Daisy Drop honors cancer fight

Cast Off Against Cancer raises more than $54,000

Intermittent showers and muggy heat didn’t dampen the joy Sunday at Cancer Navigators’ annual Cast Off Against Cancer event.

“I’m feeling fine and I’m glad to be alive,” said Kelley Clinton, a breast cancer survivor who finished her treatment in March.

Clinton, her husband, Ed Clinton, and their 6-year-old son Townes Clinton were among the dozens of survivors, family members and supporters who cast celebration and remembrance daisies into the Oostanaula River from the Chief John Ross Memorial Bridge.

Fifteen teams raised $54,203 for the local nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser of the year, according to Scharla Battle, community outreach manager.

“We rely 100-percent on donations, so this is important,” said Virginia Harman, who chairs the board of directors. “And (Cancer Navigators) manages to take each dollar and turn it into $7 or $8, buying nutrition supplements and things cancer patients need at home at deep discounts.”

The 10-year-old agency that helps cancer patients and their families with support services was the brainchild of Harbin Clinic oncologist Dr. Matthew Mumber. He said it grew from his realization in 2001 that there was a need to support people with more than just conventional treatment such as radiation.

Now, the unique community-based organization offers free help with a range of needs, from transportation and financial assistance to counseling, nutrition and special programs such as massage and yoga.

“We have top-echelon medical services here and top-echelon support services,” said Mumber, who is a major do- nor. “Cancer Navigators is one of them.”

Harman said a diagnosis of cancer brings a range of non-medical problems. She told of patients who didn’t have the gas money to get to regular treatments, and grandmothers who skipped appointments so they could buy Christmas presents for their grandchildren.

In one case, a woman on her third breast cancer diagnosis came in distraught because she couldn’t bring herself to tell her husband. Counseling helped.

“She had other resources, but she was thinking about her family,” Harman said with a catch in her voice.

After the Daisy Drop, the group headed back to Heritage Park where Battle announced the team and individual awards:

Most money raised: First place, Floyd Medical Center Oncology Department; Second place, Heritage First Bank; Third place, Alicia’s Anchors.

Most team spirit: First place, Rally Warriors of FMC Coordinated Care; Second place, Quality Pirates of FMC Quality Care; Third place, Pink Floyd of The Breast Center at Floyd.

Best supporter: Michelle Cleary.

Outstanding survivor: Ethel Evans.

Contributed photo Jackie Walburn tosses a daisy into the Oostanaula River on Sunday during the Cast Off Against Cancer fundraiser.

Diane Wagner / Rome News-Tribune Bagpiper Tyler Lembcke plays as cancer survivors, their families and supporters cross onto the pedestrian bridge.

ABOVE: Cast Off Against Cancer participants make their way to the pedestrian bridge to drop daisies into the Oostanaula in honor or in memory of someone with cancer.

LEFT: Angel James (left), Cancer Navigators’ service navigator manager, and Scharla Battle (right), Cancer Navigators’ community outreach manager, congratulate Allen Stephens and the Floyd Medical Center oncology department for raising $12,454.88 during the fundraiser.

Photos contributed and by Diane Wagner, RN-T BELOW: Kelley Clinton (left), a cancer survivor, and her husband, Ed Clinton prepare to drop their daisies into the river.

Dr. Matt Mumber