By Ethan Bourne, GRHS Journalism Student Cancer, the word no man or woman wants to hear. Although, we are lucky enough to live in Sheridan County where we have an organization called CARE. CARE stands for Cancer Awareness, Resource and Expense.
CARE had its beginning in 2007 when the founder Terrie Jo Gibbons was diagnosed with breast cancer. She felt that cancer patients needed someone to turn to for support and resources.
CARE does not approach cancer patients to ask if they would like some help with funds. They will get in contact with a family member or close friend to give the patient a brochure. The brochure asks for a little information about the patient and also requires signatures from the patient and their physician, and then get the brochure returned to a care member.
What does CARE do? This great organization provides information and help with expenses for residents in Sheridan county that are diagnosed with cancer. Some of the expenses CARE pays for are mileage, lodging, and meals for the patient and one support person who may be with them.
The funds for cancer patients do not magically appear. CARE has numerous fundraisers and donors throughout the year. Some of the fundraisers that CARE puts on are; a Pancake feed in April, a bowling tournament in March, a gun raffle, a golf tournaments in June, Christmas for CARE Craft Show in December, Cupcakes for CARE in February (which will hopefully be back next year), a color run during the Sheridan County Fair and Rodeo, Buddy Darnell roping event, Scott Kernick Fall Festival/Quilt and Car Show, Rushville Chamber Bra Bust, Gordon Chamber, Community Thrift Store, Willow Tree Quilters donating quilts for raffles, and many more donors.
Of course this organization does not run itself, there are many valuable board members. The board members include President-Carol Vincent, Vice President- Lynn Kreitman, Cheryl Ginkens, Marie Tystad, Secretary- Joyce Benben, Treasurer- Melanie Bourne, and the founder and spokesperson Terrie Jo Gibbons. Plus many more members and volunteers who donate their time.
At the end of the day CARE’S overall goal is to help ease the burden of a cancer patient in their treatment journey.