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The folks at Cancer Care Services have a tremendous commitment to help - and even bigger hearts!
- Our Staff
- History
- Board of Directors
- Financials
- Donors
Cancer Care Services Staff
Administration
Melanie Wilson
President & CEO
melanie@cancercareservices.org
Marilyn Garretson
Executive Assistant
marilyn@cancercareservices.org
Melanie Lara, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
mlara@cancercareservices.org
Todd Cooper-Dalton
Director of Operations
todd@cancercareservices.org
Kim Fulk
Finance Coordinator (AR)
kim@cancercareservices.org
Jill Plocar
Finance Coordinator (AP)
jill@cancercareservices.org
Savannah Garcia
Office Coordinator
savannah@cancercareservices.org
Fundraising
Deanna Stuart
Senior Development Director
deanna@cancercareservices.org
Laura Misuk, MPA
Director of Grants & Advocacy
laura@cancercareservices.org
Rhea Jackson
Donor Relations Manager
rhea@cancercareservices.org
Katherine B Ware, MBA
Development Marketing Coordinator
katherine@cancercareservices.org
Social Workers & Client Activities
Tracey Willingham, LMSW
Senior Program Director/Social Worker
HIPAA Security Officer
tracey@cancercareservices.org
James Earl II, LBSW, MPA
Program Director/Social Worker
Survivorship Navigator
james@cancercareservices.org
Margaritta Jackson, LBSW
Program Director/Social Worker
Caregiver Navigator
margaritta@cancercareservices.org
Annie Presley, LCSW, OSW-C
Community Counselor
annie@cancercareservices.org
Niels Falk, LMSW
Community/Clinic Social Worker
Intern Task Supervisor
niels@cancercareservices.org
Martti McMurry, MSW
Community Social Worker
martti@cancercareservices.org
Blanca Mendoza, LBSW, MSW
Program Manager, Bilingual Survivorship
Intern Supervisor
blanca@cancercareservices.org
Fernanda Valadez, BSW
Bilingual Community Social Worker
fernanda@cancercareservices.org
Megan Clifton
Client Connection Manager
megan@cancercareservices.org
Tamika Chambers
Financial Navigator
tamika@cancercareservices.org
Tori Mudge
Volunteer and Program Coordinator
tori@cancercareservices.org
Precious Harris
Targeted Outreach Navigator
precious@cancercareservices.org
Carlene King
Community Health Worker
carlene@cancercareservices.org
Kayla Plocar, MSW
Targeted Outreach
Arlington Social Worker
kayla@cancercareservices.org
Danni Howard
Data Coordinator
danni@cancercareservices.org
Dacia Whitaker, LMSW, OSW-C
Clinic Social Work Manager
dacia@cancercareservices.org
Erinn Anderson, LMSW
Clinic Social Worker
Erinn@cancercareservices.org
Brittany Thornton, LBSW
Clinic Social Worker
brittany@cancercareservices.org
Christi Jackson, LMSW
Clinic Social Worker
christi@cancercareservices.org
Emily Swearingen, LMSW
Clinic Social Worker
emily@cancercareservices.org
Lindsey Graham, MSW
Rural Clinic Social Worker
lindsey@cancercareservices.org
Registered Dietitians
Lisa Hall, RD, CSO, LD
Dietitian Manager
Registered Oncology Dietician
lisa.hall@usoncology.com or lisa@cancercareservices.org
Caryn Fields, MS, RD, LD, CNSC
Registered Oncology Dietician
caryn.fields@usoncology.com or caryn@cancercareservices.org
Organizational History and Mission.
Mission Statement: Cancer Care Services supports cancer patients, cares for the caregiver, and empowers survivors to reduce the impact of cancer in our community. It is our vision that everyone who is affected by cancer in our community will partner with Cancer Care Services to CONNECT, COPE, and THRIVE.
Cancer Care Services originated in 1946 when Fort Worth physicians observed the non-medical challenges that low-income cancer patients faced while undergoing treatment, such as loss of health insurance, lack of transportation to treatment, and the inability to afford prescription medications. In response, a group of compassionate physicians and community leaders created a unique and inventive organization for cancer patients. For more than 70 years, Cancer Care Services has been continuously providing financial and emotional support services to cancer patients, caregivers and survivors in Tarrant County. (We received tax exempt status from the IRS as a registered nonprofit organization in June, 1965.)
Community Need.
According to the American Cancer Society in 2017, 116,200 individuals living in Texas were expected to be diagnosed with cancer per year, and 40,260 will die of the disease (more than 100 people per day). According to 2017 data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 8,380 people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in Tarrant County alone. At the outset of a cancer diagnosis, cancer patients and their families must endure the stresses caused by physically demanding treatments and the health impairment, disability, fatigue and pain that can result. However, a cancer diagnosis can also lead to financial, emotional and mental distress that affects the overall quality of life of the cancer patient and their caregivers. Individuals with limited income may experience financial stress as they worry about how to access or keep from losing the health insurance coverage they need to pay for their treatment and other health-related expenses. In turn, the ongoing impact of cancer treatment can create emotional distress and mental health issues among cancer patients and caregivers, particularly for those who have a weak or absent social support system. As they intertwine, physical, psychological and social stressors decrease a patient’s quality of life and in turn their ability to survive cancer.
In fact, according to the findings of an observational study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, financial distress resulting from out-of-pocket cancer treatment costs increases the risk of death by 79%. The Association of Oncology Social Work conducted a survey of cancer patients in which more than half indicated cancer treatment costs negatively impacted their focus on recovery. Of those patients with major financial challenges, 66% reported suffering from depression and anxiety. Altogether, these “hidden costs” of cancer create a substantial economic burden for the entire community through financial loss, lost productivity, ongoing health problems, reduced quality of life and premature death.
According to a recent study, one in three people diagnosed with cancer end up struggling with a mental health disorder, the most common affecting cancer patients being anxiety disorders (including PTSD) and adjustment disorders. Population-based data suggests that cancer survivors are more than twice as likely to have disabling psychological problems compared with adults without cancer, and individuals who have both cancer and other chronic illnesses have a risk of psychological disability that is nearly 6 times higher than that of adults without cancer. The family members of those going through cancer are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety, particularly in the case of those who are acting in a caregiver role. According to the National Cancer Institute, depressive symptoms in caregivers can be similar to, or even higher than in patients with cancer.
Cancer Care Services partners with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers to improve their quality of life and empower them to care for their overall health. We accomplish this by providing case management and financial assistance to access critical health care services, as well as coordinating emotional/mental health and psychosocial support services that help clients improve their overall well-being, both short and long term.
Board of Directors
Joseph Austin
Attorney
Jesse Booher, CPA
Shareholder | Alexander Booher & Assoc.
Peggy Booher
Community Volunteer
Cameron Brown, D.Min.
Staff Care Chaplain| Cook Children’s, TCU, FW Fire Dept.
LaRhonda Brown-Barrett
Attorney
Stevie Dawn Carter, PhD – Board Chair
Founder | Orange Compass
Nanny Christie, PhD
Psychologist – Retired
Rosemary Galdiano, RN
Manager, Wellness for Life Services | Texas Health Fort Worth
Karen Garcia, CPA
Audit Supervisor | BKD
Jackie Gibbons
Community Volunteer
Travis Hopkins, MBA
HR Consultant/Producer | Frost Insurance
Deloris Hummel
Investment Manager | Bank of Texas
Audie Kuhn
Advancement | TCU
Cristy LePori, RN
Manager Outpatient Infusion/Thoracic Oncology Navigator | Texas Health Harris Hospital
Rosalyn Levy
Control Manager | JP Morgan Chase
Rudolph Martinez
Realtor
Dustin Miles
Entrepreneur | Cowtown Capital LLC
Betty Nethery
Community Volunteer
Ann-Margaret Ochs, D.O.
Medical Oncologist | Texas Oncology
Jane Oderberg, LMSW
Project Coordinator | UNT Health Science Center
Chianna Rodgers
Financial Planner, Principal | Secure Matrix Insurance
Sue Shields, RN
Retired – Director, Cancer Program | Texas Health Fort Worth
Louann Schulze, D.Ed.
Retired – College Administrator/Counselor | TCC Trinity River Campus
Melanie Stevenson
Community Volunteer
Robert Sturns, MBA
Director, Economic Development | City of Fort Worth
Steve Troy
Owner | Troy Financial
Tonya Veasey
President | Public Affairs OCGPR
Misty Wilder
Community Health/Healthy Start Program Manager | UNT Health Science Center
Financials
Cancer Care Services Annual Audit 2017
Cancer Care Services Annual Audit 2016
Cancer Care Services 2016 Form 990
Foundations:
Thank you to the following foundations and organizations for helping us further our mission through their generous financial support during 2018.
Aegon Transamerica Foundation
Alcon Foundation
Paul E. Andrew Foundation
Arlington Tomorrow Foundation
C. B. Baird Foundation
BBVA Foundation
BNSF Foundation
The Capper Foundation
Amon G. Carter Foundation
Colleyville Women’s Club
Joe and Jessie Crump Foundation
Ken W. Davis Foundation
M. S. Doss Foundation
The DuBose Family Foundation
Genentech Foundation
Jeanne and Roy J. Grogan Charitable Fund
HNC Living Foundation
The Hodges Foundation
The Hyde Foundation
Lockheed Martin AERO Club
The Lowe Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Texas
The Morris Foundation
Network for Good
Pfizer Foundation
Marty Potishman Lard Trust
R4 Foundation
Ed Rachal Foundation
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
The Ryan Foundation
Guido and Ruth Shumake Charitable Trust
The Sportsmen’s Club
United Way
The Walsh Foundation
Gil and Dody Weaver Foundation
Corporations:
Thank you to the following corporations for helping us further our mission through their generous financial support during 2017.
Allstate Insurance Company
Apex Capital Corporation
Federated Insurance
Fellfab Corporation
Fit Body Boot Camp
Fort Worth Country Day School
Junior League of Fort Worth, Inc.
Oakline Floors
Pull-A-Part
Quilters’ Guild of Arlington
Sigma Lambda Gamma Omicron Beta
SourceHOV Tax
Southlake Women’s Club
Susan G. Komen Greater Fort Worth
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Texas Oncology
The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Transamerica
Troy and Associates LLC
Unity Church of Fort Worth
UNT Health Science Center
Heroes of Hope Corporate Mission Partners:
