Fireside Fund donations help cancer patient stay warm

Thanks to the continued support of the Fireside Fund campaign, Sumter United Ministries continues to assist residents with crisis-related heat requests, said Kevin Howell, crisis relief director.

Recently, he said, a new client visited the crisis relief ministry for assistance with an electric final notice; she heats her home with electric heat only.

The client has worked all of her life and is a medical assistant in her current place of employment, he said.

Normally she earns well and lives independently, but in the last year she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and lost her work income.

Many cancer patients are only considered "short-term" disabled, Howell said, meaning they may not qualify for Social Security disability options and will only receive compensation if they have benefits with their employer.

This client relied on family support and SNAP benefits, he said, and was completely without income.

She recently finished her last chemotherapy treatment and had a surgery just three weeks ago, he said.

Though she has a job to return to once she is able to work again and her daughter moved in to assist her while she recovers, Howell said the client's trial will persist until she is well.

The crisis relief ministry assisted with hundreds of dollars to alleviate the disconnection threat to her electric service, he said.

"The client was extremely grateful," he said.

"It was a moment of joy and gratitude that donors have provided the funds to assist a client in a situation like this one," he said.

Howell said many clients with valid cases just like this are in need of help and are anxious about having adequate heat in the days ahead.

Please consider donating to the Fireside Fund campaign, he said, and spread a little joy and love this season.

Donations received the week ending Tuesday, Nov. 27:

Jane Tisdale, $100; Zoar Homemakers Club, $25; Jackie Olsen, in memory of Maj. Gen. Thomas Olsen, $50; Hugh and Louise Stoddard, $50; American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15, $150; Graham Baptist Church Men's class, $100; Charles and Suzanne Fienning, in loving memory of Roger Ackerman, $250; and Bobby Sigley, in loving memory of Charles Jenkins, Arthur James and Willis Ardis, $10.

Total this week: $735

Total this year: $2,935

Total last year: $48,601.18

Total since 1969: $1,583,347.25