Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
Ontonagon — Volunteers will span Ontonagon County from May 4 to May 18 in the annual Ontonagon County Cancer Association Fund Drive.
The Ontonagon Association, which is independent and not associated with any state or national entity, was formed to provide financial assistance to Ontonagon County cancer patients. Cancer patients are eligible to receive financial help with travel to cancer appointments and any other cancer bills not covered by insurance. It also helps provide cancer mammograms and prostate blood tests rotating every other year.
Another function of the annual drive is to distribute a brochure which includes information on the ssociation, a brief description of certain types of cancer and other services provided by the OCCA.
This year the brochure will provide information on brain tumors.
In addition to monetary donations, the cancer association provides a loan closet, rehabilitation services and research assistance.
The brochure details the total expense in the previous year, names of the board of directors, all who are residents of Ontonagon County, and contacts for home health and memorial donations.
Bev Meagher, President of the OCCA, said none of these things could be possible were it not for the generous support of the residents and friends and past friends of the Association. Meagher praised not only the generous residents, but the many groups who plan outside events to assist the group. The annual Lake Trout Classic, BarB Cue for Life, Bowling for the Cure, Settlers Run for Cancer Cure, and others raise large amounts of funds for the group to pay cancer patients over $60,000 each years for cancer bills.
Meagher said the door to door volunteers will distribute the brochures and she asks that each recipient accept it and pass that information on to other members of their family. The names of the board of directors are also listed on the brochure and those seeking information can contact them.
“Cancer has touched every resident of this county,” Meagher said. “It is our effort to get this information to every resident of our county,” she added.
For those residents who are not at home when the volunteers knock on the door, an envelope will be left to enable donations to be sent to the OCCA.
