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Funds will go toward supportive care services that are typically unfunded
LOMA LINDA, CA – August 19, 2016 – Stater Bros. Charities and Inland Women Fighting Cancer made a special delivery to Loma Linda University Cancer Center (LLUCC) Wednesday, Aug. 17. They presented a check for $175,000 to the center, which is a portion of the funds raised at the 8th annual Believe Walk in October 2015.
Judy Chatigny, MSN, RN, executive director, LLUCC, expressed her gratitude to those present. “These gifts are what afford us the ability to provide services to the patients that are otherwise unfunded,” she said.
The $175,000 will be dedicated toward supportive care services for cancer patients, which are typically not covered by insurance companies.
“This donation gives us the means to provide whole person care to our patients – not just treating the cancer but the emotional and spiritual well-being of them as well,” Chatigny added.
Supportive care services are those that address challenges with adjusting to the illness; the stresses of medical treatment; emotional needs; spiritual needs, relationships and caregiving; and coping with pain, insomnia and other symptoms. Because these are services typically not covered by insurance, they can cause additional stress for patients with a cancer diagnosis.
During the check presentation, Mark Reeves, MD, PhD, director of the Cancer Center, also gave an update on the success of funds that were donated the previous year, which were used for the implementation of a genetic risk assessment program.
“Over the last year, we have been able to fully implement a technology that systematically assesses patients’ risk for various types of cancers,” Reeves said. “This is an enormously powerful tool for patients that allows us to treat and care for them individually.”
Pete Van Helden, CEO of Stater Bros. Markets, highlighted the importance of the annual Believe Walk, which started in 2008.
“Loma Linda University Cancer Center has a reputation of giving back and we try to do the same thing,” he said. “One way is through the Believe Walk.”
Van Helden stated the first walk had 1,500 walkers, which was unexpected for the inaugural event. The walk has now grown exponentially to roughly 12,000 participants and has raised $3 million for cancer research in the Inland Empire.
The 9th annual Believe Walk will take place in Redlands, Sunday, Oct. 2.
