Challenge advocates, supports cancer care

Tell us about your organization:

■ Mission:

Advocating and supporting world class cancer care in Northwest Arkansas since 1993

■ Services provided:

Cancer

Challenge support services providing state-of-the-art treatment, financial and emotional assistance, transportation, early-detection screenings, bereavement services, tobacco prevention and cessation, community education and

outreach, pediatric cancer care, clinical trials, hospice charity care and bereavement, genetic counseling, and wellness programs for survivors.

■ Service area: Northwest Arkansas Region

■ Average number of people served annually: We have provided cancer services to more than 425,000 people since our inception.

How is your organization’s mission unique? We are a local charity that raises funds and invest 100 percent into our local community to help our friends and neighbors.

Why do you work for a nonprofit organization? I have always been a philanthropic person and liked to give back. I like the idea that you can make a difference in someone’s life and create change to make the community that we live in better. I have volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations but always found myself returning to volunteer at Cancer Challenge. In 2015, I was asked to join the staff and knew it was a good fit for me and the right timing.

Do you have a personal connection to the mission? I have had many friends and family members battle cancer. I’ve seen my children’s classmates drive to Little Rock for chemo. Hearing the stories of having to travel so far for treatment when you’re already sick made me want to help bring better treatment and facilities to Northwest Arkansas. We have come so far in the 25 years of Cancer Challenge existence, and we are excited about the next 25 years and what the future holds for cancer care in Northwest Arkansas.

What part of your job fills the most of your time? Prospecting new sponsors in an effort to introduce them to the programs and services supported by Cancer Challenge.

What have you learned on the job that you didn’t expect? Northwest Arkansas is a very giving community. Our donors are made up of corporate sponsors, volunteers and event participants who have supported the Cancer Challenge for 25 years! Because of their investment we are able to partner with seven grantees to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatment, financial and emotional assistance, transportation, screening and clinical trials.

What challenges face your organization? The growing number of people requesting financial assistance and being able to meet the increasing number of grant requests for funding. Our Board of Directors is a dynamic, engaged group of executives who work very hard to discover and fill missing gaps in cancer care in Northwest Arkansas.

Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? We recruit about 350 volunteers a year to assist with our annual event being held June 13-16. We could hold our event without the community support we receive in volunteer hours. Volunteer Registration can be found on our website cancerchallenge.com. There are a variety of positions, shifts, day and times.

What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? Sept. 8 — HOG Ride On: Biking event sponsored by Highlands Oncology to benefit the Cancer Challenge.

Burke