In preparation for my summer bike-riding adventures, I'm participating in the 15th Annual Loreen Miller Bike Ride in North Spokane County!  Its one of the biggest fund raisers for Cancer Patient Care and one of the longest running Cancer-related bike rides in the nation!

Travelling the beautiful back roads and fields of North Spokane, I'll be riding 100 miles in support of this organization.  Please help support my ride and Cancer Paient Care by donating $5, $10, $25 or more!  Your donation not only helps their clients in need of assistance, but is also a great motivator for when the bike seat is digging in and my legs are tired!  Thanks for anything you can give to help out!!

About Cancer Patient Care:
http://www.cancerpatientcare.org

Cancer Patient Care was founded by volunteers in 1958. In the beginning, Cancer Patient Care was an agency that supported local cancer research. Recognizing the vast needs of low income cancer patients their mission changed. The focus turned to providing a wide array of services for access to health care and financial assistance for low income cancer patients and their families.

Their client base consists of people diagnosed with cancer and their families that fall below federal poverty guidelines. Cancer does not discriminate. The diagnosis can come at any time regardless of age, race, religion, gender, background, lifestyle or income. Most of their clients had meaningful employment at the time they were diagnosed with cancer. As a result of the disease many have lost their jobs, benefits and depleted financial resources they once had.

Their programs are unique and benefit an under-served group. They believe cancer patients should not be denied access to care, nor their families access to necessities, such as heat, lights and groceries, due to lack of funds. They assist by finding aid and supplying resources that otherwise may be unavailable. They also provide Social Support for the families and patients in need of a kind ear or shoulder to lean on.

Read the very inspirational stories about their clients: http://www.cancerpatientcare.org/client_stories.php!

Cancer Patient Care Programs include the following:
- Financial help for emergency needs like utilities and groceries (paid directly to the provider.)
- Transportation to cancer treatments.
- Home health care equipment (distributed from an in-house loan closet)
- Prostheses, Wigs, Scarves and other needed support.
- Non-prescription medical supplies, such as adult diapers and bed pads.
- Emotional support
- Liquid Food supplements - essential for weight maintenance.

Cancer Patient Care services are increasing at a rate of 12% per year. During 2005, Cancer Patient Care helped over 2,000 cancer patients and family members. Every month they provide services to over 200 clients that are dealing with cancer and provide health care equipment for more than 400.

Cancer Patient Care is the only organization in the community that provides support services for low-income families with cancer who are terminal and non terminal. All their services are provided at no-cost to the client. It is common for cancer patients to incur medical debt in excess of $100,000 per year. One prescription alone may cost $12,900 for five months.

$1000 can provide grocery vouchers for ten families with children for one month!
$500 can provide gas vouchers for transportation to cancer treatments for five patients for one month!
$300 can provide prescription assistance for one patient for one month!
$100 can keep the power from being shut off for one family!
$50 can provide nutritional supplement for one patient for one month!
$15 can provide one week of nutritional supplement for one patient!

Thank you so much for any donation you can make! :)