Christmas Without Cancer (also known as “CWC”) is a local 501(c)3 NFP that was started 18 years ago by an oncology nurse. She was moved by the struggles of families that are undergoing cancer treatments and the toll it takes on these families emotionally, physically and financially. The organization began by “adopting" a family affected by cancer during the Christmas season and CWC would provide the family with gifts and gift cards to offset their financial struggles.

Unfortunately, cancer strikes families at any time and help is needed daily. The goal of the CWC organization is to help families, not only at Christmas but throughout the year. When a family member has a cancer diagnosis, there is always a loss of income that affects the entire family. We have seen parents who can no longer work full time because they are caring for their cancer-stricken child; spouses and parents who are unable to work because they are undergoing treatment and often are unable to pay for their household expenses. In addition, many patients who are unable to pay for their insurance and cancer medications. The pandemic has added additional struggles – loss of employment and insurance, transportation issues, isolation, attending treatments alone, etc.

Over the previous 18 years CWC has helped thousands of local southland families with groceries, medications, gas, rent, mortgage, tuition and travel related expenses for their treatments. In 2020, CWC helped 146 families throughout the year and 25 families this past Christmas. CWC gave local cancer patients $35,475 in gift cards for gas, medications and groceries. CWC also assisted families with mortgage, rent, tuition and household expenses totaling $85,869. During the Christmas season, CWC spent $75,487 providing much needed holiday joy to families.

This year we will host our third Harvesting Hope fundraiser to be held on November 6, 2021 at 115 Bourbon Street. Our hope is to collect even more funds to continue our mission to help local families fighting this challenging disease. We are asking for your help to achieve our goal with a donation. We will be having basket raffles, food and various games. Any donation you or your company could make would be greatly appreciated.

On behalf of the Christmas Without Cancer team and the local cancer patients and families who will benefit from your potential donation, we thank you for your consideration.