"Neighbors needed to help neighbors" was the call that went out in early August, leading 10 new volunteers to come forward and complete the orientation/training session held for the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery program for Wilkes County.

"The Washington-Wilkes community has responded in its usual grand fashion to the request for volunteers to assist cancer patients in transportation to treatment," said Cathy Lannae, American Cancer Society volunteer and cancer patient.

Washington-Wilkes ACS partner Danielle Truan said she was amazed with the great response to Wilkes County's request for help for Road to Recovery. "This is the largest group I have trained for the Road to Recovery program," she said. In addition to enlisting new drivers, Kathryn Anderson volunteered to take the lead as program coordinator. "Kathryn Anderson's administrative background brings an organizational aspect to the program that will assure its smooth running for the benefit of both cancer patients and volunteers," Truan said.

Anderson assumed the role bringing to it an impressive career in business administration, Lannae said, her final position being with the American Cancer Society's Atlanta Headquarters office of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research. The Andersons relocated in 2003 to Wilkes County to build their retirement home. Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Rev. Edward Anderson, are active members of New Ford Baptist Church in Danburg. Mrs. Anderson serves on the planning

.......................................... committee of Relay For Life and is ......

.. the organizer of the Wilkes County

............

.. Toastmasters Club.

Two additional programs offer ..........

assistance to Wilkes County cancer ........

.............................. patients. The Cancer Relief Fund

.......................................................................................... ...... was created by Bunny Boyd Gunby ............................................

in 1998. During the past ten years

.................................... this program has provided essential

..............

support to Wilkes County cancer

....................................

..................

patients by providing monies for

..........................

....

transportation to treatment. The ......................

................

..........

non-profit fund receives its primary ................

support from the Beta Sigma Phi

........................

Eta Omicron Sorority and local ......................

churches. Information and applications

may be obtained from Diane Compton at 706-274-3294.

The T.J. and Friends Foundation is a non-profit corporation

that operates from Elbert County. ....................................

The foundation provides help to

.................... cancer patients in Elbert and its

six contiguous counties including

..........................

.................. Wilkes. There are three specific requirements for qualification for

..............................

assistance. The information and

application can be obtained at their ........................

....

website tjandfriendsfoundation.

........................ .. com. Wilkes County residents can

contact Blake Thompson at 706-

............ .............. 678-7837 for more information. ..

.. Call toll free Road to Recovery

........ at 800-227-2345 for application information. Further information can

....................................

be provided by Summer Garrison

................

at 706-731-9900 or Cathy Lannae ..............................

..................

.................................. at 706-678-2862.

..........