For almost 20 years, the Community Breast Care Project foundation has put a personal touch on caring for Mid-Missouri women through a breast cancer diagnosis.
And despite hardships in 2020 - the COVID-19 pandemic that canceled fundraising efforts and foundation Director Lorie Smith's sudden passing - foundation board President Mariam Kuensting has a message for the community: "We're still here. We've done a lot of good over the last 20 years, and that's going to continue."
Founded in 2002 by a group of health care professionals, community leaders and individuals impacted by breast cancer, CBCP helps breast cancer patients with the non-medical side of the process - a listening ear or financial aid if times get tough.
"Sometimes you don't need a nurse telling you, 'Oh, well you've got positive nodes ' It's not all medical; it's personal," Kuensting said. "That's what we strive for, to be there for the non-medical care of the woman. When you hear that word 'cancer,' you're scared to death; you know you're going to die and something horrible is going to happen."
With a handful of CBCP board members survivors themselves or members of the medical community, Kuensting said they're always willing to talk with those recently diagnosed, letting them know while it might be tough and scary at times, breast cancer is not a death sentence. She noted a recent conversation with a woman who was newly diagnosed and beside herself in fear; they chatted for more than an hour.
While not a survivor herself, Kuensting has had 14 women in her family over three generations who've gone through breast cancer, and she worked with patients in a local doctor's office from the time they got the diagnosis through the entire treatment process. She's seen the devastation it can create.
Oftentimes, the mental and physical toll can create financial hardship for patients. CBCP helps with that, too.
Newly diagnosed patients are given a notebook for them to store medical information, appointment cards and bills - something to keep all the information in one place. In the back of the notebook is a letter they can fill out and send to the CBCP board requesting financial aid. Forms are also available at numerous doctors' offices in a six-county radius.
To date, the foundation has given out $250,000 - that's 500 $500 checks to patients. Sometimes it helps pay for a new pair of glasses or transportation to appointments.
"It's not a huge amount, but sometimes, it's just what they need," Kuensting said. "It makes a difference. That's why we're doing this. We don't care what they do with the money. It's just there to help them in whatever way they need it."
CBCP raises funds through private donations and community events. They currently host two per year - a Mother's Day 5K and Ride for the Ribbon in early October.
The events were able to resume in 2021, but canceling them in 2020 because of the pandemic was difficult.
"It always seems like when we're struggling the most, that's when something magical will happen, and somebody will make this wonderful donation in memory of a loved one or maybe they were a recipient in the past," she said.
For more information on CBCP or to donate, contact 573-634-4673 or visit www.communitybreastcareproject.life/.