Santa Maria fundraising organization Cruzin’ for Life again delivered a feast of funds for local cancer patients through its annual Valentine’s Day Crab Feed benefit event.
Generating a large audience, the annual dinner raised $25,000. The donation furthers Cruzin’ for Life’s title as the largest third-party event donor to Marian Cancer Care at Mission Hope Cancer Center in Santa Maria.
Cruzin’ for Life’s support has helped provide for the transportation needs of the integrated cancer center. Through its support, the gift has helped raise significant funding for the operation of the center’s Patient Transportation Service.
The transit service provides for a patient’s travel to and from medical appointments at the cancer center. Since June 2012, total transportation by the passenger van and Prius has resulted in more than 21,000 total transports.
“When Mission Hope Cancer Center opened its doors in 2012, we knew that the community would rally support around this cancer center,” said Dr. Robert Dichmann, medical director of Marian Cancer Program.
“Cruzin’ for Life has embodied the giving nature of the community, and we simply could not operate as effectively without their generosity,” he said.
In addition to featuring advanced, lifesaving technology, Mission Hope Cancer Center offering support services for patients including free educational lectures, support group, nutrition and exercise classes.
With social, health, financial and emotional support for cancer patients, each individual is equipped to better focus on their treatment plan.
Marian Cancer Care at Mission Hope Cancer Center has been a beneficiary of Cruzin’ for Life, which has donated $1,226,300 since 2006 to patients on the Central Coast.
For more about Marian Regional Medical Center, visit http://www.dignityhealth.org/marianregional/.
— Megan Maloney for Cruzin’ for Life.