Grady County cancer patients will receive help with needs associated with their treatment and survivorship thanks to $6,000 in grant money awarded this month by the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition.

Grady County Help Agencies, Inc. received the 2010 Cancer Care Grant from Cancer Coalition funds donated by individuals and corporations specifically for the grants. To date, $125,000 has been awarded to local community non-profits since the grants were established in 2006.

“This grant is going to make a tremendous difference in our ability to help our needy citizens affected by cancer,” said Cindy Johnson, director of the help agency that routinely aids more than 470 individual clients per month, many who have needs related to cancer. Through the grant, the agency will assist cancer patients with utilities, rent, medications, and travel to medical appointments.

In addition, the Cancer Coalition provided grants of $2000 to each of the cancer centers in the region – Archbold Memorial Hospital, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, South Georgia Medical Center and Tift Regional Medical Center – to support the centers’ cancer patient assistance programs.

"We are so pleased to be able to provide funding to local organizations that assist cancer patients in their communities," said Diane Fletcher, CEO of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition. Non-profit community-based health or advocacy organizations that directly support cancer patients were encouraged to apply for the grants.

Grady County Health Agencies Inc. was established in 1984 as a collaborative effort among churches and service organizations who sought to provide help for needy citizens. The help agency is staffed by 28 volunteers and 13 board members.

“Our mission is to provide emergency assistance to those in need as efficiently and fairly as possible,” said Johnson, who also serves as treasurer on the agency’s board of directors. “We do our best to help any Grady County citizen who is having an emergency situation, and having a special fund set aside for cancer clients will increase our ability to help ease that burden for so many more of those affected by the disease.”

For information about Grady County Help Agency, call 229-377-2709. For information about the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition and its programs, please visit them online at www.swgacancer.org, or call 229-312-1700.