Nov 6, 2009 6:17 pm US/Mountain
Cancer Patients Get Sense of Security
Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith
DENVER (CBS4) ―
In November of 2008, Cindy Shook found out that not only does she have bilateral breast cancer, but that it has spread throughout most of her body.
"It's devastating because it's life and death," Shook told CBS4.
The stakes are high for Shook because she's the sole provider for her 14-year-old son. She worries about what will happen to him if she loses her battle.
"It's just take one day at a time," she said.
Shook's world has been turned upside down by the diagnosis. She used to work 40-hours-a-week as a bookkeeper. Now she's on Social Security disability, collecting a fraction of what she used to earn.
"It's hard when you juggle whether you eat, or drive, or get your medicine," Shook told CBS4.
She's also facing astronomical medical bills.
"One shot that I got was a $10,000 shot," Shoot explained. "I don't know how people can make it without help."
Luckily, Shook is getting help from an organization called Sense of Security. For 9 years, Sense of Security has offered financial assistance to breast cancer patients. They provide up to $500 a month to patients going through treatment. The money can be used to pay any of their bills.
"We think of the breast cancer patient, but unfortunately it's also the breast cancer patient and their families that's affected by all this," said Rita McCoy, director of Sense of Security.
Need is up this year, and the program is facing a waiting list of patients just like Shook.
"I'd say about 22 people on that waiting list who are at home waiting to hear back from us," McCoy explained.
Shook uses the money she to help pay her rent, without she's sure she and her son would be homeless by now.
"They definitely came to the rescue for me."
Additional Resources:
Sense of Security is holding its annual fundraiser on Saturday, November 7th. The Champagne & Diamonds Gala will be held at the Inverness Hotel at 7pm.
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