Local nonprofit hopes to reach one million dollar mark this year

By Suzanne Hinman

Imagine being told that you have cancer and have weeks, months or even years of treatment ahead of you. Coping with the physical and emotional challenges of cancer treatment is daunting enough, but the financial burden is often the most overwhelming aspect of treatment.

There are cancer patients who are primary wage earners until their treatment or disease forces them to cut their work hours, or stop working completely. There are patients who are retired and on a fixed income, and others who have a high deductible or no prescription plans. For these people, and many more, a cancer diagnosis means a sudden unsurmountable increase to their expenses.

Cancer patients are forced to make impossible choices, like whether to pay for the medications that will relieve their nausea or pay their heating bill. They need to have a healthy diet, but the increase in expenses often means they can’t afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Cancer patients may need to drive long distances for daily radiation treatments, which means increased gas bills or additional child care expenses.

The Cancer Care Fund of the Litchfield Hills is a nonprofit organization created to assist and support cancer patients residing, or receiving care, in northwest Connecticut. People who live in Norfolk are eligible to receive money from this fund, regardless of where they receive their cancer treatment.

The fund supports cancer patients with care, treatment, education and prevention programs; and awards financial assistance to patients for emergencies such as food, rent, utilities, medications or other needs as determined by clinicians and case managers. The Cancer Care Fund has given financial help to hundreds of local patients ranging from a Stop and Shop grocery card, to paying a month’s oil bill, or obtaining a chair lift for a patient who can no longer access their second floor bedroom. The fund also supports programs such as educational seminars, massage therapy for patients during their treatments and oncology nutrition.

The fund is supported by donations from families and patients as well as community events. The biggest fundraising event is the annual Tour of the Litchfield Hills. Participants in the tour can choose a bike tour of 12, 30, 50, 75 or 100 miles, or can walk a two, four or six-mile route. All the bike and walking tours start and end at Coe Park in Torrington, where participants can enjoy a free lunch after their tour. There are rest stops and support services throughout all the routes.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, August 2. Since it is fully staffed by volunteers, one hundred percent of the profits go to the fund. Event organizers expect to reach the one million dollar mark overall this year.

For more information, or to donate directly to the Cancer Care Fund, call 860-567-0160 or visit www.charlottehungerford.org. To participate in the fundraising event, call 860-379-3372 or visit www.tourofthelitchfieldhills.com.

Photo courtesy of Tour of the Litchfield Hills