Mission of Hope Cancer Fund

The telemarketer told me her group used to campaign the candle fundraiser for the Marine Corps, which I used to donate to. She talked some smack on whoever runs the Marine Corps nonprofit for no longer using her telemarketing services and asked me to buy a candle from Mission of Hope instead. I declined and am glad I did after reading other comments from people who have checked Mission of Hope's tax forms and have found out that very little money goes to actually help people in need.

I have a friend who is terminally ill with cancer and has reached out to this organization a year ago. They completed the paperwork and did everything they were supposed to do. They have spoken to three different people who tell them every time that the director hasn't reviewed their account yet. The last time they called they were told that he still hasn't reviewed their account but they could help themselves by having an auction? He is terminally ill and unable to go to the store let alone throw an auction. If he could "help himself" he wouldn't be reaching out to a charity for help. I feel like he has been mislead and I'm curious how many other cancer patients have received this same treatment.

Been a donor for the past three years. This time for the first time, I actually looked into the organization to see where my $25 went to. They told me that it went to the 300 patients that needed financial support to continue with their cancer therapy. I downloaded their Form 990, which is their tax return, and found out in 2012 that they had 670k worth of donations, and 470k (70%) went to fundraising costs (???), and 140k went to "other" expenses (21%), and salaries were 40k (6%) leaving only $17,666 of excess donations. Not an accountant, but this organization looks like it runs for the benefit of the fundraisers, (Ronald F. Doddy & Associates, of Essexville, Michigan ($469,797). Disappointing, won't contribute ever again.

I believe that this organization is being fraudulent in claiming that their primary purpose is "to provide Direct Financial Assistance to cancer patients and their families." Their IRS Form 990 available for years 2008-2010 indicates that they have spent OVER 75% of their revenue annually on professional fundraising fees and approximately 2.5% on direct financial assistance to cancer patients. Personally, I'd be very curious to know whether or not the Executive Director (Rock Mangus) is related to the owner of the fundraising organization that they employ.

Mission of Hope Cancer Fund, (MHCF), is a both a unique and effective nonprofit. They provide financial assistance to cancer patients enabling them to fight the daily battle this dreadful illness demands. No, MHCF does have labs filled with research doctors, but that do have the gas card for the patient that without it, would miss their chemo-therapy treatment. They do have the night's stay at a motel close to the hospital that makes it possible for the family to travel the long distance for treatment. They understand that cancer attacks not only the cells in the human body but equally attacks the family's financial stability by robbing them of paychecks, and increasing both medical and non-medical costs alike.

Founded by a cancer survivor, Rock Mangus, MHCF understands the plight and burden faced by not only caner patients, but their families as well. This is a non-profit that "puts their money where their words are" daily. One only needs to look at the number of former clients now serving as volunteers for the organization to measure the true impact that MHCF makes.

I have been a board member of the Mission of Hope Cancer Fund for the past 8 years. During this time I have lost a few relatives to cancer. Our family has been fortunate enough to have had insurance and financial strength to weather the storm but there are many many families who cannot. I have witnessed first hand the gratitude of affected families who we have been able to help. Through our founders financial help and more importantly first hand compassion, cancer patients have been able to continue treatment and keep a positive attitude in their fight against a horrible affliction.

I have been a board member for 16 yrs & have witnessed the committment & personal sacrifice of the founder/cancer survivor in assisting the clients of the Mission of Hope Cancer Fund.

There is a real need out there for direct financial assistance to cancer patients & their families.

My father died from lung cancer about 16 years ago. We know how hard it is on the family to try to give him all the care that he needs and not have any help financially. Awhile later we met Rock Mangus.. the executive director of Mission of Hope Cancer Fund. My husband was able to help with one of Rock's first fundraisers. I have volunteered for MHCF, now I am a part time employee. I have seen first hand how clients have been helped. I have been able to talk to clients and understand their grief and fear. The one thing that I love the most about this organization is how much Rock truly cares about the clients. He is the director of the organization, but still takes time to hand deliver the gas cards to client that are local. He goes to clients benefit dinners. He is involved with every aspect of every client. We need help though. If you or anyone you know could give time or financial help please let us know.... MHCF@cancerfund.org

I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer on two separate occasions in 2001 & 2002. After a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and five years of oral medication, I had a recurrence a year and a half ago. This time, surgery, chemo, radiation and now oral medication again. I should mention in between my two cancer treatments, my husband had two devastating accidents, one of which he was air lifted to an out of town hospital. This past December he then had to have back surgery. Needless to say, our medical bills continued to mount, creating much worry and hardship as our capability to work to pay for them lessened. I heard of Mission of Hope and called and had a very comforting discussion with Rock Mangus. Not only is he an inspiration with his own survivorship, but an Angel sent from Heaven with his financial assistance. I received some assistance on three of my largest bills and I am so very, very grateful. Thank you so much for the kindness and generous gifts that you have given me. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart. Cathy

My name is Bill and I am on the board of trustees here at the Mission of Hope Cancer Fund in Michigan. I am proud to be part of the organization. A while back there was an individual from Social Actions (www.socialactions.com) who expressed concern with our financials. I, and the executive director of our organization have met with this individual and have cleared up the MIS UNDERSTANDING. We appreciated the concern and are glad that we were able to clear up the situation. It was nice to meet with a representative from Social Actions and clear up the mis understanding. BILL NURMI

I received a call today asking to donate to this organization in the form of a cookbook purchase, which would be delivered to my door Monday. I asked for them to call me back after I'd had a chance to review their website (CancerFund.org). On the website I saw the GuideStar logo and clicked through until I could see their 990's (tax returns). From what I can tell the 2008 990 showed that: * Mission of Hope raised over $325,000 in 2008, all of it through a telemarketing vendor. The vendor kept $238,000 in fees (73%). * Mission of Hope spent $46,000 (14%) delivering services that would benefit people with cancer. Of that amount, $39,200 was for general assistance (answering questions over the phone, for example) amd giving out information at health fairs and similar events. Only $8,600 (2.6%) went to "direct financial assistance", which they state on their homepage as their "primary purpose." I'm very aware of how important it is to assess nonprofits on more than financials, but these ratios are very, very troubling.