It Takes a Borough
by Cate Murway
More than 11 million Americans alive today have faced a diagnosis of cancer.
Those recently diagnosed may be experiencing a wide variety of emotions: fear, anger, sadness, guilt, helplessness and anxiety. Financial worries can be an additional significant burden and the economic impact can be a source of stress. National cancer care expenditures have been steadily increasing in the United States.
Cancer costs billions of dollars. It also costs us the people we love. Reducing barriers to cancer care is critical in the fight to eliminate suffering and death due to the disease.
Fear is very real but so is hope.
While some cancers remain difficult to treat, other strains are succumbing to new treatments and techniques that give better results than ever before and finally, mortality rates are falling.
Thanks to the generosity of area residents and the proceeds from fundraisers, area cancer patients who struggle with the out-of-pocket costs of treatment can now receive assistance through the No-Pay Copay Fund at St. Mary Medical Center in Newtown.
When Pennsbury Racquet and Athletic Club spin-class teacher, Terri Scanlon was undergoing treatment for breast cancer two years ago at St. Mary Medical Center, she was overwhelmed by the high costs she incurred with copays and out-of-pocket expenses during the course of her treatment. “The debt I incurred was a financial hardship. There were significant medical funding challenges that made a peaceful healing process more difficult.” Her vision for the No-Pay Copay was based on her personal experiences.
Terri had also worked for nearly a decade in the Chief Housing Officer role prior to becoming the Managing Director of Reslife.Net, a newly formed company offering information and services about the college and residential experience to housing professionals, resident assistants, students and parents.
Her passion remains in her mission to assist those struggling to pay for their life saving treatments.
“There is good synergy in the ‘tons of people’ involved in coordinating this 11th Annual Mother’s Day Walk through Historic Bristol Borough.”
The adult entry fee received before May 1, 2011 is $30.00. Registration for children ages 12 years and under is $15.00.
All monies raised will be used to help the local community cancer patients pay for insurance co-payments for treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy through the St. Mary Mission and Community Health Department, administered by the Director of Hospital Philanthropy, Heather Procaccino.
St. Mary Medical has been honored as a 2010 Path to Excellence Award winner in three categories among hospitals with more than 250 beds. St. Mary ranked second in nursing communication, fifth in the overall hospital category, and fifth in the pain management category.
In an article in the Bucks County Courier Times, Wrightstown philanthopist, Gene Epstein is quoted, “ I felt that NoPay-CoPay was too important not to help right now.”
Terri Scanlon and her volunteer organization earned a matching $10,000.00 donation from the Bucks County philanthopist.
We are all inspired by true stories of success and this one is local. The community of historic Bristol on the Delaware is bonding together toward a common goal with teamwork at every level.
Helen Lynch Romano read about Terri Scanlon and her No-Pay Copay endeavor in the newspaper and made the decision to go the extra mile. She contacted tax collector Anna Larrisey for advice regarding insurance for her vision of a local No-Pay Copay function.
Former Mayor, the indefatigable Joseph [Joe] A. Saxton had once shared, “Anna is the epitome of a volunteer; so involved in every facet of the Borough’s life. She truly represents the fabric of the community.”
President Mary McIlvain, Board member Joe Larrisey and his wife, Anna have secured sponsorship of the insurance for the walk through the Celtic Heritage Foundation.
Borough residents, Sue Duffy and former Jones New York buyer, also the newly appointed chaplain of the Bucks Moose Lodge #1169, Jane Sutton donate the water and assist with “jeep jaunts” if and when necessary for any of the walk participants. They have volunteered together for the last 6 or 8 years. The restrooms at the Moose Lodge at 2299 Radcliffe Street will be open to the walk participants.
KellyAnn Bellerby proprietor of the Glamorous Life on Mill Street, with her refreshingly upbeat perspective of community involvement, will be providing water as she has done for the previous Mother’s Day Walks through Bristol.
Puss n' Boots Tavern on Trenton Road in Fairless Hills is hosting a complimentary luncheon after the walk and Helen’s friends and family will donate some of the food. Helen’s sisters, Marie, Dorothy and Pat Chamberlain and her brother Jerry Lynch support her fundraising efforts.
Joey G’s Gourmet Deli in Newtown will also provide some of the post walk nourishment. Owner, Joe Garvey donated the No-Pay Copay banner and his Newtown Rock Softball League has adopted the fund as their charity. The female athletes collected donations on their opening day on April 17th and will be walking the 5K.
A former business collegue and friend, Bristol resident, Ray Johnson, owner of RJ Interactive Multi Media Photography & Web productions and 20dollarbeats, donated the web-site. For more information and to register for the walk, visit www.nopaycopaywalk.com.
The national organization, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians [LAOH] will sponsor the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament who walk and the Bristol Borough Emergency Services will direct people on the walkway.
No Pay- Copay is a great way for caring people to help others who are being treated for cancer and going through the toughest time of their life. A report by the American Cancer Society and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that cancer patients with private health insurance still face major challenges paying for life saving treatments.
Take the challenge and make a real, positive difference.
There is still time to register by mail, online or in person.
Registrations are from 10:00AM-2:00PM
This Saturday, April 23rd at Joey G’s Gourmet Deli, 861B Newtown-Yardley Road, Newtown and
next Saturday, April 30th at the Romano residence, 1615 Wilson Avenue, Bristol.
The No Pay- Copay fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the donations are tax deductible.
Walk Date: Sunday May 8th, 2011
Location: Bristol Wharf - Time: 8:30am
Walk Times:
8:00 a.m. T-Shirt Pick-Up
8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
8:45 a.m. Runners Start
8:50 a.m. Walkers Start
8:55 a.m. Walkers w/dogs Start
9:00 a.m. One Mile Fun Walkers Start
Recommend a Spotlight. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
