provide hope.

Join us at Harps and Price Cutter stores in Northwest Arkansas between August 3rd and 12th, and when you check out you'll be given the opportunity to make a donation to Hope Cancer Resources. Choose an amount to add to your grocery bill, and the store will do the rest. It's simple, and for the people we help, it's life-changing.

• $5.00 can pay a co-pay for a prescription medication.
• $25.00 buys a gas card to help someone who lives in Berryville get to their daily radiation treatments in Fayetteville.
• $150.00 pays an electric bill so a patient doesn't have to skip buying groceries for their family that week.
• $450.00 pays the rent for a family whose sole bread-winner is on medical leave to treat her cancer.

In addition to hosting us for this annual fundraiser, Harps and Price Cutter stores are also presenting sponsors for our annual gala, the Bill Fleeman Gentlemen of Distinction. Their support has been vital as we have increased the visibility and financial support for our programs serving Northwest Arkansas. We're grateful for the efforts of their management and staff, and their commitment to Hope Cancer Resources and the people we serve.

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.