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United Way helps fund Union County Cancer Society
This is the third in a weekly series of articles submitted by
the United Way of Union County that will run during the course of its annual campaign. Each week will feature a
different United Way program. This week’s article features the Union County Cancer Society.
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Evelyn Rausch (seated) of Milford Center calls her daughter,
Christi Schindler, an angel for the help she gives her in coping with
cancer. The family is also appreciative of the support they've received
from the Union County Cancer Society.
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"Cancer" is not technically a four-letter word. But it can be just as dirty
as any expletive.
"It’s the most vicious word in the English language," said Evelyn
Rausch.
Rausch knows firsthand. Within the span of a year, the Milford Center widow watched as her brother died of prostate
cancer and her daughter-in-law underwent breast cancer surgery. Then, when she was at the doctor getting her high
blood pressure checked, she herself was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"I thought, ‘Oh my God, this can’t be,’" Rausch remembers. "I always thought I’d die of heart problems.
I never dreamed about cancer."
The last year and a half has been an emotional roller coaster of medical ups and downs for Rausch. She says she’s
not constantly sick. Some days are better than others, but there are times when she doesn’t have much energy. Rausch
does have plenty of support from friends and family. Her daughter, Christi, lives with her and has arranged a work and school schedule around her mother’s chemotherapy
treatments. |
Rausch also has plenty of support from people she doesn’t even know. Last October,
she connected with the Union County Cancer Society, a United Way Member Agency. Since then, she’s received financial
assistance to help her with the expenses she’s incurred with her illness. Even though Rausch has insurance and
Medicare, her costs still exceed $200 a month for co-pays on medicine, transportation to and from chemotherapy
treatments, and other supplies such as a new wig for when she lost her hair. Rausch said the support she’s received
from the Union County Cancer Society has allowed her to live as normal a life as possible.
"Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth all the expense and trouble to keep an old lady alive for a few extra months,"
Rausch said. "Then I get a call from my granddaughter. She calls me crying, saying, ‘Promise me, Grandma,
that you won’t die.’ And I tell her, ‘Jenny, I can’t promise you that I won’t die. But I can promise you that I
won’t give up. I’ll fight like Hell.’"
An original Member Agency of the United Way of Union County since 1958, the Union County Cancer Society has been
helping families of cancer patients make ends meet.
Families like David and Sharon Ormeroid of Marysville. When David was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer, he required continual treatments
in Columbus. Because of his illness, he lost his job and subsequently, his insurance coverage. It was critical
that Sharon maintain her employment, but how was David to get to Columbus everyday? The Union County Cancer Society
stepped in and reimbursed the couple for transportation provided by UCATS to the James Cancer Hospital.
"It kept us from going under," Sharon said. "There was no way I could have taken him everyday and
continued to work. You never realize all of the things you’re going to need help with when something like that
comes around. Transportation was the last thing on your mind. How am I going to get there?
The Union County Cancer Society serves about 200 families each year, but those numbers are rising because of increased
usage and referral. As a result, the agency has had to decrease the amount of money it can provide its clients
for reimbursements by as much as 50-percent in some areas. For example, mileage for transportation to treatments
has been reduced to 10 cents a mile with a maximum reimbursement of $200 a year. That’s down from 20 cents a mile
up to $400 a year. Reimbursements for supplies and equipment are down from $75 a month to $50 a month.
Funding for the Union County Cancer Society comes primarily from the United Way of Union County’s annual campaign,
with more than $30,000 allocated for 2005. The agency is constantly clarifying that it is not related to the American
Cancer Society, and receives no funding from events such as the popular Relay for Life fundraiser held each spring.
Only the Union County Cancer Society provides financial assistance to local patients, and they’ll tell you that
it makes a real impact in their fight against the disease.
"When you’re not endowed financially, it almost makes you want to give up," said Rausch of the monthly
bills piling up as a result of the cancer. "But there are people in this world who care. They give a darn!"
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FAST FACTS ABOUT THE UNION COUNTY CANCER SOCIETY:
- 2005 United Way allocation was $30,000 (or 86% of its budget).
- The rest of its revenue comes from grateful residents who make memorial donations
to the organization.
- 70% of the clients they serve are elderly on fixed incomes.
- In an effort to raise awareness and dollars for the Union County Cancer Society,
Drs. Charita and Patrick Cooper of Buckeye Sports
and Family Chiropractic Center in Marysville donated their services
to the cause. Through the end of August, 2005, new patients could make an appointment at 642-4400 and mention this
article or the Cancer Society to receive an exam, x-rays if necessary, and a report of findings, a $250 value,
for only $25. That $25 was donated to the Union County Cancer Society via the United Way. "It’s a good opportunity,"
said Dr. Charita Cooper, a United Way Board Member. "It makes health care more affordable and it’s also for
a good cause."
- For more information, contact the Union County Cancer Society at 642-3910 or visit
www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org.
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