Robbinsville – There is more than $33,000 available to help cancer patients in Graham County.
During the March 5 Graham Cancer Support Group meeting, treasurer Pam Shaffer informed the board that the ending balance at the end of February was $33,234.45, with $1,055 of that going to the group’s Care Room, which is set up at Innovations Salon.
Donations from both Hosanna and Lone Oak Baptist churches added $950 to the cause last month. Applications are available every quarter – in which patients can get $250 to help with expenses – and, so far, the group has helped 29 people affected with cancer in Graham County.
“We understand that the little bit we give them isn’t going to touch a cancer patient’s bills; one round of chemo is $15,000, $16,000,” Director Vicki Walsh said. “What we’re looking at it is helping them with gas to get to and from their treatment, or maybe a meal.
“$250 isn’t going to be a drop in the bucket on what a bill is, but we hope it can take a little strain off of them.”
Other news and notes from the meeting included:
* The Red Hat Society (Lady Dragons) attended the meeting and announced the creation of the Divas and Denim Dinner, which will take place Saturday, June 27, at the Graham County Community Center. Only 100 tickets will be sold to the gala, and all proceeds raised will benefit the cancer support group.
* Walsh added that the group will have a large fundraiser over Labor Day weekend at the Robbinsville High School track.
* Walsh later informed those in attendance that the group has volunteers available to clean people’s homes that are going through chemo treatments, once a month, for free.
* Tickets for the Titletown blanket – which has been hanging inside United Community Bank – will be available until the first home football game of the 2020 season. Tickets are $1 each, or six for $5.