Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation Inc

Programs: Patient screenings and grants: cancer can be devastating not only on the patient, but can also place a great burden on the affected family, their spousal relationships, and the well being of the children of a cancer family. When a child is the patient, families may often overlook or be forced to compromise their personal needs and day-to-day financial obligations in order to care for the child. Children may often be forced into an absent or diminished christmas due the overwhelming costs of unreimbursed cancer treatments. Additionally, when direct family members are unable to provide caregiver services to the patient, these duties often fall to extended family of close friends who give up a good deal of their own life and funds to provide this needed care for their loved one. The gccf financial grants program is aimed at providing some relief to these burdens so the patient can better focus on treatment and recovery. The cash award grants are awarded on needs-based circumstances. (22 community individuals were assisted by these grants in 2010)

scholarship grants: we welcome the opportunity to offer limited scholarship stipends to young cancer survivors as well as young members of cancer affected families. We want these young persons who have triumphed over the challenge of cancer to focus on the future and achieve their goals. We believe this investment will pay dividends in the creation of future careers in engineering, health care, business, education and other fields. The program is intended to allow students to pursue an undergraduate degree from an accredited florida university, community college or vocational technical school. The gccf initially plans to award 7 to 10 scholarship grants per year, with each scholarship worth up to $1,000. Scholarships may be paid directly to the accredited institution. Previous recipients still in undergraduate study may reapply on an annual basis. A volunteer committee, with no relationships to any applicants, will use the following criteria to evaluate the scholarship applications: 1. Submitted essay, 2. Academic achievement, 3. Community service, and 4. Financial need (12 area students received financial assistance in 2010)

children's grants: cancer can be devastating not only on the patient, but can also place a great burden on the patient's family, their spousal relationships, and the well being of the children of cancer families. When a child is the patient, families may often overlook or be forced to compromise their personal needs and day-to-day financial obligations in order to care for the child. Children may often be forced into an absent or diminished christmas due the overwhelming costs of unreimbursed cancer treatments. (11 children were served in 2010)

family & caregiver grants: cancer can be devastating not only on the patient, but can also place a great burden on the patient's family, their spousal relationships, and the well being of the children of cancer families. Additionally, when direct family members are unable to provide caregiver services to the patient, these duties often fall to extended family or close friends who give up a good deal of their own life and funds to provide this needed care for their loved one. (15 families were served in 2010)

newly diagnosed packages: newly diagnosed baskets for recently diagnosed cancer patients are often prepared and distributed by gccf volunteers and packed with available educational information, local resource information, available financial resources, local merchant coupons and gifts. The basket typically consists of a bag, or tote, for women and a tool bag for men. The women's totes are large enough to be used during chemotherapy to carry blankets, hobbies and reading materials. The literature inserted into the baskets will be selected based on the individual's type of cancer. (approximately 35 packages were distributed in 2010)

patient education: the community cancer library officially opened in 2008 and continues to be expanded with additional educational materials as well as comfort items for patients. Originated in 2007 and located in the local community, the library is stocked with cancer awareness, screening, treatment and coping educational materials. The materials are selected to provide the patient access to professional information which will allow them to converse more intelligently with their health professional and make more informed decisions about their health care. All educational materials are available to all community individuals free of charge. Other awareness training sessiona and cancer seminars are also available to the community at no charge. (an estimated 600 individuals were aided by the library and otheer venues in 2010).

the breast cancer support group & other: the pink ribbon ladies- in 2005, gccf added a second cancer support group designed to share experiences and community resources regarding women's health and cancer. These "breast cancer allies of south lake county" meet monthly in clermont with other breast cancer survivors and learn to 'live beyond breast cancer. ' membership is 50-60 individuals and monthly gatherings usually include 20-30 attendees. This group provides area women the opportunity to support one another and discuss treatments, coping and physical issues in a private environment. (approximately 60 individuals were served in 2010)