Cancer Association fundraiser

ONTONAGON — The Ontonagon County Cancer Association is planning for its annual door-to-door canvas. Hundreds of volunteers from all parts of the county will begin the canvas May 7. They will not only be collecting funds in support of the association, but will bring life saving material to each home.

Board member Bev Meagher said each volunteer will carry a pamphlet explaining information on colorectal cancer. There will also be information on how to contact people within the association for those needing financial help and information on the organization’s recent audit.

In addition to the activity of the board itself, Sandie Morin, OCCA treasurer, said many outside groups are planning, or have already held, programs for the benefit of the association. The Lake Superior Classic Fishing Tourney, Barbecue for Life and Bowling For the Cure, all raise money given for patient allocation. Settlers Co-Op sponsors a Walk for Life each year with those funds donated to help pay for the mammograms and PSA testing.

St. Vincent de Paul Association held a program in memory of several of their members who died of cancer, the Ottawa Lions’s Club, Greenland Lions, Peacemakers Guild, Ladies Golf League, high school volleyball teams from both Ewen-Trout Creek and Ontonagon, and Twilly’s Quarters for the Cure, have all held programs with donations made to the OCCA, Morin said.

“This county has been incredibly generous to the OCCA,” Morin said. “Without them we would never have been able to help the more than 70 patients last year with their bills and travels. The association assists cancer patients with travel expenses and cancer bills not covered by insurance.”

Morin, Meagher and Sharon Haarala can help patients with information on receiving such help.

Morin said the Loan Closet has been especially busy in the past year and the group is considering some additional purchases for often used equipment.

Meagher suggested that even those unable to make donations during the door to door drive, accept the pamphlets, read them and pass them on to relatives and friends.

—Jan Tucker