July 23, 2008
Originally published at www.blounttoday.com

Hope for Today cancer support group recently was recognized with a proclamation from the Tennessee House of Representatives during a presentation at Piney Grove Church in Blount County.

Members of the organization gathered at the church on July 7 to hear the proclamation read by State Rep. Doug Overbey. Founded in 1998 by Charlene Walker during her treatments for Stage 3 breast cancer, Hope for Today provides psychological, education and social services for cancer patients and their families and friends at no charge.

The charity enables cancer patients to socialize with others who are newly diagnosed or those who have been cancer survivors for 30 to 40 years.

Hope for Today averages 90 attendees at their monthly meetings, which provide education, moral support, friendship and prayer. The organization became a non-profit public charity in 2004 and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Hope for Today developed and instituted a project which gives assistance to cancer patients who are underinsured, uninsured, unemployed or otherwise needy, providing transportation to appointments and treatments, physical aid, utility payments, rent and mortgage payments and child care, medication payments. In its first two years, the project has helped 124 cancer patients, spending a total of $43,271.

“This admirable group serves their fellow Tennesseans with the greatest acumen, integrity and dedication throughout all their endeavors and seeks to establish and further the highest precepts of public service,” Overbey said. “These selfless individuals are serving their fellow citizens with probity by means of peerless vision, hard work and dedication to the collective health and welfare of Tennessee.

“Hope for Today Cancer Support Group Inc., is a beneficial organization and catalyst for positive change which should be specially recognized for its impeccable community service and many superb contributions to caring for cancer patients and their families.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 10:55 am and is filed under In The News.
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