Quadzilla & Fox Chase 5k

While July is normally a bit slow for speaking, it has been a crazy month for HCM Foundation events. And by crazy I mean crazy good. We had two of our biggest fundraisers in July (Quadzilla a 15k trail race and Fox Chase 5k run) and raised $17,000 for our service programs. The foundation works with local social workers and hospitals in order to find patients and families significantly impacted by cancer. Then we use our funds to help with bills such as rent/mortgage, prescriptions, electric/water, transportation costs to treatment, etc. We will help up to $500 and while that doesn’t sound like a lot, let me give you an idea of what it can do. Two weeks ago we helped a patient get her electric turned back on. She has been in and out of the hospital for a month and a half, not able to work, and fell behind on her bills. Last week I was talking with a single mother battling breast cancer the last few years. As she is going through another intense treatment regimen, she has fallen behind on rent and risking eviction. The $500 helps her keep her home and focus on what’s really important….getting better.

It’s so important to raise money because that’s how you can be a helping hand for someone. But one thing I’ve noticed with the 200+ patients and families we’ve helped over the years is it also provides hope and a warm feeling like someone does care. And it means the world to me to be there in that way for so many people.