Sablan assured the membership that funds raised in the CNMI will remain here to benefit cancer patients and the community at large through patient services, programs, education and hope.
CCA provides financial assistance to cancer survivors and cancer patients, to include the purchasing of ensure or glucerna milk, adult diapers, bed pads, baby wipes, and other consumables related to the diagnosis, treatment and comfort measures.
Assistance is also extended to the loaning of hospital bed, oxygen concentrator, suction machine, walker, wheel chair, alternating air mattress, etc.
To receive assistance, however, the cancer patient/survivor must be a resident and domicile in the commonwealth for three or more years, and must present a prescription from the attending physician for the assistance requested.
A heartfelt appeal was made for understanding.
“We’ve heard the call from patients and individuals to increase the amount of financial support. The board’s gut wrenching decision to limit the annual amount to $500 per patient is to ensure we can operate within our annual budget and that we have enough for all,” Sablan said.
“In our effort to provide patients hope, we will be lobbying to ensure the Health Care Decisions Act and the Cancer Registry Act legislation are passed and signed into law,” he added.
He noted the hard work done by the board members in reorganizing the structure of CCA, which was under the auspices of CHC Volunteers.
CCA has since then been licensed as a non-profit association, and subsequently applied with the Internal Revenue Service for the 501©3 status. Through this status, the association can apply for the many grants available to augment the programs and services for the community.
The group’s other officers are Clarence “Bud” White, vice president; Jocelyn Songsong, secretary; Maggie Camacho, treasurer; board members include Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero, Bobbie Grizzard and Robert Torres.
The non-voting members are Dr. Jack Hardy as the senior adviser, and Nancy Gottfried as the legal adviser.
For more information, call 682-0050, visit www.ccamarianas.org or send an e-mail to [email protected].
