Press Release
2008-08-18
CancerCare's Financial Assistance Program Receives New Grant from Reader's Digest Foundation
August 18, 2008--The Reader's Digest Foundation has provided a grant of $100,000 to CancerCare in support of its financial assistance program, which helps cancer patients and their families cover costs associated with their cancer treatment.
This grant is the sixth in the Foundation's $1 million "Make it Matter" program, dedicated to promoting efforts that encourage individuals to make a positive difference in their communities. The Foundation considers individuals' stories of giving back and chooses one each month that embodies the Foundation's mission and serves as an inspiration to others. For each Make it Matter story selected, the Foundation will donate $100,000 to a nonprofit organization that furthers the cause.
The Foundation's grant to CancerCare was inspired by the story of Minnesota resident Michelle Morey, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37. Fortunately, she had adequate insurance and a supportive family who helped her get through treatment and recovery. Yet, she was dismayed by the many other patients she met who didn't have the resources she had and, because of the soaring medical expenses they faced, were having trouble paying their bills. In response, Michelle and her husband started a fund to provide small donations to patients in financial need at the clinic where Michelle was treated. Soon, the fund grew to help patients at several local hospitals. In just two years, Michelle and her husband have raised more than $250,000 and assisted nearly 150 women.
"Fighting cancer is hard enough without also having to fight to keep your lights on and make your mortgage payments," said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, Reader's Digest Foundation. "We're very gratified that CancerCare recognizes this and assists people with cancer who need financial support, and we're delighted to help them in that critical work."
"We are so grateful to the Reader's Digest Foundation for helping us assist people as they face the biggest crisis of their lives," said Diane Blum, Executive Director of CancerCare. "Even a modest grant makes a profound difference in the daily lives of people facing the emotional and financial challenges of a cancer diagnosis."
Do you have an inspiring story about giving back you'd like to share? Submit your story at http://www.readersdigest.com/foundation. Reader's Digest magazine is lending its support to the Foundation's program by highlighting selected stories in its monthly "Make it Matter" column. Many of the submissions, including those that do not lead to a grant, will be featured on http://www.readersdigest.com.