Chailland shares in patients journey

Melody Chailland lives and breathes for the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN) of Southeast Missouri and the people served through the not-for-profit agency.

Chailland’s position as executive director is more than a job to her. She goes through the patient’s struggles with them. She shares their goals. She cries with them when test results are not great and she cries tears of joy when they ring the bell proclaiming they are cancer free.

While her job often is heartbreaking, Chailland turns those emotions into motivation to touch more people for fundraising as well as helping others to continue their battles.

Chailland remembers her “friends” who’ve been involved in UCAN even in a small way.

A few months ago, UCAN was the recipient of a bequeath from an estate. The person had minor involvement in UCAN attending a support group and picnics. Chailland recalled the person, stories about the time spent with UCAN like she had taken part in many events. In Chailland’s heart, the woman was important to UCAN and her friend.

Chailland feels UCAN is a mission given to her by God. She finds ways she can pinch pennies so the organization funded by community donation has more to help “her” friends during their often heartbreaking and difficult journey.