Cancer patients in northern B.C. will have an easier time making ends meet thanks to the creation of the Order of the Eastern Star Comfort Fund.
Patients at the B.C. Cancer Agency Centre for the North will be able to access the money to help pay for incidentals not covered as part of their treatment.
"It could be financial support for accommodation, transportation, meals - anything that they need assistance with," cancer centre regional operation director Pam Tobin explained after accepting a $15,000 cheque from the Order of the Eastern Star.
Many other charitable groups are already active in the community to help cancer patients more easily access services, like the Kordyban Lodge run by the Canadian Cancer Society or the shuttle service offered by the Free Masons. Tobin said the the cancer centre will continue to work with those groups when dispersing money from the comfort fund.
"This will be an enhancement to that support, so if a patient falls between the cracks or just needs that extra support, that's what this fund will do," she said.
The close to 100 members of the Nechako chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star began fundraising for the fund in 2008, shortly after it was announced Prince George would be home to a cancer centre, holding events like auctions, garage sales and dances to get the required money.
In addition to raising money for the comfort fund, Nechako branch members have helped out by making cancer dressings (for more on this project, see next Tuesday's Citizen). Provincially, the organization has bursary programs to help medical students interested in specializing in oncology and the Erma Boyce library fund to help provide patients with materials to give them more information about their medical condition.
Comfort funds are common at other B.C. Cancer Agency sites, but this is the first one named after a service organization. Now that it's up and running the provincial cancer agency will add to it from other donated dollars. Individuals or groups will also be able to direct funds to the comfort fund when they make their donation.
Tobin said it's too early to say how much money will be accessed by patients on an annual basis.
