A cancer diagnosis is news no one wants to hear, however it’s a journey many families have personally dealt with. For individuals, caretakers, and their families who are impacted by cancer, the
Isabella Community Cancer Services provides resources and services to help cancer patients ease the financial burden of the disease by covering medical expenses and transportation costs related to cancer treatments.
The Isabella County Cancer Services (CCS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that’s been around since 1982. Every year since, their team of volunteers have helped collect tax-deductible donations, gifts, and memorials in support of their mission. Plus, they’ve furthered cancer research, patient support, and education in the county.
Each September, the non-profit organization hosts an annual event,
Into the Light, to help bring people together to reflect and raise awareness about cancer. This year’s event was on Sept. 6, and featured a survivor’s candlelight ceremony and walk.
“We had a great evening celebrating survivors and honoring those we’ve lost,” says Laurie Peters, the publicity and newsletter editor, and a Community Cancer Services Board of Directors member. “We raised over $35,000 which is tremendous and will go directly back to the community members we help.”
Peters originally attended the walk and purchased luminaries to honor her father and stepmother. In 2014, the cause became even more close to her family, after her husband was diagnosed with stage four skin cancer. She felt a passion for this specific cause and officially joined the organization in 2019.
“Since that time, I’ve learned a lot about what the organization does and provides for the community,” she says. “The Community Cancer Services is here for the residents of Isabella County specifically. What we do is help people with gas, mileage reimbursements, and lodging reimbursements. We try to help people with the things that aren’t covered by your insurance, and we do other things by special requests.”
Service coordinator Vonda Barker helps refer patients and clients to other local organizations that provide services for cancer patients, including appointment scheduling, grief meetings, and transportation.
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Photo courtesy Laurie Peters.Isabella County Community Cancer Services Into the Light event on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
This network of guidance and support is crucial for those suffering, says Peters.
“We believe that everybody needs to know that they’re not alone,” she says. “That’s a huge thing. Nobody fights it alone. We’re trying really hard so that people don’t have to alter their entire lifestyle to deal with their cancer treatments. It’s a very expensive disease.”
Over the past 42 years, the Isabella CCS has helped over 2,000 residents by providing over $1 million to help combat the costs associated with cancer.
This year marks the 25th annual Into the Light fundraiser—their biggest event of the year—at the Isabella County Fairgrounds.
The event included over 1,000 luminaries decorated and personalized for loved ones of the past and present lit throughout the grounds.
“We have a gorgeous path that loops through some of the barns at the fairgrounds, and they’re lit with candles,” Peters says. “People walk, look, reminisce and celebrate these people who are survivors, some who haven’t survived, and the people who have been touched by the people in our community.”
Although a heavy topic, many find a sense of comfort and hope hearing from the night’s speakers, witnessing the memorial walk, participating in a singalong of “This Little Light of Mine,” food, entertainment, and a celebratory survivor’s walk.
Aside from their big fundraising event, the nonprofit touches people’s lives daily throughout the calendar year, too.
“I think the biggest comfort is knowing that we’re reaching people,” Peters says. “Every single month, our expenses have gone up a lot, and we always say we're really happy we’re reaching people; but the double-edge sword of that is that it means there is a lot of cancer out there.”
The Isabella CCS also hosts a Veteran’s Day concert, in conjunction with the Mt. Pleasant Community Band, held at Central Michigan University in November. Folks are invited to donate their time and dollars to the organization any day of the year.
“People can get a hold of us to volunteer or to request help,” Peters says. “If you need help or someone you know, you can go
online or to our
Facebook page. If you need help directly, you can reach out directly to Vonda at 989-772-2524.”
Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Commission on Aging in Mt. Pleasant (2200 South Lincoln Road) and the public is welcome to join.