The United Cancer Assistance Network has provided $1.9 million in direct funding to cancer patients in the past 20 years.
A homegrown charity, UCAN doesn't receive any government funding, said executive director Melody Melloy.
All of that support has come from community members like those who will show up Saturday for the 2018 Sarah Jarboe White UCAN Walk.
The event will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Danny Bell Cancer Treatment Center on North Westwood Boulevard with a blessing and a presentation.
More than 2,000 T-shirts have been sold already and approximately $23,000 in donations have been collected, said Melloy, who expects to see a large turnout.
First-time participant Mid-Continent Nail has put together a team of almost 60 people, and other longtime teams are expected to show up with dozens of walkers, Melloy said.
New this year will be Messages to Heaven, which allows participants to attach hand-written notes to biodegradable balloons.
Food vendors have also been added to the event, including Jen's Diner and others.
Members of Boys & Girls Club will be on hand to do face painting.
Money raised from this event and during the year allowed UCAN to help more than 200 cancer patients in 2017, Melloy said.
UCAN serves Butler, Stoddard, Wayne and Ripley counties with everything from nutritional supplements, to transportation assistance, fuel expenses, medical supplies and daily living expenses.
Transport vans provided nearly 2,700 rides to patients in the past year, Melloy said.
"We knew there was a need. That's why we implemented the program. We did not understand how great the need was," she said.
Much of the money donated to UCAN comes from memorials, she said.
Support from the community has been phenomenal, Melloy said.