T-shirts available for annual Sarah White Walk, April 29

The T-shirts for the United Cancer Assistance Network’s annual Sarah White Walk Saturday, April 29, are ready to be purchased at the UCAN office.

This year’s shirts say “Fear not for I am with you,” from Isaiah 43:5, along with the names of some who have battled cancer, said executive director Melody Chailland. The event began in 2012, and “we started putting names on T-shirts in 2015.”

The walk is to remember cancer patients and raise awareness and funds to help patients battling cancer.

The walk will begin at 10 a.m., but for those planning to participate, Chailland said, “We ask you be here about 9:30 a.m.”

While participating in the walk is free, it is one of the biggest fundraising events of the organization, she said. Teams often form and raise funds to donate to those served by UCAN.

UCAN serves cancer patients in Butler, Stoddard, Wayne and Ripley counties, she said.

Some teams are coworkers at a business or factory who want to raise funds to help cancer patients. Other teams are friends and/or family members who raise funds in honor of cancer patients in their family or group of friends.

For anyone interested in forming a team, “we have packets available,” Chailland said.

All the money used by UCAN is raised locally and, according to Chailland, the group receives community grants but no government grant funding. The funds assist local cancer patients financially in the form of fuel cards, nutrition, utilities, wigs or transportation. While UCAN fills a financial gap, the program is designed to provide individualized support for patients. When patients come into the UCAN office, they are greeted by volunteers whose lives have been touched by cancer. Often developing personal relationships, volunteers and patients uplift each other during visits, members have said.

UCAN is looking for vendors who can provide information beneficial to cancer patients and their families.

“If you’re a business or organization that has information that would benefit cancer patients and their families, we would love (you) to join us that day to hand out literature or whatever else,” Chailland said.

Contact her to see if you qualify. There will be no charges.

Walk organizers hope to welcome groups like senior volunteer programs, senior housing, hospice, hospitals, medical clinics and transit services that would benefit cancer patients

“People who go into remission don’t necessarily regain their health,” Chailland said. “Maybe it’s a good thing for them to go into the Twin Towers or somewhere so they still have their independence but not have to worry about the general upkeep of their homes. Most people don’t understand how to get involved in the program. It’s so easy to get into senior living with housing and most of the time there are openings.

Anyone or business who would like to participate or anyone wanting to purchase shirts, which are $15 for small to XL and $20 for 2X to 4X, may contact Chailland at 573-776-1892.

Since UCAN is a 501(c)3 organization, donations are tax-deductible. Anyone wanting to make donations or memorials may mail or drop them by the office at 2620 N Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO., 63901-3396.