Matching Missions of Donors and Nonprofits
Community Foundation of Utah Helps Facilitate Meaningful Philanthropy
JANUARY 26, 2016 SALT LAKE CITY – The Cancer Wellness House is the first nonprofit organization to benefit from the generosity of the Canceirge Foundation, a philanthropic fund administered by the Community Foundation of Utah, aimed at supporting nonprofits who are improving the quality of lives of cancer patients.
“Created by individuals who have been personally affected by cancer — losing a wife, a husband, a mother, a best friend, we have come together and dedicated ourselves to helping support organizations and programs that provide services for cancer patients’ needs and improve the quality of their lives,” said Tom Peterson, founder of the Cancierge Foundation.
Although initially unaware of each other, both the Cancer Wellness House and Cancierge Foundation were simultaneously strategizing regarding respite support services activities for cancer patients. The difference was that Cancer Wellness House was concerned about how they would fund this new and much needed program, while the Cancierge Foundation was more concerned with finding the right nonprofit organization(s) to offer funding for this type of program.
With help from the Cancierge Foundation, Cancer Wellness House has recently updated their kitchen with a new stove and freezer. Now with an additional grant award of $5,000, Cancer Wellness House will be able to offer other respite activities such as transportation, through the Cancer Wellness House Cares program. Thanks to the relationships of the Canceriege Foundation, many service providers are offering their services at reduced rates, in order to get the most out of the donated funds. Partners such as Uber, Maidpro, and Rasmussen Landscapes have all pledged their support for this programming.
“It’s amazing how something as simple as preparing a meal, or providing transportation, can really make a huge impact on the life of someone with a cancer diagnosis. Transportation can mean the difference in getting medication or treatment. As simple as it sounds, these services can save lives,” said Kendra Baum, executive director of the Cancer Wellness House.
Since announcing the new program, Cancer Wellness House has arranged more than 90 UBER rides provided free of charge. With the high demand, UBER rides are only one of many services that will be provided through the new Cancer Wellness House CARES program. Future services will include healthy pre-made meals for cancer patients and their families, a volunteer respite support program, and peer-to-peer mentoring for patients and caregivers, and more.
The Cancierge Foundation raises funds several ways, including through an annual golf tournament held in the fall. This generosity is a collective effort of many who recognize that a diagnosis of cancer is not just stressful for the patient, but for the entire family and support is an important contributor to the success of treatment.
“It is our goal to provide funding for nonprofits that can provide cancer patients and their loved ones resources that reduce the distress associated with cancer treatment so they can focus on battling this rapacious disease,” says Peterson. The support given to the Cancer Wellness House is what the Cancierge Foundation hopes is just the beginning of a larger effort to support the non-medical side of healing for cancer patients. Grant requests can be submitted by nonprofit organizations at any time and can be found at www.utahcf.org.
“The most meaningful gifts are those that perfectly match the mission of the donors with that of a nonprofit organization. The connection between the Cancierge Foundation and Cancer Wellness house is a perfect demonstration of this and we are honored to help facilitate this meaningful form of community philanthropy,” said Katherine Fife, Director of Philanthropy for the Community Foundation of Utah.
About Cancierge Foundation
The Cancierge Foundation, a field of interested fund of the Community Foundation of Utah, was created in 2014 by individuals who have been personally affected by cancer. The Foundation provides funding for programs that connect services and resources to cancer patients and their families. Ultimately, the main priority of Cancierge Foundation is to facilitate the process and enable cancer patients and their families to influence aspects of their health care and daily life activities, ultimately improving the quality of their lives. To learn more, to get involved, or make a donation, visit www.canciergefoundation.com.
About Cancer Wellness House
Cancer Wellness House has been serving the Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Front since 1997 during which time they have provided services to more than 10,000 people affected by a cancer diagnosis through their mission is to support people living with cancer and their families in a homelike setting. If you are a cancer patient in need of support, or a community member who wants to get involved please visit our website www.cancer-wellness.org for more information. Join us in our commitment to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone.
About the Community Foundation of Utah
The Community Foundation of Utah is a catalyst for philanthropy that is visionary, diverse, and inclusive. For more information go to www.utahcf.org, call (801)559-3005, or email Community Foundation of Utah Executive Director, Alex Eaton at alex@utahcf.org.
