Foundation of YRMC brings awareness to childhood cancer
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The Foundation of Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC) is looking to shine a light on the cause.
The Foundation of YRMC is known for its outreach to the community when people face difficult times. Now, the goal is to provide critical resources all while sending a message of hope to local children facing a terrible illness.
Till the end of the month, the hospital will be lit up in gold to support families who have a young one dealing with cancer.
The foundation has set up a fund to benefit families who may have to travel out of town for doctor's appointments and treatment.
“That’s a financial burden,” Jackie Woodwell admitted. “That was really one of the driving forces for establishing this fund,” she added.
Woodwell, the foundation director, says this cause is often under-represented.
“Childhood cancer is underfunded with only 4 percent of our resource budget going towards childhood cancer research. So we really want people to be aware and we really want families throughout Yuma County to know that we are with them in the fight,” she said.
The foundation hopes families understand there’s assistance out there.
“It’s really simple, the only criteria is that the patient is under the age of 21 and that they live in Yuma County to qualify to receive financial contributions,” she explained.
You at home can get involved by lighting the city in support.
If you donate to the fund, the foundation has a gold light bulb waiting for you.
They’re encouraging you to light your porch in gold so the entire community can see and enjoy the symbol of support to the youngest cancer patients in our area.