MSH Auxiliary hears of UCAN's efforts

Julie Allison is the new Outreach Director of the United Cancer Assistance Network and was a guest speaker at Missouri Healthcare's Auxiliary recent monthly meeting, explaining to the auxiliary the purpose and mission of the UCAN organization.

UCAN, Allison explained, is a network designed to provide individualized support for area cancer patients.

"Our mission is to help ease some of the burdens brought about in the wake of a cancer diagnosis, thereby enhancing the quality of life experienced by local cancer patients," Allison explained.

The organization is a non-profit charitable group funded by local citizens with those funds funneled right back into the local community in the form of supplying assistance with housing and utilities costs, food, auto payments and even medical supplies for cancer patients. The organization also is instrumental in securing wigs or needed headgear for chemotherapy patients. Gas vouchers and help with other vehicle-related expenses are also services offered through UCAN, Allison stated.

During the month of March, UCAN contributions within Stoddard County totaled over $2100. During the 2007 year, assistance was provided to cancer patients in the county totaling nearly $27,000.

"It's nice for those donating to UCAN to know," explained Allison, "that 100 percent of their donations remain in the community so that local cancer victims are directly benefiting from their own neighbors' generosity."

The local UCAN organization, housed at Poplar Bluff, serves the Missouri counties of Butler, Stoddard, Dunklin, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Wayne and Carter, as well as Clay County in Arkansas.