Hope Cancer Resources adds virtual support

Tell us about your organization: • Mission:

Hope Cancer Resources’ mission is to provide compassionate, professional cancer support and education in the Northwest Arkansas region today and tomorrow. We have been serving Northwest Arkansas since 2009 and currently assist more than 4,000 cancer patients annually. • Services provided: Cancer impacts patients, their families and caregivers physically, psychologically and financially. Our people and programs address each of those areas, as we serve cancer patients and their caregivers in the following ways: Transportation is available for any cancer-related appointments; emotional support, therapeutic counseling and support groups provided by licensed social workers; financial assistance with prescriptions, gas cards and other everyday living expenses (such as mortgage, rent, car payments, utility bills); cessation counseling and programs from our tobacco treatment specialist; Spanish interpretation; survivor services including individualized exercise programs created by our certified personal trainer, along with yoga and meditation. We also provide a variety of prevention and education offerings to the community. All of our services are provided free of charge.

• Who is eligible? Cancer patients living, or being treated, in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties are eligible for our services. We can assist if you are being treated here, or in the event you need to leave the area for your treatment. Hope Cancer Resources’ services are provided regardless of the type of cancer you have. • How can services be accessed? Our social workers have a presence in local oncology clinics and are integrated into their care plans. We receive referrals through area physicians and cancer providers. In addition, we can be reached through our website – hopecancerresources.org – or by calling (479) 361-5847. • What are your organization’s most pressing needs? Especially with the uncertainties currently presented by covid-19, our greatest need is financial support for our programs and services. Even in times of a pandemic, cancer occurs and progresses – and covid-19 adds a significant level of anxiety in a cancer patient’s life. We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to continue to meet their needs and help them walk through all that they are facing. • Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they? We have opportunities to place volunteers in cancer clinics where they can be of service to patients and staff, to serve in staging our events and also assist with patient communication and administrative duties at our office in Springdale. • What other ways may people help? If you know of someone dealing with a cancer diagnosis, please mention Hope Cancer Resources to them in the event we can assist in some way. • Why do you work for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission?

If so, what is it? I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to work for an organization that helps people at a time in their lives when they truly need the assistance. I am also thankful to work with a group of people who are truly concerned with, and work collaboratively toward improving, the welfare of others. Personally, I lost my dad to cancer 16 years ago, and I’ve seen how it can affect a family. Our organization supports cancer patients, caregivers and family members in a variety of ways, and I love that about what we do.

Holt