Lending a hand to allow patients to focus on healing

Donors can designate contributions to Adams County Cancer Patient Help Fund

When the WellSpan Adams Health Center opens in December 2007, people living with cancer in Adams County and northern Maryland will benefit from the area's most complete system of care.

Recognizing that the emotional, social and psychological aspects of cancer often require as much attention as the physical, WellSpan's cancer program will offer extensive educational resources, financial and nutritional counseling and social services.

A designated fund through Gettysburg Hospital Foundation will offer financial assistance to Adams County residents battling cancer.

The Adams County Cancer Patient Help Fund works through the support services of the York Cancer Center.
For the first time this year, donors will be able to designate their contributions to the Adams County Cancer Patient Help Fund.
This option is expected to increase the number of Adams County cancer patients who receive financial assistance.
Last year, the Cancer Patient Help Fund, which was established in 1995, assisted 185 families and spent $350,000. Assistance went to 16 Adams County families for a total of $50,000.

Every dollar raised in support of the Cancer Patient Help Fund goes directly to the aid of patients, helping to cover such things as living expenses, pain medication and many miscellaneous expenses that have the potential to be financially devastating to patients and families.

"The patient help fund exists to make financial assistance available to lessen the impact on individuals and families," said Scott McNair, executive director of Gettysburg Hospital Foundation. "By easing this burden, the Cancer Patient Help Fund allows patients to focus their energies on healing."

The fund receives no state or federal money. It relies on financial gifts from individuals and businesses to provide assistance to patients

For more information or to make a contribution to the Adams County Cancer Patient Help Fund, please contact Gettysburg Hospital Foundation by calling 337-4175.