Schaumburg firefighters support local cancer patients with gift to NCH Foundation
Schaumburg Firefighter-Paramedics recently made a special visit to Northwest Community Healthcare's (NCH) Cancer Services Department to present a check for $20,000 to help patients served by the NCH Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. The grant was made possible by the outstanding fundraising efforts from Local 4092's Schaumburg Firefighters' 2023 Pink Tie Ball.
Oncology Social Worker Kim Jensen, who administers the fund, expressed the tremendous gratitude of the patients and explained the critical nature of the emergency assistance to those gathered.
"The goal of the Cancer Patient Assistance fund is to accompany patients in need during treatment and help allay their fears about how they will pay their household expenses," said Jensen. "We want the patient to focus on getting well and this fund allows that by providing assistance with utility bills, rent or mortgage, or even gas and food."
Lieutenant Jenna Werdell, chairperson of the event, as well as Firefighter-Paramedics Mike Whelan, Jeanine Liska, Monique DeAvilla, Eric Vitols, Nick Rivera, Kyle Marcussen and members of the Schaumburg Firefighters Fighting Cancer Committee were on hand to present the grant and reflected on the hard work and dedication of hundreds of people who helped make the Pink Tie Ball another resounding success.
"Since we have decided to work with the NCH Foundation, we have been beyond pleased to know that our funds raised go directly to those local community members that desperately need financial and emotional support during their times of need," said Werdell. "That was always the goal of the Schaumburg Firefighters and that is the joint mission with the team at NCH."
Accepting the check on behalf of NCH were the Executive Director of Cancer Services, Rhea Trbojevic, NCH Foundation Executive Director, David Ungurean, and Medical Director for Cancer Services, Stephen Nigh, M.D.
For information on the Firefighters' Pink Tie Ball and their next event being planned for April 5, 2024, visit pinktieball4092.com or email pinktieball4092@gmail.com.
To learn more about the NCH Foundation and the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund visit nch.org/foundation.