FLORENCE — For Judy Bibbo, cancer treatment is about more than state of the art technology and facilities. It’s about creating a community for patients to feel understood, valued and supported by medical professionals. That’s exactly what the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research’s Helping Oncology Patients Everday Fund, also known as the HOPE Fund, does.
By getting connected to professionals who care, cancer patients are supported through a comprehensive program that offers everything from gas to groceries to meaningful conversations with people who understand what cancer patients are going through. “The technology is wonderful. The buildings are beautiful,” Bibbo, vice president of cancer services said.
“But the people are what is important because that’s the heart of it.” Approximately 400 people attended the 25th annual McLeod Health "An Evening of Hope" Benefit on Sept. 19 at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center.
Celebrating a decade of the HOPE Fund, the McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research welcomed the community to its 25th Annual Cancer Benefit on Sept. 19 at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. Complete with guest performances, food and testimonies from cancer survivors, the event benefited the fund that meets patients where they’re at.
$6.2 million and 77 jobs coming to Florence thanks to a Darlington tech company's relocation When patients are diagnosed with cancer, it can feel overwhelming, Bibbo said. Not only do patients have to deal with the fear and anxiety that comes with a diagnosis — they also have to sort out complicated insurance issues, figure out how to get transportation to and from treatment appointments and maintain proper nutrition throughout their cancer journey.
Bibbo said many cancer patients travel from all over the Pee Dee to get care at the center. Helen Gooden, one of the cancer survivors who was honored at the benefit, said via video at the benefit that she had to travel 45 minutes every day for 33 rounds of radiation treatments. The HOPE Fund was able to give her gas gift cards to lift some of that burden.
For 10 years now, the HOPE Fund has been offering this kind of assistance, breaking down barriers for patients in order to provide holistic care that goes beyond your basic idea of cancer treatment. Lynne Head, one of the cancer survivors who was honored at the event, has seen the kind of care that the Center for Cancer Treatment and Research provides from both sides. A nurse, who has worked in healthcare for more than 35 years, Head was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2023.
Florence-Darlington Tech apprenticeships give students close look at nursing Now, working with lung cancer patients, she can tell them she went through something similar and offer words of encouragement about the doctors who not only work with her but also treated her. Through the HOPE Fund, Head received a gift certificate to the gift shop and was able to purchase a sunhat with extra UV protection ahead of a beach trip — something she hadn’t expected she might need when she was diagnosed with cancer. “Everybody needs something different, but the HOPE Foundation is there to provide for the needs of every individual that needs something, and even though somebody may not think they need something, they will,” Head said.
Fran Coleman and The Emerald Empire provided entertainment at the McLeod Health 25th annual "An Evening of Hope" Benefit Sept. 19 at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. Coleman also served as the master of ceremonies.
During the event, the audience was treated to live performances that had people on their feet and dancing. Performers included Fran Coleman and the Emerald Empire Band, The Shirelles, The Drifters, Sharmeika McDuffie and even McLeod's own Dr. Rajesh Bajaj, an oncologist.
The Shirelles and The Drifters were groups created for a Florence Little Theatre production. Along with honoring Head and Gooden, the event also honored cancer survivors Leroy Blackwell, Joe Bibbo, Daryn Sasser and Michael Branham, who were all featured in videos showcasing how McLeod helped each of them as they underwent cancer treatment. More information about the HOPE Fund can be found on McLeod’s website .
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