Dear editor,

I just wanted to take a moment to give a public thank you to some of the generous members of your community. Earlier this year the Montgomery Cancer Center was no longer able to continue delivering medical oncology services in Selma. Many of those patients who were being treated there then began coming to Montgomery for their treatments and doctors’ visits. About the time this change occurred, late March, the Cancer Wellness Foundation was working with a reunion group from Southside High School to coordinate a motorcycle ride around Selma and Dallas County. They wanted to conduct a fundraiser to memorialize the seemingly large number of their classmates who had lost their battles against cancer. This group came together to have fun, remember their friends, and help members of their community having difficulties managing the financial stressors of dealing with cancer.

Six months later, we received a call from a member of the reunion planning committee from Keith High School. Completely separate from and without any solicitation, they too contacted us with a desire to help cancer patients in their community, while memorializing classmates and loved ones also lost to cancer. They held a walk in the morning and awarded a check to the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama that evening at their banquet.

Our Foundation assists cancer patients in Central Alabama with transportation, medication and community services. With a staff of three full-time and three part-time employees, an annual budget of approximately $450,000, we were able to deliver in excess of $5.2 million in services in 2009. Patients, who need help with the cost of transportation, or with the cost of their medications, and even getting temporary assistance with utilities and rent while they are ill, have a place to turn.

What a wonderful statement about the commitment these two groups have to their hometown, and to the people who still live there!

We at the Cancer Wellness foundation have had the opportunity to work with such lovely people from cities all over Central Alabama. But Selma has stepped up twice this year to help their neighbors. Having received the kindness and generosity of two disparate groups within the same community, I think I can make a general statement about your community…Selma Cares!

Many thanks to the good folks from Southside High School and from Keith High School. You make a difference.

Susan Mayer Bruchis

Executive Director, Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama