Message from the Director:

Each year in Northwest Arkansas, thousands of individuals are diagnosed with cancer. Although we are lucky to live in one of the most prosperous communities in the country, a cancer diagnosis can have a dramatic affect both financially and emotionally for any family. Over seven years ago, in recognition of the fact that many patient’s financial and emotional needs were unmet, forward thinking cancer survivors and oncology specialists came together to create an organization that could begin to address those needs. HOPE, Inc., founded in 2001, has answered that call and more, over its five years of existence. Since 2001, HOPE has help thousands of cancer patients and their families cope financially with the crisis of their diagnosis. We have helped patients gain access to over $2,500,000 in prescription medication, through both direct financial assistance and pharmaceutical company-sponsored programs. We have given over $300,000 in gifts to patients to assist with housing and transportation needs during treatment, giving families peace of mind during this difficult time. We also provide emotional support to individuals and families as they journey through cancer treatment and beyond.

While we deal day-to-day with patient’s immediate needs, we are also looking to the future of cancer care through clinical trials research. HOPE’s founding directors saw the need to give local patients access to cutting edge research without the burden of travel. Over the past several years, HOPE’s research staff has opened over a dozen new clinical trials in NWA, expanding local cancer research. In partnership with the physicians of Highlands Oncology Group, Dr. Randall Hightower at the Washington Regional Specialty Clinic, NARTI, and the doctors at the NWA Urology Associates, HOPE is studying better ways to treat gynecological, lung, prostate and breast cancers. Our research program has so much promise in growth and in making a difference in the future of cancer care in Northwest Arkansas.

Of course, our services would not be possible without three very important groups. First, the Cancer Challenge organization, which has raised over $7,000,000 for cancer support agencies over the past 15 years, gave HOPE the seed money to begin five years ago and has continued to support HOPE each year since. Another big factor in our success is the Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Through funds from Komen grants, HOPE is able to help hundreds of breast cancer patients each year, assuring that no breast cancer patient is left behind during her treatment. Lastly, the generous nature of the NWA community has allowed us to blossom into the organization that we are to day. Individual and corporate donations, along with our own fundraising efforts, are the foundation of our budget and allow us to grow and thrive each year to meet the challenges of serving each and every cancer patient that seeks assistance. Community support is vital to our continuation.

HOPE continues to grow and we will remain busy as we continue to meet the increasing demands of patient needs, expand research efforts and look to answer the call for new and innovative programs as needed in the community. Please take a look at our website and let us know if you or a loved one might need help or if you can help provide HOPE to a local cancer patient.

--Cyndi Bilyeu, Executive Director