The Grapevine: Recalling the Harrison County Cancer Association's Creation and How it Lives on Today
By Rosalyn Queen on January 19, 2023 from The Grapevine
You know when you move, you kind of get an education. I swore this would be my last time, so I have worked diligently sorting things and getting rid of items that I have kept for one reason or another.
When going through my files I came across a tablet that was entitled Harrison County Cancer Association. I was asked to join this organization by David Young and within the year I was elected president of the organization. Little did I know then what my future held as far as cancer was concerned. But I was adamant about being involved with this deadly disease to help individuals and families who had been touched by it.
We had a form that would be filled out by the individual seeking assistance, and it would be presented to the membership to vote on the amount of assistance we would give them. Most often we helped with medications and bandages and dressings. There were times when I tried to encourage the group to help families with gas and overnight accommodations at the hospital. Some members opposed this but there were times when they did approve this type of assistance. We purchased a VCR for the Cancer Department for the hospital so that patients could watch tapes to educate them about cancer.
We met monthly, usually at a restaurant for lunch. We tried very hard to be involved with Hospice, the local Health Department and other groups that had direct contact with cancer patients. We spoke to the bar association and asked them to guide their clients into supporting the organization. We even contacted the Speakers Bureau to help us get information out about the Association and its mission.
Over the years this organization helped many cancer patients in Harrison County. As cancer became more serious and prevalent in our area, the hospitals and universities became more involved, and the American Cancer Association headed up fundraisers and educational reports. It was at this time that the Harrison County Cancer Association decided that action had to be taken to either grow or dissolve this group.
After much research it was decided that it could no longer continue functioning as a 501 C3 business. It was decided to contact the United Way and they would continue with the same mission as the Association. An endowment was set up for the same purpose as the HCCA adhered to and we entered into a written agreement with the United Way. On January 10, 2005, the HCCA was dissolved and a plan to distribute their assets was adopted by the United Way.
Over the years some of those individuals who were members of the HCCA were Mary Harrison, Mary Straface, Connie Leuliette, Dr. Dale Simmons, Dave Spelsburg, David Young, Wilma Pertz, Mr. Garrett, Mr. Moore, Mr. Poling, Barbara Palmer, Dr. Oliverio, Regina Lucente, M. Merrills, Dr. Gordon, and Dr. Williamson. All of these members were dedicated and sincere about helping cancer patients.
Today, the United Way has a grant process and interested individuals can get information by contacting their office.
There are many other stories that I will share with you that I have come across in my move. Some you will be interested in and some you will not, but some will only prove that our goals remain the same even with the passage of time.
A very happy birthday to my sister, Joan and brother, Bill, both on January 15. Stay happy and healthy and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
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