News : Party in Pink 5K: Will Mike Timmermans wear a tutu?

So far, the Virginia Gay Hospital Foundation Gifts of Hope Fund has helped 14 area women pay for medical services.

Foundation Director Mike Timmermans says he hopes more women will ask for help.

“Our fund balance is just over $30,000, thanks to all the efforts of the people, teams and organizations mentioned below,” says Timmermans. “We’ve helped 14 and are talking with several now – and we would certainly like to help more. We have the ability and the motivation to do so. Talk to your doctor or even someone in the Survivors Group for help if you have questions. This is for women’s services, not just breast exams and treatment.”

The next big fund-raiser for the Gifts of Hope is the 3rd Annual Party in Pink 5K event, which takes place Friday, June 26, as part of the Party in the Park weekend.

Members of the Survivors of Benton County have announced a new registration drive promotion: If they receive 150 new event registrations by Thursday June 11, Timmermans will wear a tutu to the race!
June 12 is the last day to register and be guaranteed a T-shirt.
Click HERE for the on-line event registration page.

The Gifts of Hope history

In the winter of 2010 the Vinton-Shellsburg girls basketball team organized their first “pink night” basketball game. The goal was to do what they could to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer and to recognize local women who are survivors in their battle with the disease. It was a huge success. Their efforts have become a tradition that has been joined by other VS athletic teams and local individuals, businesses and organizations and has grown into a program of financial assistance administered by Virginia Gay Hospital called Gifts of Hope.

Soon after the basketball game in 2010, the women who were honored decided to meet regularly to support and encourage each other and anyone else who wants to join them as they and their families battled and recovered from breast cancer. The group is now known as the Survivors of Benton County. They meet regularly, and if you’d like more information about the group you can contact Lu Karr at Monkeytown or Angie Tharp at Tharp Design. The “Survivors” have joined the effort to raise funds to battle breast cancer by organizing the Party in Pink 5k run/walk that is held during the Party in the Park community celebration (this year it’s June 26th). They have raised nearly $20,000 in just 2 years.

Another major supporter of the Gifts of Hope fund is the Rick and Paula Murphy family. They have hosted a golf tournament for 15 years, long before Gifts of Hope was organized. Their mission is to help as many families as they can until the battle against cancer is won. Their efforts have resulted in donations of over $100,000 to VGH and other organizations such as hospice care, CaringBridge etc.

Gifts of Hope provides free mammograms and diagnostic services for women (and men) who need financial assistance. Pap tests and/or pelvic exams are also available for women who need them.

NO APPLICATION IS NECESSARY

Gifts of Hope will pay for your appointment, testing, and up to $2500 for any additional help you may need with treatment, insurance deductibles and co-pays etc. All you need to do is ask! Please contact your medical provider or the hospital business office if you have any questions.