SOMC has a Breast Cancer Compassion Fund and a SOMC Compassion Fund, which help cancer patients afford treatment.
“The Breast Cancer Compassion Fund started a few years ago with Dr. Vincent Scarpinato. When he came to town he recognized a need,” said Wendi Waugh, director of SOMC Cancer Services. “He wanted to establish a fund that would help people who are undeserved.”
“The fund has been so successful for breast cancer that we created the SOMC Compassion Fund,” Waugh said.
She said the SOMC Compassion Fund would provide similar services as the Breast Cancer Compassion Fund but for all cancer.
Waugh said these funds have made it possible to help purchase necessities for patients such as tires for their cars. “There was a patient who was newly diagnosed with breast cancer who was about to be evicted from her home. Through the fund we were able to ensure she stayed in her home. These are a couple of the countless examples of how the Compassion Fund has helped people,”Waugh said.
Waugh said the funds have help hundreds of people.
One of the several events being planned this October to help raise money is called Paint Portsmouth Pink, scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21.
“My goal is to sell 6,000 pink T-shirts to this community,” Waugh said. “We are asking everyone to wear their pink shirts.
All proceeds from the T-shirts will go to the SOMC Compassion Fund.
The T-shirts are available at the Gift of Hope Boutique inside the SOMC Cancer Center and at the SOMC Gift Gallery in the lobby of the SOMC Main Campus.
Other events in October include free breast cancer screenings at the SOMC Cancer Center. They will be 4:30-6 p.m. Oct. 18, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Shawnee State Soccer will host a “Pink Out” at 2 and 4 p.m. Oct. 19. Then, on Oct. 23 from 4-6 p.m. there will be a Pink Zumba outside the SOMC Cancer Center.
For more information about Breast Cancer Awareness month activities call 740-356-7465.
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